In this article, we would like to introduce you to the commitment behind the flagship menu item "Campanne" from Daikanyama GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS.
GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS is a bakery cafe that opened in 2015.
At the time of its opening, the bread artisans at GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS trained at the popular bakery "Tartine Bakery" in San Francisco, USA, learning its techniques and inheriting its fermentation starter. "Using local wheat and selecting healthy ingredients, making bread that is gentle on the body" has been cherished by GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS since its opening.
The flagship bread of GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS is "Campanne".
It may not be familiar in Japan, but it's a so-called "country bread" originating from France. It is baked in a large size, with a crispy exterior and a chewy, sour taste inside. Based on Tartine Bakery's Campanne, it is made with domestically produced wheat and ingredients that complement Japanese tastes, created with three commitments in mind.
Commitment 1: Continuing the Levain Starter
Levain (French: levain) means "fermentation starter" in French. The starter inherited from Tartine Bakery is carefully nurtured with daily monitoring and natural fermentation. Because the starter contains multiple bacteria including lactic acid bacteria, Campanne has a complex flavor and develops a distinctive aroma.
The starter is fed the day before, and on the day of making Campanne, it is combined with flour and water, adjusting the temperature of the fermentation room based on that day's temperature and humidity. The fermentation time of the bacteria is determined to ensure that it becomes active when it is time to start baking.
Using levain starter not only means a natural method but also has various benefits. It creates a complex flavor and aroma, the acidity characteristic of Campanne due to lactic acid bacteria, and because the bacteria break down the wheat, it is easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.
The unique acidity may be a matter of preference, but the taste grows on you as you eat it, becoming a favorite among the staff at the shop. Even those who are not familiar with it at first often become hooked after trying it.
Commitment 2: Domestic Wheat and Body-Friendly Ingredients
At GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS, we do not limit ourselves to domestic ingredients but have focused on selecting wheat suitable for bread, resulting in the use of mostly "domestic wheat."
Campanne uses a rare Japanese variety of wheat called "Sumurela." It has an exceptional fragrance and taste, which our bakery chef loves.
In addition to Sumurela, it includes Minaminokaori (produced in Kyushu), Kitano Kaori whole wheat flour (produced in Hokkaido), and Yume Blend (produced in Hokkaido), all of which are made entirely from domestic wheat.
Because Campanne is made with very simple ingredients—wheat, water, and salt—the taste of the ingredients is directly reflected. For the saltiness, we add Awaji Island seaweed salt and koji salt, where seaweed salt provides minerals that add depth, and koji salt naturally complements the levain starter dough.
Campanne may seem simple in appearance, but it is actually deep in flavor. When eaten without any additions, its richness increases with each bite, making it a fascinating bread.
Commitment 3: High Hydration and Flat Bread Baking
As the hydration level increases relative to wheat, it becomes extremely challenging to manage shaping and fermentation, requiring delicacy and skill in production. Campanne typically has an 80% hydration level for wheat, but at GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS, it is increased by 5% to 85%. Just a 5% increase makes handling more difficult, but it also makes the bread chewier, less prone to drying out, and able to maintain its delicious state for a longer period.
During baking, efforts are made to retain as much moisture as possible. Using a German-made flat oven, the bread is initially baked at a high temperature of 270 degrees Celsius to quickly develop a crisp surface and reduce moisture loss, then the temperature is lowered to thoroughly cook the bread. While homemade bread is certainly delicious, the ability to bake at high temperatures is a secret to the deliciousness unique to bakeries.
The committed Campanne. It is also available for sale in our online store, so if you're curious, please give it a try.
