20 years of ideas in breadmaking

20 years in business is always a major milestone for a company. In this case, the anniversary coincides with an achievement: having sought and found the right alchemy to create and sustain our “natural science of bread”. The apparent oxymoron of science and nature has nevertheless shaped the way Federico Allamprese Manes Rossi and Il Granaio delle Idee have thought and worked since the company was founded.

“Because bread is wholesome right down to its DNA and rejects anything artificial imposed upon it, whether driven by commercial considerations or intended to distort its natural character. And I learned this little principle firsthand, through the experience gained from mistakes and underestimating challenges".

It was in 2004 that Il Granaio delle Idee became the sole Italian licensee for 2 years of none other than Walt Disney, to produce a cartoon-themed bread roll: an alternative, natural snack decorated with wafers depicting Disney’s most famous cartoon characters. “Branding bread with one of the most widely recognized names in cinema and cartoons was not enough. Bread showed me that it actively resists everything industrial”.

This was an important step towards investing in and further strengthening the clean label model, of which Il Granaio delle Idee was one of the pioneers in this manufacturing sector. Thus, in 2010, a major in-house Research and Development Laboratory was conceived, established and expanded, and now employs 5 bread scientists. The laboratory has researched and developed the ideal combination and balance of nutrition and well-being in the world of specialty flours and bread mixes, enabling the company to grow commercially and launch a range of successful products.

Driven by the growing, specific needs of increasingly attentive and informed consumers, who are more frequently seeking foods that can have a significant impact on their well-being and the body’s balance, Pane Funzionale Salus® was recently created. This revolutionary flour blend offers a range of nutritional benefits, from low calorie and fat content to high levels of fiber and protein, from low carbohydrate and sodium content to the presence of oat beta-glucans.

These beta-glucans, which are fibers found in foods such as oat bran, have the ability to lower blood cholesterol when consumed daily through the equivalent of 150 g of Pane Funzionale Salus® (and therefore at least 3 g of beta-glucans).

“We have spent a long time studying the world of functional foods: foods that can benefit one or more physiological functions and help prevent or reduce the risk of disease. The result is bread that is not only delicious and fragrant, but also supports well-being, with nutritional claims certified by the Italian Ministry of Health. A product that combines its unique, distinctive aromatic profile with quality and nutritional balance. Another important milestone achieved in these 20 years in business”.

For this reason, among others, Il Granaio delle Idee will be attending Iba in September 2018, the world’s leading trade fair for bakery and pastry products: an essential showcase for bringing the Italian-made natural science of bread to international markets.