There’s sourdough bread, wholemeal bread, rye bread, and a lot extra. However have you ever heard of sprouted bread?

To elucidate, sprouted bread is a kind of bread made out of entire grains which were allowed to sprout earlier than being milled into flour. This sprouting course of entails soaking the grains in water till they germinate.

The health-conscious Malaysians on the market undoubtedly would’ve heard of it, however I actually solely lately got here throughout it by way of Rainbows Sprouted, which is without doubt one of the high (if not solely) industrial sprouted bread manufacturers you’ll discover in Malaysia.

However for John Tan, Rainbows Sprouted’s co-founder and director of gross sales and advertising and marketing, sprouted bread is one thing he’s identified about for a really very long time.

“I’m from Penang, and this bread could be very in style there,” he defined.

From what we are able to discover on-line, it does appears that sprouted bread in Malaysia was popularised in Penang, particularly by a girl named Mrs Heisler.

The story sprouts right here

Additionally referred to as Essene bread and Ezekial bread relying on the variation, sprouted bread has a protracted historical past, with data of it within the Bible.

However in Malaysia, its popularisation might very nicely be dated again to the Seventies.

In keeping with Adventist Bakery’s web site, Mrs Heisler, who was the spouse of a enterprise supervisor on the Penang Adventist Hospital, had carried out some vegetarian cooking courses for the general public within the 70s.

“It was there, for the primary time, that she revealed her recipe for ‘enriched’ wholemeal bread,” the web site said.

The bread gained recognition, particularly amongst health-conscious people. To deal with the demand, the hospital started manufacturing of the wholemeal bread, ultimately resulting in the formation of the bakery.

Apparently, a few of the bakers have been even employed by different bakeries with the intention to purchase their data on the bread, which can have contributed to the recognition of sprouted bread within the space.

However how did Mrs Heisler’s recipe find yourself being utilized by Rainbows Sprouted?

A blooming enterprise

Round 2015, John and his enterprise accomplice Low Chin Leong acquired a chance to take over a hospital bakery’s manufacturing facility in KL.

An previous good friend of his who had been working within the bakery bought in contact with John, explaining that they needed to eliminate the operation as a result of the corporate was too short-staffed.

With a diploma in enterprise administration, John had been working within the mushy furnishings and normal resort provides trade. In the meantime, Low is a civil engineer who labored on the structural restore and upkeep of buildings.

At first, they rejected the provide, the reason is they’d zero expertise in baking. However after failing to unload the enterprise, the good friend approached John and Low once more.  

“After some dialogue, we determined to make a day journey to Penang to see what provide they’ll make to us,” he shared. “Alongside our journey, we noticed so many rainbows. Rainbows are indicators of blessing and goodness.”

Like a premonition, John and Low got a very good provide for the corporate, together with good assist from the principal firm to assist them achieve trade know-how.

The principal firm, in fact, was Adventist Bakery.

At first, they operated below their branding. However issues modified 4 years in the past, after some settlement adjustments with the principal.

“They need us to provide the breads with our personal label as they acquired lot of enquiries to them, and bread provide shouldn’t be their core enterprise,” John defined.

And that’s how the Rainbows Sprouted model identify got here to be. Regardless of the change in identify, although, the bread formulations stay the identical. Plus, the change additionally got here with an added benefit.

“With our in-house model, we are able to develop extra gadgets akin to gluten-free breads, butterloaf, sprouted pizza base, sprouted burger bun, and extra,” John shared. “We began supplying custom-made order gadgets to academic establishments too.”

It kneads care and a spotlight

The sprouting course of may be tedious, although. For one, the sprouting have to be finished in a managed atmosphere, thus requiring a number of care.

The entire journey begins with the sprouting means of grains and seeds. From there, the sprouts are harvested then grounded.

“We used them as our predominant uncooked supplies,” John stated. “No bleached wheat flour is used.”

John additionally clarified that nothing artificial is used, akin to added nutritional vitamins or minerals. All of the vitamins within the breads are from the method of sprouting.

The result’s a bread that’s not fairly white, however as a substitute brownish and a bit coarser because of the pure fibre from the seeds and wheat.

As such, Rainbows Sprouted’s main viewers are health-conscious people, particularly those that might have diabetes or hypertension.

With its manufacturing facility in Puncak Alam, Rainbows Sprouted makes round 50,000 loaves each month.

Rising to the event

On the subject of competiton, John proudly shared, “Enterprise competitors is at all times there, however we’re proud to say that for sprouted bread (not simply utilizing sprouted flour) or sprouted cinnamon breads, we’re one of many high producers in Malaysia.”  

Whereas Rainbows Sprouted is a high identify that pops up when looking for sprouted bread in Malaysia, the model isn’t simply competing in a distinct segment pool of sprouted bread—it’s competing with main manufacturers like Gardenia and Massimo for a share of the market.

The value for Gardenia’s bread begins at RM3, and even the more healthy choices akin to its Breakthru Entire Wheat Bread is RM4 for 400g.

In the meantime, Rainbows Sprouted’s The Authentic Sprouted 7-Grains Bread begins at RM9.50 for 450g.  

However that’s the worth that some can be keen to pay. As John defined, their goal demographic shouldn’t be essentially the plenty, however health-conscious people who perceive the worth of the bread. The bread can be halal-certified so the model can serve all Malaysians.

As we speak, Rainbows Sprouted is out there in main retailers like Aeon, Jaya Grocer, Vilage Grocer, Lotus’s, in addition to comfort shops like Bilabila Mart, chosen 7-Elevens, and different natural outlets.  

Taking place the rainbow highway

Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, Rainbows Sprouted didn’t simply survive, however in truth, thrived. Final 12 months, the staff was in a position to transfer into a brand new and improved facility.  

With upped capability, John shared that the staff has targets to seize a much bigger market.

To take action, Rainbows Sprouted is wanting so as to add new merchandise to their catalogue to seize a youthful era.

On high of that, they’re hoping to increase into neighbouring nations akin to Singapore or Thailand.

Regardless of setting their sights on larger and higher issues, although, the core of Rainbows Sprouted to provide wholesome, high quality sprouted bread stays unchanged.

• Study extra about Rainbows Sprouted right here.
• Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.

Featured Picture Credit score: Rainbows Sprouted