If you’ve noticed the baking aisle looking a little emptier lately — or if you’ve struggled to find your favourite bread flour on the shelves — you’re not alone. The demand for bread flour has been rising, and it’s not just a temporary trend brought on by banana bread-loving lockdown bakers.
Whether you’re a hobbyist kneading dough on weekends or a seasoned artisan baker, it’s time to pay attention. Let’s dive into what’s happening with bread flour, why it matters, and what bakers (like you!) need to know.
What Exactly Is Bread Flour?
Let’s start with the basics. Bread flour is a high-protein wheat flour that typically contains between 12% to 14% protein, compared to all-purpose flour’s 10% to 12%. This higher protein content means more gluten — and more gluten equals better structure, chew, and rise in your breads. That’s why it’s the go-to choice for making crusty loaves, soft sandwich bread, bagels, pizza crust, and more.
In short: If you love bread with texture, volume, and flavour, bread flour is your best friend.
So, Why Is Demand for Bread Flour Rising?
There are a few key reasons why more people are scooping up bread flour than ever before:
1. The Home Baking Boom
Ever since people started spending more time at home (thank you, pandemic), baking has become a favourite pastime. Social media is full of sourdough starters, braided loaves, and drool-worthy crumb shots. This baking craze hasn’t slowed down — if anything, it’s evolved. Home bakers are levelling up their skills and reaching for professional ingredients, including bread flour.
2. Health-Conscious Choices
More people are ditching store-bought loaves for homemade alternatives. Why? Because when you bake your bread, you control what goes in it — no preservatives, additives, or mystery ingredients. Bread flour gives better results for these homemade recipes, which makes it the flour of choice for health-conscious bakers.
3. The Rise of Artisan Breads
From farmers’ markets to boutique bakeries, artisan bread has made a huge comeback. These small-batch, high-quality loaves often use specialty flours, and bread flour is front and centre. Even large-scale bakeries are adapting to meet this demand with rustic, crusty, and hearty loaves that mimic homemade results.
What Does This Mean for Bakers?
If you’re baking more bread than ever (or dreaming of doing so), here are a few things to keep in mind as the demand for bread flour continues to rise.
1. Prices May Fluctuate
As with anything in demand, prices can go up. Farmers, millers, and retailers are doing their best to keep up, but don’t be surprised if you notice small increases in your favourite brand’s price tag. It might be worth buying in bulk, especially if you go through a lot of bread flour each month.
2. Stock Up Strategically
Don’t hoard (nobody likes a flour hog!), but consider keeping an extra bag or two on hand if bread baking is part of your routine. Just make sure to store it in a cool, dry place — or even in the freezer — to keep it fresh longer.
3. Explore Local and Alternative Brands
If your go-to brand is out of stock, it might be time to branch out. Local mills and smaller producers often offer excellent quality bread flour — sometimes even better than mass-market brands. Plus, supporting small businesses is always a win-win.
4. Watch for Trends in Flour Innovation
Believe it or not, flour isn’t stuck in the past. There’s innovation happening, even with something as basic as wheat! Look for specialty bread flours blended with ancient grains, sprouted wheat, or stone-milled options that offer unique flavour profiles and health benefits.
Pro Tips for Using Bread Flour
So now that bread flour is practically gold, make the most of it! Here are some fun and useful tips to get top-notch results every time:
- Hydration is key: Bread flour absorbs more water, so don’t be afraid to add more liquid to your dough than you would with all-purpose flour.
- Knead it well: That extra protein means more gluten development, which needs a good knead to work its magic.
- Let it rest: Give your dough plenty of time to rise and rest. Bread flour benefits from longer fermentation for better texture and flavour.
- Try mix-ins: Bread flour holds its shape well, making it perfect for breads with nuts, seeds, cheeses, or dried fruit.
Yup, And It’s Not Slowing Down Anytime Soon!
From health-conscious home bakers to professional bread artists, everyone is realising just how essential good bread flour is to a perfect loaf.
Whether you bake for fun, for family, or business, now’s the time to embrace the bread flour trend. Try new recipes, test out different brands, and enjoy the deeply satisfying (and delicious!) world of bread baking. After all, what could be better than the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting through your kitchen?