We Know Our Sources: Angelic Bakehouse
The following guide was written by Heinen’s partner Alex Miles.
There’s nothing quite like biting into a good piece of bread. Wheat bread, rye bread, bagels, pitas, naan, buns – there are endless ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite carb. What’s not so easy is finding a bread that tastes good and is healthy for you. For the longest time, it seemed as if the more nutritious the bread was, the more it tasted like cardboard.
Fortunately, those days are over. One of our favorite brands tastes as heavenly as its name: Angelic Bakehouse. Founded by James and Jennie Marino over 17 years ago, Angelic Bakehouse launched with a simple mission: To elevate the food that people eat. This pursuit led the couple to develop an entire bread line that not only delivers nourishing nutrients but tastes delicious as well.
So, what are the brand’s secrets to success? It all has to do with their ingredients, customer-centric innovation and, ultimately, their wholesome hearts.
The Gift of Sprouted Whole Grains
When it comes to personal health, it’s evident that whole grain and whole wheat bread options are far superior compared to the alternatives. Even Heinen’s Chief Dietician Melanie Jatsek, RD, LD wrote an article about the benefits of upgrading to whole grains rather than cutting them out completely. Angelic Bakehouse takes their products a step further, putting sprouted whole grains into their breads.
What makes sprouted whole grains different? They’re made from whole grains that have started to sprout when exposed to moisture. The sprouting process decreases the bitterness of wheat, making the finished bread product naturally sweeter. In turn, the natural sweetness allows Angelic Bakehouse to reduce the amount of sugar added to their bread, making it even healthier for you to consume.
Additionally, studies show that sprouting increases the bioavailability of other nutrients including folic acid and Vitamin D. Sprouted whole grains are also easier to digest and contain elevated levels of fiber, antioxidants and beneficial enzymes.
“We always strive to create breads that change people’s lives – and health – for the better,” said Jamie Duklas, Marketing Executive at Angelic Bakehouse. “This means that we make zero compromises when it comes to our ingredients. Instead of a processed flour, we fresh press our sprouted whole grains into our products.”
Long story short: Sprouted whole grains are good for you and for your taste buds. When you shop for Angelic Bakehouse products at Heinen’s, you gain the health benefits of sprouted grains in their bread, wraps, rolls, crusts and more.
Carbs You Can Count On
Over the last two decades, Angelic Bakehouse has continued to grow in popularity among bread lovers. In 2016, the company joined the Marzetti brand family, which has brought forth increased brand awareness and distribution opportunities.
Despite the brand’s continued growth and success, Angelic Bakehouse remains committed to their customers’ needs. In addition to using non-GMO ingredients, Angelic products are vegan and kosher friendly, plus free of allergens such as dairy, soy, nuts and sesame. Beyond sprouted whole grains, the brand incorporates all kinds of unexpected ingredients, including beets, turmeric and green chiles into their bread products to elevate their flavors. Also, their breads, wraps and pizza crusts contain far less sodium than many other products on the market.
“You can trust that every ingredient is there for a reason,” explains Jamie. “We don’t include anything that’s harmful or difficult to pronounce. It’s pretty nice to read a product label and understand what’s in your food.”
As consumers continue to scrutinize the quality of the foods they put into their bodies, it’s nice to see brands like Angelic Bakehouse taking their concerns seriously. While carbs have a history of being banned from old-school diet fads, Angelic Bakehouse has created healthy, nourishing products that can be enjoyed without guilt or worry.
“We want our customers to count on carbs versus count them,” said Jamie. “When you choose Angelic Bakehouse, you choose the best possible carbs for you.”
Angelic from the Inside Out
Because of their focus on customers’ health and satisfaction, Angelic Bakehouse recently conducted a year-long product innovation study. The results inspired the brand to refresh their entire bread collection in November 2021. While the new bread line stays true to the brand’s proprietary sprouting process, the products are formulated to be even sweeter and softer than before. Customers also wanted bigger slices within each loaf, and Angelic Bakehouse was happy to oblige.
“We truly value our customers’ opinions and proactively respond to their feedback,” said Jamie. “If they want more options or better flavor, we work hard to create the ideal solution.”
As Angelic Bakehouse continues their quest to “elevate” food and customers’ lives, they also give rise to acts of “goodness” whenever possible. The socially conscious company has partnered with Feeding America, helping to donate over 200,000 meals to people in need.
“Whether it’s our employees, distribution partners, customers or people in the world around us, we’re determined to do good wherever and whenever possible,” said Jamie.
We’re proud to share Angelic Bakehouse products with our own customers. As you shop our bread aisle or consider how to incorporate healthier bread options into your meals, Angelic Bakehouse can help you take your health – and life – to the next level.
