Rye Berry Substitute Just To Get By?

Profile picture for user Song Of The Baker
Song Of The Baker on 26 Dec 2012 at 12:35

I am planning to try pumpernickel for the first time but having a little trouble finding rye berries locally.  In particular, a bread as similar in ingredients as possible to Chad Robertson's Rugbrot.  Recipe here: http://abreaducation.com/blog/2012/08/chad-robertsons-rugbrot/

Is there a substitute for rye berries that will work close enough for what I am after?  I bought some steel cut oats today.  Maybe those?

John

The last time I did a German style, 100% rye pumpernickel, I had the same problem; no rye berries. I found rolled rye (like rolled oats or oatmeal) in the bulk bin at either Whole Foods or Central Market. I don't remember which.  The rolled rye gave what I take to be the same textural element as the berries would have. I did not precook the rolled rye, or otherwise soften them.

I also used the rolled rye in place of course rye meal in Boston brown bread — delish.

cheers,

gary

lady parts.  

Rye is essential to pumpernickel.  I suppose a desperate situation would include more rye flour in the dough and Kamut berries? or Spelt berries, walnuts or even soaked and cooked turtle beans?  Oats might turn to mush being a soft grain.

Profile picture for user dabrownman

dabrownman on 26 Dec 2012 at 14:43

a sort of standard scald, soaker or sprouts that have Kamut, WW, spelt and rye usually in the same proportion as the flours used.  In this case the spelt flour has more flour than the rye.  Mrfrost is right.  You can use what ever berries you can find.  The taste may be different but it will still be good.  Maybe some of the other BC bakers will give you some sources for rye and other whole berries?

If you find pumperberries of any kind - nickel or dime - don't use them as they are nearly extinct and very difficult to find :-) 

Hmm....thanks for the info dabrownman.  Can't find any darn berries.

Any BC bakers here that can help please??

John

Thanks a lot for this breadsong!  I actually found a local health store by my place that sells small packages (435 g) for $2.99.  Hoping that Anita's will sell for a better price.  They reopen January 2nd so I will give them a call then.

John

hanseata has her really nice wild rice bread and it would be worth putting some cooked wild rice in the rugbrot even if you had the whole berries - for color alone.  There has to be some food co-ops, health food stores, resturant distributors or something / someone stocking whole berries locally.  Otherwise it is Internet and Mail Order time.  Not having any kind of berries in this bread would be tragic and it would probably be better to wait to get some before making it.

Dabrownman!  Once again, you da man!  I checked our local co-op and they apperently carry rye berries (labelled 'fall berries') in their cultivation section.  Thank you for the hint, I will go grab some tomorrow.

John

and you have Whoole Foods in your area, they have rye, spelt, Kamut and WW berries in the bins and several flours in the bins already ground and nice a selection of flours from Red Mill and several others in the baking aisle.  I get most of my berries there.

Thanks for the tip Ian but I am trying to find some locally here in Vancouver where we do not have King Arthur readily available.  If I can not find any locally, I will surely have to order it online.

John

Not quite BC, but northern WA, in the Methow Valley, is Bluebird Grain farm. They sell rye berries. I just special ordered cracked rye, which I have not found anywhere in the greater Seattle area. They also sell a fantastic blend of cracked emmer, cracked rye and flaxseeds. They call it Old World Cereal. Makes the tastiest soaker. They grow the rye and emmer and grind it themselves. Very nice people. Glad you found a local source! Wanted you to know there is an alternative closer than KA or even Bob's Red Mill. Happy baking! P.s. I agree with Mini. There are substitutes but it is not the same bread. It is wonderful to see all the delicious variations, and to recognize that is what they are. Paula

Thanks Paula!  Next time I head over the border I will definitely check that out.  That's great.  I can't believe that a Canadian will have to go to the States to pick up rye.  It's like Russians having to go to Germany to pick up vodka.  Crazy.

John