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sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

I have an idea to start making my own bread. Anybody done this in Japan? Basically I would love to know; if I buy a machine with Japanese instructions how simple is it to work out how to use? In Osaka where can I buy the ingrediants for bread making, preferably good wholemeal bread? and lastly how expensive does the bread cost to make?
Ahh I can smell it now.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

We make our own bread. It is pretty expensive, mostly the wholewheat flour, but well worth it. Can't tell you where to get the ingredients, but it should be easy since I can find them in the boonies.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

No idea about ingredients but i assume you are talking about things like wholemeat flour, yeast and water (some people use Rokko water etc to improve the flavor).

You could try Foreign Buyers club but most supermarkets should have what you need. Flour is called "komugiko" in Japanese and bakers yeast is called " "Easto"

http://www.fbcusa.com/public2/

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Thanks guys.
Gordon, if I buy a machine do you rekon I could get to grips with it seeing as I don't read Japanese? When you say expensive, are we talking 300 yen a loaf? 500 yen? Considering supermarket bread is 200 for 6 slices of pretty poor quality bread I would agree with you that it would be worth it, but only up to a point.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

My wife (who does most of the shopping) says that a loaf using only whole wheat flour would cost about 400 yen, but we mix half white and half brown (mixed race) and it is about 200 yen/loaf. Still is great at that ratio. I'd say go with someone the first time to a supermarket, but usually you can get all the ingrediants really easily. If you can get molasses it can make a nice dark loaf. We shipped some molasses from Canada last year.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

You can also add wheat germ to white flour and it turns out like a whole wheat loaf. This is cheaper. I think Foreign Buyers sells wheat germ.

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Thank you Gordon. You have helped make my mind up. Can't wait to start experimenting.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Celeste · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 11:59 am Post subject:

I have an oven and bake bread every 2 days or so. Yeast is available at many different shops, but I tend to get it delivered from www.fbcusa.com

I usually buy golden yacht flour from costco - probably available from www.theflyingpig.com

I also like to put oats in my bread as well as various othe goodies (millet, sunflower seeds, etc.)

When I started making bread 10 years ago, I made it in a bread machine. My bread machine was damaged when I moved it to Korea with me, so I started making it by hand. Now it just seems like part of my daily routine.

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

My single and only bread experience ended with my Mini Toaster on fire.

Since then its been combini bread for me.

I would definitely love to attempt it again someday but I fear that day will not come while Im in Japan.

Best of luck.

cevanne · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Osaka, Japan

You don't need one of those bread machines. Making it by hand isn't that difficult. And it's therapeutic Smile

Having a rough day? Make some bread. The ingredients are a little more expensive here but you should be able to find them in stores that sell foreign food supplies. If you make it at home in your oven the neighbors will be jealous. They'll love the yummy bread smell coming from your apartment Very Happy