Got a question about Dave's Killer Bread?

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FAQ written by Daniel Letchinger

Q: What is “whole grain”?

A: Whole grains are cereal grains that retain the bran and germ as well as the endosperm, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. Each part of the whole grain kernel contains many essential vitamins and nutrients, from fiber, B vitamins, and trace minerals found in bran, to carbohydrates, protein, and antioxidants found in the endosperm and germ. Think of it this way: whole grain products are like a really good baseball team: you’ve got your pitchers, your catchers, all your outfielders and infielders, your designated hitters, and finally, your manager. Products relying solely on refined grains or “white flour,” on the other hand, are like a baseball team that is missing a first and third baseman, a couple of outfielders, and lets not even get started about the serious lack of punch in the bullpen. In sum, whole grain products are far healthier than products made with refined grains, which is why so many of Dave’s Killer Breads emphasize whole grains.

Q: Do you use any any wheat or wheat gluten from China?

A: We do not use any wheat or wheat gluten from China. All of our wheat and spelt is US grown.

Q: Are any of Dave’s Breads made with 100% whole grains?

A: Yes. Powerseed, Cracked Wheat, Good Seed Flourless Sprouted Wheat, the Peace Bomb, Good Seed Spelt Bread, 21 Whole Grains Bread and the Cinnamon Dawg (available only at the farmers’ markets) are 100% whole grain.

Q: What is Spelt?

A: Spelt is an ancient grain (and not a fish Uncle John fried up on Sunday mornings) that has been grown by farmers for thousands of years. In fact, it was an important staple in parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to medieval times; the earliest archeological evidence of spelt is from the fifth millennium B.C. in Transcaucasia. While it does belong to the wheat family, it is a completely different species than modern day wheat. Like modern day wheat, spelt contains gluten, but it is somewhat different from wheat gluten and thus some people with allergies to wheat gluten are able to digest spelt flour without any problems. However, people with Celiac’s Disease are cautioned against eating spelt grains. As for people with no allergies to wheat, we at Dave’s Killer Bread encourage you to try our Good Seed Spelt bread. Like our other breads, it tastes great and is loaded with fiber and Omega-3. Good Seed Spelt Bread

Q: How do you make sprouted wheat bread?

A: Organic whole wheat berries are soaked for approximately 40 hours, which “sprouts”. They are then drained and ground into a paste, which takes the place of flour and water in the recipe. This is a difficult and fairly precise process, which gives our bakers headaches every time we get in a new crop of ever-changing wheat. But then again, if this stuff was easy, it wouldn’t be killer. Good Seed Flourless Sprouted Wheat Bread

Q: What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

A: It seems like not a day goes by without reading somewhere about the magical health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. But what are Omega-3 fatty acids and why do they really matter?

Well, Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fatty fish and flaxseed. A growing body of research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your risk for heart disease, boost the immune system and protect against arrhythmias. All of Dave’s Killer Breads have lots of Omega-3 fatty acids (in the form of alphalinolenic acid or ALA), especially Good Seed.

When it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids, Good Seed does not disappoint, weighing in at 500 milligrams per slice (not to mention 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber). Now, according to the National Institutes of Health, your recommended daily intake of ALA is 2.22 grams per day. In other words, one delicious slice of Good Seed bread satisfies almost 25 percent of your recommended daily intake of ALA. Heavenly texture, saintly flavor AND magical health benefits? Now that is a Killer bread. Good Seed Bread

Q: Which breads are vegan?

A: Every single loaf of Dave’s Killer Bread contains no animal products whatsoever.

Q: So you are telling me there aren’t any dairy products in a loaf of Dave’s Killer Bread?

A: Yes, exactly. No animal products whatsoever. No dairy, no honey, no bleached flours. Nothing. Nada. Zip.

Q: What is the difference between organic and regular breads?

