CSM Bakery Solution’s ancient grains bread mix given new life to boost UK craft bakers’ profits

CSM Bakery Solutions has revitalized its Pantique Ancient Cereals bread mix a with a new name – Pantique Ancient Grains Ultimate bread mix – and a bolder baked appearance.

“The product has been renamed to ensure the baker and consumer understand that it is a bread product as opposed to a breakfast cereal. It builds on the affinity with the grains in the finished bread product,” David Astles, Bread Ingredients production manager at CSM Bakery Solutions, told BakeryandSnacks.

The bread mix taps into current mega trends of sensory and wellness, health and indulgence, comfort and affordability due its premium ingredients and nutritional qualities, claimed the company.

Cultivating wheat and rye ancestors

Astles told us CSM first launched Pantique in 2007 in the UK and across Europe.

“In fact, CSM pioneered the use of ancient grains as an ingredient as they weren’t widely used beforehand. The term ‘ancient grains’ is now an industry standard,” he claimed.

The bread mix is a 50% mix of the ancestors of today’s bread wheat and rye, including Einkorn - purportedly, the oldest known bread grain dating back to 10,000 BC – and Emmer that dates back to 8,000 BC and was considered the ‘Gold of the Egyptians’ and ‘Pharaohs Wheat’.

Einkorn has a nutty flavour, while Emmer is slightly spicy.

Novel mix of ancient grains

According to the Readi-Bake maker, no other bread mix on the market contains Emmer and Einkorn.

The grains are grown exclusively in Austria, and the company has been cultivating them since 2006 through contract farming.

“We have developed very close ties with a number of growers in Austria, as well as the specialist millers there. We have an exclusive and reliable supply of these high quality grains,” said Astles.

“Our Ancient Grains mix can help to increase sales and profit for the baker,” said Astles, noting that consumers are willing to pay more for bread and rolls made with ancient grains. The mix has also been designed to enable bakers to create their own signature breads.

Aiding the craft baker

Aimed at artisanal and craft bakers in the UK, the product, which will be rolled out under the Arkady brand, is available in 16 kg bags and only requires flour, yeast and water to be added.

CSM is also supplying a free POS kit available to help bakers communicate the advantages of breads made with ancient grains to consumers.

The packs contain bread bands, shelf wobblers, posters, stickers and a leaflet dispenser and consumer information leaflets, which include the grains’ history, its flavor profile and the benefits.

“We expect the product to become a staple ingredient for every bread maker,” said Astles.