As people are getting more educated on healthy living, more and more health food outlets such as organic food stores, restaurants and bakeries have boomed all over town. Of the many, the most notable one would be the Rainforest Bakery & Pastry with their internationally patronized shop located along Jalan Chulia in Georgetown, Penang. You would just need to walk into the bakery and you can feel the coziness and atmosphere of a traditional cottage-like bread house. The whole place has the nice aroma of freshly baked breads and the arrangement of the bread loaves, rolls and cakes of many shapes and size were indeed the work of an artisan bread maker. The best news is that all the breads here are freshly handmade daily from quality and healthy ingredients. They suggest that unclutterer has the best bread makers to help you enjoy your own bread right at home. That’s the reason the breads here are heavier and have different tastes, textures and shapes.
Managed by a pair of identical twins Jerry and Jesse Tan, this bakery is indeed a heaven for those healthy and organic bread lovers. With Jesse who had gone for a bread hunting trail throughout Europe, France, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic and absorbing hands on experience in each of the country, this little cottage like bakery do indeed produced one of the finest breads in the country. With Germany having the most types of bread (more than 300 types to be precise) and the world’s number one bread consumers, how would they not be the best in this region?
You would surely be spoiled by the wide array of choices these two bakers can produce. To name some here, they are Poppy or Sesame Bagel (RM1.50), Chelsea Bun aka Cinnamon Roll (RM1.70), English Scone (RM5/pack of 5pcs), Foccacia (RM3.70), English Muffin (RM4.50/pack of 4pcs), French Baguette (RM3.90), Grainy Baguette (RM4.80), Ciabatta (RM6.30), English Bloomer (RM4.20), Poppy Seed Bloomer (RM5.20), Rustic Onions (RM6.30/RM3.50), Volkron Brot (RM8.80 – also known as Pumpernickel Bread) and many more.
On top of that, they do have some quality cakes, cookies and muffins to make you drool for more. Their Chewy Nut Trail Cookie (RM3.80) is indeed my favorite as each cookie was filled with a generous amount of nuts and raisins. Moreover, it was mildly sweetened with natural honey. It’s great for those who are not so much of a sweet tooth. Even their Plum Muffin (RM2.70), Raisin Muffin (RM2.10) and Tropical Banana Cake (RM3/slice) were all made from fresh fruits. You should check out on their homemade Kaya (RM3 – Coconut Jam), Garlic Butter (RM7) and their 100% natural Fruit Smoothie (RM8 – Raspberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Lychee and Mango).
The list would go on and on as these two brothers would always try to experiment other different types of bread to cater to their needs of some expatriates and their guests from all over the world. You can have a look at the part menu list of what you could expect from the bakery. Please remember that it’s best to drop by their bakery to have a look at their complete products. Please click below to enlarge the flyer.
Another reason why I like to visit such healthy bakery is to source for some healthy bread for my family. When you have a household of diabetics, you might be wondering what would be the best bread for consumption. For sure any types made from solely white flour would be the ones to avoid. The ideal type would be Ezekiel Bread which is organic, flourless and rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and natural fiber with no added fat, as inspired by the Holy Scripture verse Ezekiel 4:9., “Take also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make bread of it…” . It’s quite hard to find such bread mass produced locally. Maybe I should produce my own from the recipe I have… if only I have the time. LOL! The next best alternatives as suggested by Jerry were their Sourdough Bread and French Farmhouse Bread.
Sourdough Bread (RM7/loaf) has a distinctively tangy or sour taste and that’s how it got its name. It took Jerry four days of leavening process just to produce a few loaves of the Sourdough Bread for the day as this type of bread does not go through the normal process of using cultured yeasts but with the reserved dough as starter. Consuming Sourdough Bread especially during the most important meal of the day, breakfast, would eventually lower the blood sugar level of a consumer. I would think that the fermentation process would have changed the nature of the starches in the bread making and it would be an ideal choice for diabetics.
Although Sourdough Bread would be good, not everyone could get accustomed to its slightly sour taste. Alternatively, French Farmhouse Bread (RM6.30/loaf) will be the next choice. The bread consists of different ingredients and it’s also fat and sugar free as the Sourdough Bread. It’s a traditional hand kneaded recipe where white flour, yeast, linseed (flax), sunflower seeds and millets would be used. That’s the reason you would hardly see the bread being of a standard size. Linseed or common flax seed has been widely used as a precautious measure for certain major diseases as well as stabilizing the blood-sugar levels of a diabetic. Moreover, the seeds have high fiber content.
