Five Bakeries for Artisanal Bread

Calling all bread-heads! Let's talk baking bread—artisanal bread, that is.

Bread-making is as fundamental as it gets when it comes to the kitchen arts. Being an artisan bread baker requires not just know-how but masterful technique to turn out beautiful loaves, boules, baguettes and more.

At the heart of this kind of bread-craft is approach. Artisanal bread baking is a way of life and far removed from what goes on in most factories and kitchens. These masters take their sweet time, knowing that quality dough structure and successful results come from slow fermentation. There is no rushing in artisanal breadmaking.

Across South Carolina, you can experience culinary works of dough art. Here are five South Carolina baking operations with a dedication to crafting artisanal bread. 

Rise Bakery, West Greenville

From humble farmers market beginnings to the upper echelon of Greenville restaurants, Rise Bakery has earned its name and a stellar reputation.

The bakery does brisk business as does its wholesale operation. The fact that their naturally leavened artisanal breads are prominent on so many local menus is a testament to quality: The Anchorage, CAMP, Indaco, Rotie by Stella's, Passarelle and Soby's are among the many, many establishments that rely upon Rise breads.

Baking notes: Using Old World methods, the bakers make everything by hand and partner with local purveyors for their ingredients, from cold stone-milled, whole grain flour to eggs and cheese. 

Best-loved breads: Ciabatta, cinnamon raisin, challah, Carolina ground whole wheat

Breadsmith, Fort Mill

An Old-World maker of rustic breads, Breadsmith shuns additives and preservatives. Everything is made fresh daily using simple, nutritious ingredients.

They have snagged top honors from a host of impressive culinary media, including the National Restaurant Association, Modern Baking, International Culinary Salon and Bon Appétit.

Baking notes: All breads are baked in a 5-ton, European hearthstone oven.

Best-loved breads: Whole wheat, ciabatta, Cuban bread, French peasant bread, country buttertop, rustic Italian, sourdough

EVO, North Charleston

After five years of stellar pizza service to the Lowcountry, this ambitious little bake shop aimed to fill the artisanal bread niche.

In 2012, they opened a dedicated bread bakery next to the pizzeria and it has been a hotspot for fresh breads ever since. In addition to direct sales, they also supply a number of restaurants and retailers in the region.

Baking notes: European breads are the bakery component’s area of expertise with an eye toward using local ingredients and the application of techniques to produce handcrafted products. 

Best-loved breads: Semolina, country wheat, Abruzzi rye, sour wheat

Great Harvest Bread Company, Greenville

You’ll know by the smell of warm bread baking that you are nearing this popular artisan-run bakery.

A small but robust operation, Great Harvest Bread Co. specializes in what they term “honest” breads, harkening back to days of old when baked goods required attention, patience and know-how.

Baking notes: They only use flour from non-GMO wheat and no chemicals are found in their ingredients. Everything is also done by hand here—including milling their flour in house—just the way it was back in the day. 

Best-loved breads: Chipotle cheddar, sun-dried tomato, gluten-free buckwheat brown rice bread, superfood bread, whole grain bread

Sprout Momma Breads, Hilton Head 

Sprout Momma is burgeoning on Hilton Head Island, turning out fragrant loaves that are overwhelmingly island-approved.

What began as a home kitchen operation eventually grew into a bustling family business for Kim Tavino, whose son, Ryan Fennessey, serves as a baker. If you are envisioning a particular kind of bread to fit a nutritional profile or have a flavor on your mind, give them a call.

Baking notes: Their specialty is custom breads using sprouted whole wheat, sprouted ancient grains and natural wild yeast. Organic ingredients are in full force as are some locally produced ingredients. 

Best-loved breads: Wheat sourdough, rosemary olive oil, buttermilk molasses, almond date whole wheat, cinnamon cranberry