One of the six classes of wheat, Hard Red Spring Wheat is known as the “aristocrat of wheat” because it is primarily used for “designer” wheat foods like hearth breads, rolls, croissants, bagels and pizza crust. Hard Red Spring wheat is also a valued improver in flour blends.
Where is Hard Red Spring Wheat grown?
Hard Red Spring Wheat is primarily grown in the Northern States of Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
What are Hearth Breads and how are they made?
It is typically made as a “straight” bread, meaning that its taste profile is mild, consisting of the light flavors of yeast and wheat. Because this bread is simple and doesn’t carry its own strong flavor, it is a very good option to pair with soups, salads, and a more hearty tasting main dish. It is made very much the same as a regular bread, beginning with combining ingredients in a standing mixer, allowing the dough to rest, shaping the loaf and then baked. Because of its more simple and natural yeast bread taste, this bread is also a great option to use for grilled cheese, toast, sandwiches of other kinds, or French toast. It could also be let out to dry in order to make stuffing, breadcrumbs, or croutons. This truly is a wonderful all-purpose loaf of bread!
History of Hearth Breads
What is a hearth bread? The simplest description is that it is a crusty, chewy bread made from the simplest of ingredients and baked directly on a baking stone or baking sheet, rather than in a loaf pan. Circling back to the roots of this bread making strategy, Europeans once used the fireplace to do most of their cooking and baking. Clay-covered hollows created high temperatures that were ideal for making many different food items. This bread got its name from being cooked on the hearth or one of the aforementioned hollows in front of the fireplace. The women would make the bread dough the night before they planned to make the bread, and then rise early the next morning to set the dough before the heated space in order to bake it.
Hopefully hearing the history of this loaf inspires you to consider the meaning and rich history as you make this bread to enjoy baking and using it any way you like. Be sure to check out this breakfast sandwich recipe to put the claimed versatility of this bread to the test!
Learn more about durum wheat, its milling qualities and exports from our friends at U.S. Wheat Associates.