What is artisan bread?

Question

Today I heard the term artisinal bread and read it as artisan bread. I do not know what this is. I am curious: what makes artisan bread different from other types of bread? (and what are those types of bread, anyway?) what makes a bread artisinal?

I do not want examples. Throwing out examples is not the same as defining. I don't care if you can tell whether a bread is artisinal or not. Please give delineations, distinctions, and other rules that will help clarify the definition of this term to a degree sufficient for a dictionary, or so.

Answer 1

Artisan breads are hand made breads made in smaller batches than corporate bakery breads.  They are usually classic American,French, German styles.  They are made with strict standards, often organic ingredients, and are made with lot's of love.  Go to this link to get an idea of what artisan breads are.  http://www.zingermans.com/Category.aspx?...

Answer 2

If you look at the root of artisanal, which is artisan, an artisan is a craftsman, an expert in his field.

To me, artisanal breads are made in small batches by a baker, usually hand formed and baked.

The opposite is mass produced breads/store bought breads, such as Wonder Bread, where the entire bread making process is made by machines - mixing, kneading, forming and baking.  The only time a human touches anything is to open up the package of flour, press the button and bagging the final product.

Answer 3

Artisan Bread - Use of natural, sour starter; extended fermentation; hand shaped; hearth oven baked; chewy crumb; irregular cell structure; thick, crisp crust.

Answer 4

artisan bread is an advertising gimmick started by wal~mart in order to sell lesser quality breads and charge more money for them wal~mart thinks that if they sprinkle seeds and oil on the bread it will be better and command a higher price ,but it actually spoils faster than other store breads