Homemade Bread vs Store Bought
With the ever rising cost of living and the shifting of our society, it’s more important than ever to know how to make things from scratch. Especially bread. Making your own bread can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do you get to enjoy the satisfaction of creating something from scratch, but you can also save money compared to buying bread from the grocery store. It’s a small step toward self-sufficiency, but a step nonetheless. In this post, we will break down the cost of making a loaf of artisan bread at home and compare it to the cost of buying a similar loaf from the store.
* It’s important to note that the cost of ingredients will vary widely based on your location, brand of item, and store of purchase. I suggest shopping around, if possible, to secure the best prices. *
A single loaf of simple “artisan” bread consists of:
| Ingredient | Purchase Price | Weight | Recipe | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 11.97 | 10kg | 1 cup | .15 |
| Instant yeast | 4.97 | 100g | .25 tsp | .07 |
| Coarse sea-salt | 1.94 | 200g | .5 tsp | .03 |
| EV olive oil | 6.97 | 1L | .5 tbsp | .05 |
| White sugar | 2.97 | 2kg | .5 tbsp | .01 |
| Total | .31 |
Based on the amounts used in the recipe, the total cost comes out to be around $0.31 per loaf. That’s a significant cost savings compared to buying from the grocery store, which can range from $4 to $8 per loaf. Based on the initial ingredient amounts, you can make a total of 80 loaves before you run out of flour and salt. At $4 a loaf in the grocery, that’s almost a $300 difference.
Not only can making your own bread be cost-effective, but it also allows you to control the ingredients that go into your bread. You can choose to use organic, non-GMO, or locally sourced ingredients, depending on your preferences. Plus, homemade bread doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives, which is always a plus when it comes to food.
Of course, making your own bread does require some time and effort. You’ll need to set aside some time for mixing, rising, and baking the bread. But the end result is well worth it – a freshly-baked loaf of bread that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
While making your own artisan bread at home can be a cost-effective and rewarding experience, it’s also an essential skill. With a little bit of time and effort, you can enjoy the satisfaction of reducing your dependence and creating something delicious and nutritious, all while saving money in the process. Give it a try and see for yourself how easy and delicious independence can be!
