This is not a sponsored post, but Manna Organics did send me Manna Bread to sample and offer to provide bread for a giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Manna is an ancient word meaning nourishment (generally spiritual, or divine). It is usually associated with food since the original “manna” was food from God. That being said, Manna Bread is organic, sprouted bread made by a company called Manna Organics. Its name comes from the fact that their bread is made using ancient techniques – it is sprouted, and happens to be yeast free, organic, free of salt, free of oils, without sweeteners, and uses no leavening agents.
Read on for a brief history of bread and how sprouted breads are bringing back the healthiness that was once associated with it.
For the last 100 or so years, we’ve had the technology to easily make shelf-stable flour from our abundant amber waves of grain. Unfortunately when you start mass producing a food, it often turns into a highly processed food-thing. This decline in the quality manifests itself in nutrient-deficient food-things lining the shelves of grocery stores. The Standard American Diet (I call this the “industrial diet”) is based on these products. Perhaps this is the reason for the decline in the health of the average American and why it seems like 90% of the commercials on TV are telling me to take the latest drug that will solve my myriad health issues.
Bread has been one of the worst victims of industrialized food production. Chemicalized, preservatized, and devitalized, both bread and the flour it is made from lack the benefits that perhaps a traditional bread may have had. Sprouted bread, though, bypasses most of these issues. Sprouted grains are not stripped of nutrients and they seem to be easier to digest (especially for those of us with IBS) than flour. I’m a fan of sprouted breads but they are so dang pricey I don’t buy them that often.
Manna Bread Review
Fortunately, Manna Organics was kind enough to send me some bread to try: yeast-free, salt-free, oil-free, sweetener-free, organic sprouted bread. With a list like that you might think it tastes like cardboard or dog poop, but it’s actually quite delectable. They have two types of bread – 1) regular Manna Bread, which comes in fun flavors like Carrot Raisin, Fruit and Nut, but also the standard flavors like Millet Rice, Multigrain, etc… and 2) a new line of Bavarian Style Sourdough Breads.
I will start with my favorite, the Multigrain Sprouted Bread. It is not presliced and comes in a petite hearty loaf.
This manna bread is appropriately named, because it is divine. It is incredibly moist and soft. It’s dense, but not in the way that many whole grain breads are – it is not dry at all, and reminded me of the consistency of a moist, hearty, healthy muffin. So this bread is basically like an unsweetened muffin. I have only had it plain (it’s just that good) and with butter. The ingredient list includes sprouted organic wheat kernels, organic brown rice, organic barley, organic millet, organic flax seed, organic rye kernels, organic soy beans, organic rolled oats, organic oat bran, and organic cornmeal.
Now for the sourdough breads. The sourdough breads do have organic whole grain flour and salt added, but the sprouted Manna breads do not have either. I much preferred the regular kind but Bobby liked these better! We have very different taste buds. The other morning we had toast and eggs and used one of the sourdough breads. The sourdough breads are pre-sliced. The slices are nice and thin so you can have a couple and not be too full.
Sourdough bread is said to be easier to digest since it is partially fermented. We tried three kinds – the Whole Rye, the Sunny Sourdough, and the Multigrain Flax (pictured above).
If you’re looking for Manna Breads, I think they are found in the freezer section of your grocery store. Definitely check out that multigrain one. I want to try other flavors as well.
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This giveaway is now closed.
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Manna Organics is also going to let one (1) lucky reader try their breads. You’ll get 4 loaves (either you pick or they will send 4 of their most popular ones). Retail value is $25. Open to USA addresses only. This contest will close next Thursday, June 16, at midnight (EST). Unless I forget to end it, in which case it will end a day or two later 😉 So get your entries in asap.
Here’s how to enter (leave one comment per entry please):
- Follow Manna on Twitter: @MannaOrganics
- Like Manna on Facebook: Manna Organics
- Follow me on Twitter: @TheSaladGirl (leave your handle in the comments)
- Like me on Facebook: Say Yes to Salad
- Add me to your blogroll 😉 (I’m sorry again, this is shameless.)
- Blog about the giveaway.
- Tell me what your favorite kind of bread is!
Happy Wednesday! I am off to do the 30 Day Shred. I am super sore from yesterday in my quads. Gahhhh squats.
I follow Manna on Twitter.
I love rye bread and also pumpernickel. 🙂 I’ve had a chance to try one flavor of Manna Bread and it’s very good!
I also follow you on Twitter.
My name is krisviking on there.
My favorite bread is hot bread fresh out of the oven!
I like Manna Bread on FB.
And I like you on FB, too!
I follow you via Google Reader.
My favorite kind of bread is whole wheat — I’m a plain girl 😉
Following manna organics!
Following The Salad Girl on Twitter. That bread is making my little piece of toast look so sad in comparison. Hope I win!
I love the Ezekiel Breads, cinnamon raisin is my favorite. I have wanted to try these Manna breads so I am happy to hear they are good.
I really like banana bread and fresh baguettes!
My favorite kind of bread is cinnamon raisin..Manna’s Cinnamon Date bread looks amazing!
I’m following Manna on Twitter.
I “liked” Manna on Facebook.
I’m following you on Twitter (athletesplate).
Liked you on facebook.
My favorite kind of bread is a cinnamon raisin bagel.
you’re on my blog roll, duh!
Oh man do I really have to choose a kind of bread??? That’s way too hard. I love cinnamon raisin, all ezekiels, any english muffin, anything wheaty and doughy, you know those sweet brown breads they serve at steakhouses? Love those! These whole grain baguettes I buy in France. Also anything you put nut butters on turns into amazingness, or toasting it with honey and butter…or bread pudding…wow I love carbs.
And I just had to double check but I like you on facebook too!
I follow you on twitter (@carrotrunr)
I follow manna on twitter (@carrotrunr)
I like manna on facebook.
I like you on facebook.
My favorite bread is my Grandma’s Swedish Rye bread. It is amazing – dense, flavorful, healthy…
you’re already on my blogroll
My favorite bread?! Just one?? 🙂 I guess that would have to be pumpernickel bread (which is sadly hard to find here in Montana). Love it! I also love the bread I make using my Artisan/Healthy Bread in 10 Minutes a Day books. So good!
I already have you on my blogroll. 😉
I already follow you on Twitter (@betherann).
…and on Facebook. 🙂
Blogged it! http://trunc.it/gxbrk
just liked manna on facebook
you’re on my blogroll
my favorite bread is pepperidge farm whole wheat rye
i like you on facebook
now follow you on twitter
follow manna organics on twitter
just blogged about it http://kirskrumbs.blogspot.com/2011/06/thirsty-thursday.html
oops my twitter is @kfred3
i’m following manna on twitter! 🙂
i like manna on facebook!
you’re already on my reader!
i’m following you via twitter!
i love bakery artisan loaves!
i love ezekial sprouted bread and fresh sourdough bread!!