A: Organic breads are made using ingredients that at no time come into contact with chemicals (such as conventional pesticides or artificial fertilizers), genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), or anything that was processed using ionizing radiation or contains food additives. No bread with yeast and/or salt is 100% organic, since these ingredients are not available in an USDA organic form. All of our breads that have a green “USDA organic” symbol on them are at least 95% organic (the minimum level allowed for this designation) and all ingredients that are available in organic form are utilized. As for the differences between organic and regular breads, we would like to think that first and foremost, bread tastes better when the grains are grown in the most earth-friendly manner possible and the bread isn’t loaded up with artificial preservatives and other nasty chemicals.

Q: Do you use any artificial flavors or preservatives?

A: Absolutely not. Dave’s Killer Bread contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, only organic ingredients.

Q: Do any of the bread use corn syrup or high fructose syrup?

A: No way! We use 3 kinds of sweeteners: organic molasses, organic cane juice, and natural fruit juices (Power Seed only).

Q: Which DKB variety is lowest in sugar?

A: Currently, Our low-sugar bread is Powerseed, which weighs in at 3 grams of sugar per slice. However, unlike Dave’s other breads, Powerseed is sweetened with natural fruit juices (peach, pineapple, and pear), giving it a delicious flavor. Powerseed Bread

Q: Which breads are high in fiber?

A: Our fiber heavyweight is the Powerseed, which has 5 grams in every slice (not to mention 6 grams of protein and 450 mg of Omega-3). That's 20 percent of your recommended daily intake of fiber in one slice of bread that tastes better than any other high-fiber bread you've ever had.

Also, Good Seed, Good Seed Sprouted Wheat, Good Seed Spelt, Cracked Wheat, and 21 Whole Grains Bread have 4 grams of fiber per serving, which is no small potatoes.

Q: Is Rockin’ Rye bread made with 100% rye flour?

A: No, Rockin’ Rye is made with only about 38% whole rye, 32% whole wheat, and 30% white (wheat) flour. Rockin' Rye Bread

Q: I can never seem to find Rockin’ Rye in my local grocery store! What gives? Which stores carry it?

A: Rockin’ Rye can be found at the following stores:

Fred Meyer locations:

Newport
Bend
Redmond
Beaverton
Stadium

New Seasons locations:

Mt. Park
Happy Valley
Raleigh Hills
Cedar Hills
Sellwood
Orenco
Arbor Lodge

Other stores:

Food Front, Portland, OR
All Whole Foods locations in the Portland Metropolitan Area
Wild Oats, Vancouver, WA
LifeSource Natural Foods, Salem, OR
Eastmoreland Grocery & Market, Portland, OR
Friendly Street, Eugene, OR
Otto’s Sausage Kitchen and Meat Market, Portland, OR
Sheridan Produce, Portland, OR

Q: What is fiber?

A: The short answer is fiber is like dietary Drano (don't drink Drano, kids!). Back in the day, when people ate less-processed foods, they would naturally get all of the dietary fiber they needed. These days, you have to make the right choices to get it.

There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Dave's Killer Breads all have lots of insoluble fiber and breads like Rockin' Rye, 21 whole grains and Powerseed also have soluble fiber. Neither are digestible, but soluble fibers dissolve in water and release beneficial fatty acids.

Q: What’s the best way to store it if it takes a week or so to go through a loaf: counter, fridge or freezer?

A: Dave’s Killer Bread has a shelf-life of around ten days, so you have plenty of time to get your fix before nature takes her course. If ten days is not enough time, go ahead and throw your loaf in the fridge, where it will keep for a little over two weeks. As for the freezer, Dave’s Killer Bread freezes incredibly well, provided it is double-bagged and sealed properly. We’re talkin’ two to three months of Killer freshness.

Q: When is Dave going to make a gluten-free bread?

A: A killer gluten-free bread is the holy grail for all bakers, killer and non-killer alike. Right now, Dave is sort of hampered by the lack of space in the current bakery to conduct experiments with gluten-free bread. DKB is set to relocate to a much larger facility in mid-March, which will provide ample opportunity for Dave to get down to brass tacks and start experimenting with gluten-free bread. Short answer: someday, but don’t hold your breath!

Q: How about a low-sodium variety?

