Denver, CO
Hello from Denver. Any other denver home bakers here on the forum? I'm curious if anyone has a good flour source in the area. There is a new micr0-grocer, The Clever Turnip, based out of Black Eye Coffee Shop (new shop in the highlands.) They currently have a couple products from Heartland Mills (barley, malted AP) so I asked them if they could bring in the strong bread flour. If they do I'll post here so you can get it also and support this shop.
I also just e-mailed Central Milling Co. (Keith Giusto) out of Petaluma, CA to see if I can order direct from them. Anyone interested in going in on an order to save on shipping costs?
Anyone else disappointed by the lack of quality bread here in Colorado? Sure there is the Denver Bread Company, but their baguette is a typical American baguette (nothing like a good french baguette) and their basic country boule is outrageous at $8 or $9 (if I remember correctly) per loaf!
I have found one good source for authentic french croissants at Pierre Michel French Bakery. Although it's a bit of a drive to Highlands Ranch it is absolutely worth it. Rumor has it Pierre moved his family and bakery to Highlands Ranch because it is at the exact same altitude as his home in France. Aside from Tartine Bakery, best croissants I've had in the states.
Anyways, look forward to connecting with more bakers in the Denver area.
--TJ
There are a number of bakers on this forum in the Denver area. I am in Denver (where in Denver? - Denver. Can see the capital from my house.)
The Costco in Sheridan carries Central Milling all purpose at about $.50 per pound in lots of 20 pounds. I'd be interested in having larger quantities of some of the Central Milling Flours - send me a private message and we can "talk."
I've been here for a long time and Denver does have a reputation for bad bread. Pete Marczyk - of Marczk's Market has studied with Jeffrey Hamelman and now bakes "market made" breads that should be good - although I have baked all my own breads for decades, so have purchased so little bread over the years that I would not know.
Happy (high altitude) Baking!
Pat
Hi Pat. I am right next to sloans lake.
Just checked the costco sheridan today and they only had con agra, maybe they recently switched?
I'm still waiting to hear back from central milling, I'll let you know if I do.
--TJ
I was there last week - yes, only Con Agra in the baking ingredients aisle - Central Milling was on a pallet elsewhere - ask next time - or maybe they are out. That would be bad news because I need to do a flour run.
Let me know when you hear anything!
It is in stock... had a friend look for me but he only checked the baking aisle. Its next to the refridgerated section. If only we could get costco to carry other flour from central milling...
TJ,
I was thinking my disappointment in the lack of great bread was the result of laziness on my part (not seeking it out) since I don't want to believe it doesn't exist here, but it's still hard to find evidence to the contrary (see laziness reference above.)
Anyway, I operate a mobile food business here in Denver and have the benefit of getting flour from the various distributors around town. I don't know this for sure, but I believe Loco Foods out of Ft. Collins is the supplier for The Clever Turnip. I say that because Loco carries a huge selection of Heartland Mills flour, including the strong bread flour. You might have to place a special order with the Turnip and get a 25# bag. Loco splits many of their products off into two pound bags, but I don't know if they do that for all of the flours.
Tonali's Meets in Arvada, was carrying the Central Milling 00 flour as well as the Beehive and whole wheat in 50# bags (at least the last time I dealt with them earlier this year.) You might be able to order a bag directly from them without an account. I think you can order 50# bags from their Central Milling mill in Utah and save some on the shipping as well.
If you purchase the 365 Everyday Organic flour from Whole Foods, it's actually Central Milling flour. I was told the white is the same as the Beehive which has a protein content around 10.5%. Not sure which one the whole wheat flour is, but I'm guessing it's the medium whole wheat (it's on the coarse side.)
If you're unable to get a hold of the Heartland Mills flour, let me know and maybe I could place an order for you when I place my next order (probably won't be for three or four weeks since there is a minimum order amount for delivery.)
Eric
Thanks for the tips Eric. If I can't get a hold of some central milling bakers patent then I'll pursue the heartland mills.
I have a small artisan bakery up north of Denver in Fort Collins. I use a lot of Heartland Mill's products (especially their strong bread flour) and source them through Loco Foods. Loco does deliver to businesses in Denver. If you can't work through them directly just to get flours for your at-home use and driving to Fort Collins would be worth it, maybe we could work something out.
If you are ever up near Fort Collins and would like to relieve your disappointment in Colorado breads, my products might do the trick :)
Callie
Ingrainedbakery.com
I'll definitely visit your bakery next time I'm up in fort collins!
There is a local miller located just north of Denver in Platteville, for decades it was known as Rocky Mtn. Milling and is now owned by Bay Street Milling. Visit their site http://www.bsm.com/rockymountainmilling/ and I think you will find they are milling many of the products that you are looking for. Dawn foods in Montbello offers Rocky Mtn, King Arthur, and many other brands and they do sell to the public. Most of the packaging is in the 50# range and for me that is just a bit much to keep fresh so I would be interested in splitting some purchases if anyone is in the same situtation.
Alright, finally got in touch with Nicky Giusto over at central milling. I'm going to be placing an order this week. Let me know if you'd like to me to order anything and maybe we can save on shipping. Right now I'm planning on 50# of Organic Artisan Type 70 Malted, and 50# Organic Artisan Old Country Type 85 Malted.
Central Milling type 85 is great. Natural Grocers carries heartland mills under there bulk stuff in the refrigerated section. They've ordered me Golden buffalo and I supplement with the strong white bread flour.
I just moved here a year ago and after a year and half have finally gotten some confidence in my bread and my ability to talk about it.
Cheers