The demand for flaxseed for use in the food industry is increasing due to its high nutritional value and growing utilisation in the production of various products, such as confectionery and bakery products, and energy bars. North America holds a major market share in the global flaxseed market due to high production volume in Canada.
High demand and increase in overseas exports from Canada have resulted in a reduced domestic supply for Canadian flaxseed, causing prices for the crop to skyrocket. The pandemic has also caused a significant increase in consumer demand for flaxseed, with lockdowns and restaurant closures increasing the prevalence of home baking.
Furthermore, flaxseed prices are rising because of a severe drought in Canada. Vast quantities of flaxseed growing areas have less than 40% of their regular moisture in the soil. This means that the yield this year is expected to be significantly lower than usual.
All this means that the average price of flax has increased 52.2% so far this year, as shown in the chart below.
The UK haulage/transport sector is going through a very difficult period, with increased demand but reduced capacity to deliver as required. The main issue seems to be a lack of available drivers.
We have experienced many delays as a company in recent weeks, and have even had trailers loaded and made ready for despatch, only for the drivers not to be available to collect the load resulting in the goods having to be put back into stock again!
We are doing all we can to continue our normal service but would request you plan ahead and allow longer lead times and take stock earlier than you would normally while we go through this difficult time, so we can ensure you don’t run out of any stock. We are also now being told our carriers can not offer a guaranteed next day service, and that they have to be confirmed at point of booking. Until further notice we are unable to guarantee any delivery date, although will do all we can to keep to our standard service and will keep in close contact.
Following the recent Government recommendations regarding the Xinjiang region in China, we can confirm that we do not directly nor indirectly purchase or supply any products that are from this area.
Wooden Spoon with Psyllium Seeds on dark background
Psyllium Husk has many uses as a bakery ingredient. It is an excellent source of fibre, and can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water. It is Gluten Free, and has no odour or flavour. When added to a Gluten Free mix, it forms a dough rather than a batter making it easy to form and shape into a variety of bakery products.
Benefits
Holds 20x its weight in water
Forms a dough, not a batter
Healthy and natural!
Non-GMO
Gluten Free
Clean Label
Applications
Grade Names
Psyllium Husk Powder 60 Mesh 98% Pure
Psyllium Husk Powder 100 Mesh 99% Pure
Psyllium Husk Whole 98% Pure
Description
White to off White Coloured Odourless Husk
Super White Coloured Odourless Husk
White to off White Coloured Odourless Husk
Psyllium Mucilloid Content
98% Pure
99% Pure
98% Pure
Taste
Bland Mucilaginous
Moisture
10% Max
Swell Volume
Min 50 ML/Gram
Min 70 ML/Gram
Min 50 ML/Gram
Total Ash
3% Max
3% Max
4% Max
Acid Insoluble Ash
1% Max
0.50% Max
1% Max
Light Extraneous Matter
2% Max
1% Max
2% Max
Total Consumable Fibre
About 88%
About 90%
About 88%
Psyllium husk consists of the outer flaky part of the seeds of the plant known as Plantago Ovata, or Isabgol. The production of psyllium husk is a sophisticated process of seed cleaning and dehusking. The raw seeds are cleaned and polished repeatedly, then passed through special grinding mills for husk removal. The dehusked material, consisting of husk and kernel, is sieved to remove the kernels. Pure husk is obtained by processing and removing the impurities with aspirators and blowers.
Psyllium Husk Whole and Powder is virtually tasteless and odourless and is commonly used as an additive in many high fibre breakfast cereals and supplements.
Psyllium Husk Powder makes an excellent bakery ingredient; it adds fibre (99%) and is excellent at retaining moisture – it can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water which is music to any bakers ears! Once the water absorption process is completed the mix does not break down easily when exposed to new moisture, allowing it to keep its original form.
When added to Gluten Free mixes it forms a dough rather than a batter, making it easy to form and shape into a variety of bakery products. It can be used as a cold swell product (works at normal water temperature). The ground psyllium seed husks bind moisture and help make the bread less crumbly.
Psyllium Husk can also be added to fresh fruit or flavoured drinks to improve the mouth feel, making it richer and providing a better consistency.
There are plenty of gluten-free flours to choose from, but not all of them are with the same nutritional benefits. Some gluten-free flours are highly absorbent and require additional moisture in the recipe while others are so dense that they need extra leavening.
Here is an overview of the top 5 gluten-free flours and what you should know about them.
Buckwheat, despite its name, is not wheat. It is actually a seed! Buckwheat flour is not derived from wheat and it doesn’t contain any gluten. It is an excellent source of nutrition, containing high levels of protein and minerals such as magnesium and copper providing a rich, earthy flavour. Due to its lack of gluten, it tends to be crumbly in nature. It contains a variety of B-vitamins and is rich in the minerals iron, folate, magnesium, zinc, manganese and fiber. Buckwheat flour is also high in antioxidants, specifically the polyphenol rutin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
This gluten-free flour has a nutty, earthy flavour on its own and it tends to absorb the flavour of other ingredients. Rich in fiber and protein, amaranth flour also contains plenty of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and iron.
• Can be used to replace up to 25% of flour in recipes • Combines well with starches and other non-grain flours in gluten-free baking • Used as a thickener in sauces, gravies, soups and stews
Teff is the world’s smallest grain and is 1/100 the size of a kernel of wheat. It comes in a variety of colours, ranging from white to red to dark brown. Light colours have a mild flavour, while darker shades are more earthy in taste.
Teff flour is high in protein, which promotes a feeling of fullness and can help reduce cravings. What’s more, it contains more calcium than any other grain, contains vitamin and it high in fiber. It can be substituted for 25–50% of wheat or all-purpose flour.
Rice Flour is considered a whole-grain flour and contains the bran, germ and endosperm. This type of flour is rich in dietary fiber, protein, and a variety of other nutrients. Rice contains many valuable nutrients such as protein, vitamin B, manganese, magnesium and iron.
Cassava flour is made by grating and drying the whole root. It is gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free while also being low in calories, sugar, and fat. It is rich in vitamin C, manganese, potassium, folate, and magnesium but not particularly high in fiber. It’s most similar to white flour and can easily be used in recipes calling for all-purpose flour. It has a neutral flavour and consists of mostly carbohydrates
• Perfect for use in gluten-free baking as it’s performance closely mimics the structure, texture, and taste of wheat-based products. • Can be used to give products a light colour, smooth surface and closed structure.
Looking for a specialist range that includes a wide variety of gluten-free flours? Give us a call on 0800 999 8876 or email [email protected]
Here at BakeRite, we are fully operational and available to support you!
The last two weeks have seen significant increased call for “Free from Ingredients“ and we are responding with increased stock levels across a wide product range.
Are you experiencing any supply issues? We can help!
With strategically placed storage and distribution centres throughout the UK and Ireland, some of the largest UK bakeries are relying on Bakerite and you can too.
Benefit from fast, personal and reliable service committed to help you satisfy your clients demands.
Whilst taking all precautions, BakeRite is committed to maintaining the highest levels of service despite the current pandemic.
All non-distribution/logistics functions are now operating from remote locations and our IT and phone systems have been arranged to support this.
01 Sep, 2021