Do you want to know what are the cereals and grains that you have in or on your bread? Here are the items that they have been using.
The best way to reach the shop would be by using Jalan Penang and turn left into Lebuh Chulia. Drive straight ahead and you would pass by Jalan Masjid (Sun Hotel) on your left and then Lorong Love (7-11). Slow down after Lorong Love and you would see the bakery just a few shop houses away on you left with a black signboard. It’s also located just opposite the famous night Curry Mee stall along Lebuh Chulia.
Name: RAINFOREST BAKERY & PASTRY
Address: 300 Lebuh Chulia, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-261 4641, 012-405 6276 (Mr. Jesse Tan)
Opening Hours: 10.00am-10.00pm (Closed Sunday)
GPS: 5.418328, 100.336631
RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 9/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7.5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
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The chelsea bun is actually cinnamon bread rite? I am looking for a place to get a tasty cinnamon bread. How does this taste?
p/s: MU fans can eat ar?? 😛
Yes Allie… The actual name is Chelsea Bun but most people called it as Cinnamon Bun. Hmmm… most probably that’s the reason they changed the name as other footbal fans might not be able to enjoy them.. LOL! By the way, the Chelsea Bun is great. 🙂
The cinnamon bread is a bit dry compared to the ones from Adventist Bakery.
Hmm… the two I bought back another day were fine. I think I should randomly check at different time of the day. The ones I bought were during tea time.
I heard lots about this bakery but have not visited them yet. Should make an effort to try it out. lol
Well, this is one of the good healthy bakery around. 🙂
wah, one of the finest bread in the world ah. I really regret didn’t follow to review that day. Btw, can bring me there again? 🙂
No problem Steven. Just tell me the time convenient to you. 🙂
One of my favourite place for my rye bread 🙂
Cool… then you should also try out the Volkron Brot. 🙂
my sis went there after i’ve published my post, complained like hell… she said so many flies and the buns by 11am all gone…
Hmmm… maybe that was a coincidental case. A few of us has been there for photography and not a fly was in sight. As for the buns going off fast, that showed that the business has been good. Even, when I was there at 11am, there was a continuous flow of customers, inclusive many tourists and expatriates. I guessed one might need to call in to book on their favorite bread/buns to avoid any disappointment.
This is really great stuff and feas for the eyes pics. Not easy to find even in KL.
It’s a surprise to hear this from you. I thought KL has a lot of healthy conscious folks?
multi fruit grain bread is my fave.
Tutti Fruiti?? 😛
chin: KL got…some plcs..Me a die hard bread fan..been hunting all of KL!
But mz say its cheaper in Pg laaa! this is my fav bakery..used to patron Continental til i gt pissed w their attitude.. lan si lan yong!
I 1st started their bread sold by the road side of Botanical Garden and at the back of Gleneagles Hospital..
Wow! You sure know their history well. 😛
Criz and ThenomadGourmand,
LOL on the use of “LSLY!” by thenomadGourmand. 🙂
Haha… nice use of words right Carrie? 😛
I’ll visit this place asap coz i love muffins and cakes as well………..The cakes and muffins seem so delicious……yummy:-)
It’s great to hear that Yeap 🙂
Thanks Criz, this is really great sharing! =)
I love the sound of this bakery already!!
Well, if you like healthy bread, this is the place for it 🙂
Hi Criz
Besides the rainforest’s bread, do you know any other food is for diabetics in Penang?
Hi Sherene… so far there are hardly any hawker stalls or restaurants that I know of which provide food solely for diabetics. The last one which I knew did not last long as you know most people will still go for food in this little food paradise island. You can try checking out one organic and healthy food shop along Lebuh Kimberley (the last second shop on your left before Jalan Kuala Kangsar and opposite the exit of Chowrasta Wet Market) in town or Young Heart Restaurant along Jalan Cantonment in Pulau Tikus.
