If you’ve been following me on social media, reading our Harvest List emails, or visiting the Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market, you may have noticed I’ve been offering Organic Sourdough Granola.
There are many vendors who sell tasty granola in western New York, but today I wanted to dive into what makes the granola made by Schul Farmstead so special & unique.
What I Mean When I Say “Sourdough”
What makes it “sourdough”?
I get this question often at the farmer’s market.
Very simply — I use the sourdough culture (yeast) to make the granola.
The same pancake-batter-looking culture (or yeast) that bakers use in sourdough bread, I use in my granola.
Unlike the dried yeast granules that you may have used to make homemade bread, sourdough culture (yeast) is a live form of active yeasts used to make bread rise (so it’s not flat like a pancake or pita).
To me, it resembles pancake batter.
Sourdough is known for being a bread that is good for your gut.
This form of yeast grows from the active, natural yeasts that float in the air or are found naturally on fruits.
Because of how it is “grown“, sourdough bread is more easily digestible, it takes longer for your body to digest it (in a way that is healthy), and does not spike your blood sugar levels the way traditional white bread does.
Since I am using the sourdough culture, the thing that makes sourdough bread different from regular white bread, I am infusing those good-for-your-gut microbes into my granola.
I use the sourdough culture to make my granola, as a binding agent to clump the oats together.
Organic Oats
I only buy certified organic oats to use in my granola.
Why?
Well, data from many scientific sources have shown that many oat and wheat crops are treated with glyphosate, sold commercially under the name Roundup, during the drying process.
Glyphosate, an herbicide, has been found in numerous studies for decades that the chemical has been linked to cancer. And a peer-reviewed study published in March 2023 found children exposed to glyphosate are at greater risk of metabolic and liver diseases.
Simply put, Monsanto the maker of glyphosate has known that the chemical herbicide has been dangerous for human health for decades, yet it is still a commonly used herbicide that many of our grain food products (like cereal, oatmeal, and granola) are treated with.
Which is why I use only certified organic oats in my granola. Because of the organic certification found on the oats, glyphosate can not be used to at any point in the growing or harvesting of the oats.
Organic & Simple Ingredients
In addition to the oats, I use certified organic ingredients including:
- maple syrup (it’s local too!)
- extra virgin olive oil
- spices, like cinnamon
- extracts, like vanilla
- dried fruit and/or seeds and/or nuts (some of these are from my farm, others are sourced locally or from certified organic sources)
You aren’t likely to find such a simple, minimally processed list of ingredients in from other local granola makers.
What Makes it Unique?
Besides using certified organic oats & certified organic ingredients, my goal in making our farm’s granola isn’t to put you in a sugar coma.
My goal in making my organic sourdough granola is to help you nourish your body in a quick, yet wholesome way.
Yes, I use certified organic & local maple syrup, but the amount is minimal compared to many other granolas on the market. It’s just sweet enough, but not over-powering or over-indulgent.
I use unsweetened dried fruit and unsweetened coconut too – because again, I don’t want sugar & sweetness to be the main focus or flavor.
The nuts and seeds I use are also unsalted, so again, it’s a healthier alternative.
I want this to be a breakfast item you can feel good about enjoying.
Or a snack you don’t feel guilty about sharing with your kiddos. (My 2 year old loves it!)
And with the sourdough culture, it’s sending good-for-the-gut bacteria to your stomach.
My Organic Sourdough Granola Flavors
Last year I tested out several different flavors and varieties to share with my customers. I’m always thinking of new flavor combinations to try out!
- Apple Cinnamon – made with our farm’s no-spray, dried apple slices
- Maple Oatmeal Raisin – made with maple extract and organic, unsweetened golden raisins
- Cherry Almond – made with organic almond extract, local dried tart cherries, and organic unsweetened shredded coconut
- Coconut Currant Turmeric – made with organic unsweetened shredded coconut, organic unsweetened currants, and organic ground turmeric
- Pumpkin – made with organic maple syrup, organic pumpkin spice and organic unsalted pepita (pumpkin seeds), sunflower, and chia seeds
- Chocolate Cranberry – made with cocoa powder and organic unsweetened dried cranberries
- Maple Cinnamon – made with organic maple syrup, maple extract, and organic ground cinnamon
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