A: Once DKB moves to a larger facility, Dave’s first priority is hammering out a recipe for killer low-sodium bread.

Q: What about sourdough bread?

A: Again, once DKB relocates to a larger facility, a killer sourdough is on the way.

Q: When are you going to get a whole-wheat cinnamon raisin bread in stores? I bought some at the Portland Farmer’s Market this past summer and it was amazing!

A: Once the market season starts up again, Dave will resume tinkering with recipe until all the kinks are ironed out. I would expect to see a killer whole-wheat cinnamon raison bread in your local grocery store before the end of the year.

Q: Is Dave real?

A: Yes, Dave is a real person. Do you think we could just make this stuff up? Read Dave's Story

Q: Has Dave killed anyone?

A: No way, José. While Dave most certainly led a not-so-stellar life of crime, complete with drug abuse and numerous stints in the slammer, never once did he consider taking the life of a human being. Dave actually takes care when he walks not to step on any large bugs, whom he considers kindred spirits.

Q: How did he become a baker?

A: Well, Dave grew up in a family of bakers, led by his father, James, who in 1955 started NatureBake. All of Dave’s siblings (including his brother, Glenn, who would later succeed James in running the show) spent a good part of their youth helping out in the family business. Upon completing his last prison sentence, Dave felt the urge to turn his life around, start repairing the bridges that had been burned over the years, and begin contributing something positive to society: "A lot of years had passed since I worked in the family bakery, and I hadn’t even considered whether doing it again was an option, but suddenly it all seemed to make perfect sense. I belonged back with my brother, Glenn, and his bakery more than I ever had." Read Dave's Story

Q: What is the relationship between Dave’s Killer Bread and NatureBake?

A: NatureBake, founded by Dave’s father, James Dahl, and currently managed by his brother, Glenn, and nephew, Shobi, is the sister company to Dave’s Killer Bread. Both brands share the same bakery space, which fosters a collaborative relationship spanning different generations. Each company has their own employees (those working for Dave are affectionately referred to as “the Killers”) working around the clock. While a softball game pitting the two companies against one another has yet to take place, Dave is confident that “the Killers” would take those NatureBakers down to China Town.

Q: Is Dave a vegan?

A: No, Dave is not vegan. But he is well on his way to eliminating animal products from his diet.

Q: I have heard Dave is an old-school metal head? Is this true?

A: Heck yeah! Dave lives and breathes metal. His heroes include Tony Iommi (lead guitarist Black Sabbath fame) and Ronnie James Dio (the pipes behind Heaven and Hell). In addition to being an accomplished guitarist, Dave can “air guitar” with the best. It is not uncommon to catch him shredding an imaginary fret board in between mixing batches of bread.

Q: What did he go to prison for? For how long?

A: Dave’s prison “career” can be broken down into four major stints in the slammer, all of which are in some way intimately related to years of drug abuse:

Burglary (OR): 9 months
Armed Robbery (MA): 54 months
Unarmed Robbery and Assault (OR): 24 months
2nd Degree Assault and Delivery of Controlled Substance (OR): 88 months

In between these state sentences, Dave was somewhat of a regular at the Multnomah County ‘cooler,’ having visited it numerous times for many more months. For a more in-depth description of Dave’s four-time loserhood, check out his bio. Read Dave's Story.

Q: Is he drug-free?

A: Yes, very much so. After years of self-destructive drug abuse, Dave has rid his live of any illicit substances that would jeopardize his passion for making Killer bread.

Q: Does Dave's Killer Bread donate to any charities?

A: At Dave’s Killer Bread, we do our best to make sure that all of our bread that doesn’t sell goes to a charity that will get it to people who would otherwise not be able to afford really good bread. We also give fresh bread to charities for their auctions and events.

Q: How come Dave is so much better looking in person than on the label?

A: The picture of Dave on the label fails to truly convey just how massive his guns’ are; the dude is freakin’ ripped. Plus, as of late, Dave has been taking a lot of fashion tips from his friend (and author of this FAQ), Dan, whose impeccable, ever-so-fresh style Dave can only admire from afar.