Van Leuven Sour Dough Bread |
Our breads are created, not manufactured.
Our ethos centres on quality and taste, no matter how long it takes to bake.
We allow our bread to prove slowly on wooden racks in the tradition of the old French bakers. Each loaf is then moulded and shaped, so that no two loaves are ever the same.
This ancient style of breadmaking marks a return to what has largely been a lost art. Until now.
We invite you to taste the difference......
Pain Rustic
This traditional sourdough bread is among our most popular.
Pain Rustic is a breakfast treat, especially toasted and accompanied with smoked or salt-cured ham, salami or pate. For dinner, enjoy it with pasta, pesto or simply toasted with home-grown tomatoes and basil.
Taste: Ripened wheat with a nutty aftertaste.
Crumb: Open crumb, medium to large bubble and a soft, pleasant mouth feel.
Storage: Keeps well if wrapped tightly and placed in a cool, dry place. (Bread should never be refrigerated.)
Pain sur Levain
Van Leuven’s white rye is crafted in the tradition of the ancient paysanne bakers. A blend of white rye flour, milled flour and our unique sourdough results in a textured crumb.
Pain sur Levain’s wholesome characters ensure it is the perfect companion for red wine, meat and pickles. It can be enjoyed lightly toasted for breakfasted or with fermented charcuterie, soups, stews and salads.
Taste: Wholesome with a slight piquant aftertaste.
Crumb: Compact with a small to medium bubble.
Storage: Keeps exceptionally well.
Pain Campagne
This country rye is fermented over 20 hours. Originating from the border of Germany and France, this is a slightly malted blend of dark rye flour with wholemeal, milled and sourdough flour.
This bread is amazing with oysters, shell fish and smoked or cured fish. Wash it down with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Champagne.
Pain Campagne is available with or without caraway seeds.
Taste: Full flavoured malted rye
Crumb: Dark but not too heavy
Storage: Keeps exceptionally well.
Five Grain
Our lightly malted, grained bread features a feast of kibbled wheat, kibbled rye, linseed, sunflower seed and pumpkins seeds. Kneaded slowly to release the fragrant grains, this bread is perfect with mixed salads and good quality blue cheese. A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir will heighten the bread’s subtle qualities.
Five Grain is a very healthy bread, rich in fibre.
Taste: Subtle aromas of the six grains with a hint of roasted pine nuts.
Crumb: Medium to large bubble and slightly crunchy.
Storage: Keeps exceptionally well.
Linseed
The Van Leuven linseed bread is carefully balanced to highlight the slightly watery, cut grass perfume of the linseed. White in colour and refreshing to the palette, this bread is our bread of choice for a salad sandwich or low fat snack. Enjoy with a glass of pure rainwater.
Taste: Watery, cut grass.
Crumb: Soft texture with medium to large bubble.
Storage: In an airtight container, this bread keeps beautifully.
Irish Bairin Breac
An Irish tradition, this fruity loaf is our personal favourite. Made with white rye flour, wholemeal, milled flour and our unique sourdough, this bread is finished with currents, juicey fat raisins, sultanas and cinnamon.
Perfect toasted or dipped in creme anglaise (egg custard sauce) and pan fried with butter before a light dusting with cinnamon and vanilla sugar. THE perfect weekend brunch,
Taste: Spicy and full of fruit.
Crumb: Soft and moist with small to medium bubbles.
Storage: Keeps very well.
Fougasse
Our recipe comes from Provence in the south of France. It’s a soft, delicate crumb, perfumed with first-press olive oil. This bread, with its unusual, sculptural form, is sure to create much interest on your cheese board. A natural companion for dips, spreads and cheese.
Taste: Wheat and olive oil.
Crumb: Very light and airy.
Storage: Keeps quite well.
