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There’s sourdough bread, wholemeal bread, rye bread, and a lot extra. However have you ever heard of sprouted bread?
To elucidate, sprouted bread is a kind of bread made out of entire grains which were allowed to sprout earlier than being milled into flour. This sprouting course of includes soaking the grains in water till they germinate.
The health-conscious Malaysians on the market positively would’ve heard of it, however I actually solely not too long ago got here throughout it by means of Rainbows Sprouted, which is likely one of the prime (if not solely) industrial sprouted bread manufacturers you’ll discover in Malaysia.
However for John Tan, Rainbows Sprouted’s co-founder and director of gross sales and advertising, sprouted bread is one thing he’s identified about for a really very long time.
“I’m from Penang, and this bread could be very standard there,” he defined.
From what we will discover on-line, it does appears that sprouted bread in Malaysia was popularised in Penang, particularly by a lady named Mrs Heisler.
The story sprouts right here
Additionally known as Essene bread and Ezekial bread relying on the variation, sprouted bread has an extended historical past, with information of it within the Bible.
However in Malaysia, its popularisation might very nicely be dated again to the Nineteen Seventies.
In accordance with Adventist Bakery’s web site, Mrs Heisler, who was the spouse of a enterprise supervisor on the Penang Adventist Hospital, had carried out some vegetarian cooking lessons for the general public within the 70s.
“It was there, for the primary time, that she revealed her recipe for ‘enriched’ wholemeal bread,” the web site acknowledged.
The bread gained reputation, particularly amongst health-conscious people. To deal with the demand, the hospital started manufacturing of the wholemeal bread, finally resulting in the formation of the bakery.
Apparently, a few of the bakers had been even employed by different bakeries with the intention to purchase their information on the bread, which can have contributed to the recognition of sprouted bread within the space.
However how did Mrs Heisler’s recipe find yourself being utilized by Rainbows Sprouted?
A blooming enterprise
Round 2015, John and his enterprise accomplice Low Chin Leong obtained a chance to take over a hospital bakery’s manufacturing unit in KL.
An previous pal of his who had been working within the bakery received in contact with John, explaining that they wished to eliminate the operation as a result of the corporate was too short-staffed.
With a diploma in enterprise administration, John had been working within the mushy furnishings and common resort provides business. In the meantime, Low is a civil engineer who labored on the structural restore and upkeep of buildings.
At first, they rejected the provide, the reason is that they had zero expertise in baking. However after failing to dump the enterprise, the pal approached John and Low once more.
“After some dialogue, we determined to make a day journey to Penang to see what provide they will make to us,” he shared. “Alongside our journey, we noticed so many rainbows. Rainbows are indicators of blessing and goodness.”
Like a premonition, John and Low got a superb provide for the corporate, together with good help from the principal firm to assist them acquire business know-how.
The principal firm, after all, was Adventist Bakery.
At first, they operated underneath their branding. However issues modified 4 years in the past, after some settlement adjustments with the principal.
“They need us to supply the breads with our personal label as they obtained lot of enquiries to them, and bread provide just isn’t their core enterprise,” John defined.
And that’s how the Rainbows Sprouted model identify got here to be. Regardless of the change in identify, although, the bread formulations stay the identical. Plus, the change additionally got here with an added benefit.
“With our in-house model, we will develop extra gadgets resembling gluten-free breads, butterloaf, sprouted pizza base, sprouted burger bun, and extra,” John shared. “We began supplying custom-made order gadgets to instructional establishments too.”
It kneads care and a focus
The sprouting course of could be tedious, although. For one, the sprouting have to be accomplished in a managed setting, thus requiring numerous care.
The entire journey begins with the sprouting means of grains and seeds. From there, the sprouts are harvested then grounded.
“We used them as our principal uncooked supplies,” John mentioned. “No bleached wheat flour is used.”
John additionally clarified that nothing artificial is used, resembling added nutritional vitamins or minerals. All of the vitamins within the breads are from the method of sprouting.
The result’s a bread that’s not fairly white, however as an alternative brownish and a bit coarser as a result of pure fibre from the seeds and wheat.
As such, Rainbows Sprouted’s main viewers are health-conscious people, particularly those that might have diabetes or hypertension.
With its manufacturing unit in Puncak Alam, Rainbows Sprouted makes round 50,000 loaves each month.
Rising to the event
On the subject of competiton, John proudly shared, “Enterprise competitors is at all times there, however we’re proud to say that for sprouted bread (not simply utilizing sprouted flour) or sprouted cinnamon breads, we’re one of many prime producers in Malaysia.”
Whereas Rainbows Sprouted is a prime identify that pops up when looking for sprouted bread in Malaysia, the model isn’t simply competing in a distinct segment pool of sprouted bread—it’s competing with main manufacturers like Gardenia and Massimo for a share of the market.
The worth for Gardenia’s bread begins at RM3, and even the more healthy choices resembling its Breakthru Entire Wheat Bread is RM4 for 400g.
In the meantime, Rainbows Sprouted’s The Authentic Sprouted 7-Grains Bread begins at RM9.50 for 450g.
However that’s the value that some will probably be prepared to pay. As John defined, their goal demographic just isn’t essentially the plenty, however health-conscious people who perceive the worth of the bread. The bread can also be halal-certified so the model can serve all Malaysians.
Right now, Rainbows Sprouted is out there in main retailers like Aeon, Jaya Grocer, Vilage Grocer, Lotus’s, in addition to comfort shops like Bilabila Mart, chosen 7-Elevens, and different natural outlets.
Happening the rainbow highway
Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, Rainbows Sprouted didn’t simply survive, however in actual fact, thrived. Final 12 months, the group was capable of transfer into a brand new and improved facility.
With upped capability, John shared that the group has objectives to seize a much bigger market.
To take action, Rainbows Sprouted is wanting so as to add new merchandise to their catalogue to seize a youthful era.
On prime of that, they’re hoping to broaden into neighbouring nations resembling Singapore or Thailand.
Regardless of setting their sights on larger and higher issues, although, the core of Rainbows Sprouted to supply wholesome, high quality sprouted bread stays unchanged.
Study extra about Rainbows Sprouted right here.
Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Rainbows Sprouted
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