Over the New Year, we have transitioned from our 2019 harvest milling wheat to our 2020 harvest milling wheat.
As followers will know from previous blog posts, we carry out a series of controlled baking tests to assess a number of different samples of milling wheat from different farms in order to decide on the wheat with the best qualities and taste for you, our customers! We then purchase around 50 tonnes of wheat to see us through the year until the next harvest comes along.
The 2020 harvest proved a challenging one. Some of you will have watched my videos showing Samples A and B being put through their paces. Sadly, sample A which was the front runner failed some all-important mycotoxin tests. This was a sample from Cambridgeshire, so we were mightily disappointed, as was the farmer!
Introducing Adrian Steele & Chapel Farm, Netherton
After some further searching we received samples from Adrian Steele’s farm – Chapel Farm, Netherton, Worcestershire. We were delighted with the test bake results and so, we have now introduced his Mulika 2020 crop into production.
The Steele family has been growing wheat at Chapel Farm, in the Vale of Evesham Worcestershire, since the 1930’s. It’s deep alluvial clay soils are suited for traditional mixed farming, and the farm became certified organic with the Soil Association in the 1980’s. Cattle and sheep graze the clover rich pastures and the mixture of crops include vegetables and flowers, plums, Spelt wheat, milling rye, milling oats, and wheat varieties suitable for biscuits and bread. The high conservation values of the farm can be enjoyed by the public via a network of bridle ways and footpaths.
The Results
It is always great to also be able to showcase the flour and some of our customer’s fantastic bread baking skills. Here are some photos of loaves made by Stewart Travers using the 2020 harvest Prior’s White & Prior’s Rye flours.
Stewart’s rich crust baked in a Dutch Oven…
Gives way to a juicy open crumb texture
Buy our 2020 harvest flours here! Please note – our product photos are not yet updated with the new harvest farm information.