If you are visiting the market or any of the botany stalls or shops, try find a plant by the name of Stevia (RM15 per small pot if I’m not mistaken). Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is the full scientific name and is commonly known as sweet leaf, sugar leaf or simply stevia. It’s a sugar substitute for any of your food as it has recently been approved by the FDA as safe for human consumption. It’s 300 times sweeter than sugar and is low in carbohydrate. You can check out more on its usage by through google or wikipedia.
I would also like to share with my readers too on the sort of food to avoid for a diabetic. Basically, they are:
1. Sugar or artificial sweetener (other than Stevia) or honey (you might not know which brand has added sugar in it).
2. “Sugar free”, “diet”, “low fat”, “healthy”, “light” labeled items which has been commercially packed.
3. Instead, take more greens as in fresh greens but avoid starchy vegetables such as potatoes, yams, etc.
4. Sweets and chocolates (although there are some brands with 70% more cocoa that has been labeled for diabetics. You may want to try them not more than twice a month if you crave for them).
5. Sweetened fruits, yogurt, cheese, milk (except directly fresh from the source), can/packet drinks.
6. Even certain fruits contained a high level of sugar. Try diluting one part of your fruit juices with 3-4 parts of water.
7. Lastly, do watch out your cereal and grain intake as in the breads and buns. White bread is the main culprit, so is cooked rice, pasta, biscuits, cakes, tarts, etc.
You might be wondering what else you can consume right? Anything else not stated above which ended up with basically poultry, fish and eggs (not Omega 3 eggs). Replace cream for your beverages instead of milk. Soy bean milk would be ideal but moderate the consumption as it’s believed to be rather toxic. There’s a but here… there’s other aspect of watching your food intake with all the fatty meats. I’m not a expert in that and I would recommend any diabetics to consult their own medical practitioners.
I hope that will answer most of the questions asked about diabetes diet. 🙂
i’m happy to know tht rainforest going to open another branches at sg ara, jalan kenari which is near my office… happy happy.. cant wait for it…
It would surely be great for many since that area do not have any health bread bakery. Thanks for commenting Sandy. 🙂
Hi, I’ve tried numerous hi grain bread in penang. I still think Adventist Bakery is the best especially their 3 seeds made from sprouted grains. Hassle to find parking in the hospital though.
I would agree that certain bakery has their own specialties. Adventist could perhaps be the best for what you like most. All bakeries sure do have their own loyal customers as well.
Criz, it makes me wonder, are you one of the shareholder of this bakery?? He He
Nope… not involved in any of the eateries anywhere in Malaysia. 🙂
Hey Sherene, you mentioned abt the plant Stevia rebaudiana and its price. Could I know where I can buy this plant?
Hi Nicholas. Thanks for coming here. I got the plant in a floral exhibition last year. I did try to find it in the local market here but was informed that you could only get them from Mainland Penang. Anyway, I hope the plants I gave to you will survive well since they have some roots. Happy planting. 🙂
will they consider having a branch nearer to / in singapore?
By the way, they have flourless bread right? Any flourless, wheat free bread? Difficult to find. It’s either flourless but got wheat, or wheat free but got flour.
Thanks
I’m not sure about that as both the twins are Penangites. You have to ask them about their future plans. 🙂
hmmm… bside these i know one of the bakery, in ASIAN STLYE producing heathy tasty & trendy ( healthy bread) From WAHAHA BAKERY, i c that they supply to lot of organic shop & also some hospital.
I think you are mentioning about the bakery at Sri Rambai, Bukit Mertajam, Penang (wahahabakery.com) right? They do supply to most of the healthy shops on the island such as Olive Green Organic Shop, Healthy DIY, Healthy Life House and even JenxDan Lifestyle Cafe. I heard that their charcoal buns are hot selling items.
YES Sri Rambai.
i’m not sure, but it suit our taste, teenagers taste.. ASIAN style.
The WHOLEMEAL CHARCOAL BREAD good..My mum love it… i love the green tea & red bean. I get it from their shop.
It sounded interesting. Get some for me next time to try out. 😛
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am seeking for a stable job in the bakery line. I have no experience in the bakery line but I am eager to learn.
I do hope to be given a chance to work in your shop. Hope to seeing your reply soon
Thanks
Why don’t you contact the bosses at the contact number I have provided in the post?
do you have Ezekiel bread?
Why don’t you give them a call to find out more? They might have pepped up different breads and buns from time to time.