Ashery Country Store

Frequently Asked Questions

BAKING

Q: How long does yeast remain fresh?

A: Yeast stays fresh for 6 weeks on a shelf, 4 months in a refrigerator, and 1 year in a freezer. Place the yeast into another freezer bag when freezing it. The yeast may be used directly out of the freezer.

Q: When is sucanat used?

A: Sucanat is equal to and may be substituted for white or brown sugar when called for in recipes. It dissolves easily and has a slightly stronger molasses flavor than either brown or raw sugar.

Q: What is the difference between Golden Flax Seed and Brown Flax Seed?

A: As far as nutritional value there is no difference. When using flax seed to bake, the Brown Flax Seed will leave the finished product looking darker in color.

Q: What is the best way to store Flax Seed?

A: Whole flax seed can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, however, ground flax seed is more likely to become rancid. Ground flax seed can be stored in an airtight, opaque container in the refrigerator for up to 90 days, or for better results store in the freezer. In order to obtain the most value, grind the flax seed in a coffee grinder, or blender, just before using it.

CHEESE

Q: Which cheeses are low-fat and low-salt?

A: Lacey Swiss, Heidi Ann Swiss

Q: How long is Mild Swiss aged?

A: 1 to 2 months

Q: How long is Sharp Swiss aged?

A: 9 to 12 months

Q: What is the difference between Pepperjack Cheese and Hot Pepper Cheese?

A: Pepperjack is Monteray Jack cheese and contains Jalapeño and Habanero peppers. It is a natural cheese. Hot Pepper cheese is a processed cheese with White American for its base and has Jalapeño peppers added. A processed cheese is not a natural cheese.

FLOUR & OATS

Q: Which flour is the best for baking bread?

A: Our High-Gluten Flour is recommended for bread. Gluten is the ingredient that helps the bread to rise. This flour works well in a bread machine.

Q: Which of your flours are gluten free?

A: Sorghum Flour, All- purpose baking Flour, Corn Flour, Almond Meal/ Flour, Potato Flour, Tapioca Flour. The Rice Flour, Soy Flour, and Buckwheat Flour are ONLY naturally gluten free.

Q: What kind of wheat are the different kinds of flour made from?

A: Bread flour is made from hard wheat, while cake and pastry flour are made from soft wheat. All purpose flour usually has a mixture of both soft and hard wheat. The biggest difference is the protein count. The higher the protein the higher the gluten count will be. Bread flour has the highest count.

Q. What is the difference between Sprouted Whole Wheat Flour and Regular Whole Wheat Flour?

A. The sprouted flour is made from wheat kernels that have been sprouted and air dried before they are ground. The germ of the kernel has been dissolved and therefore the flour digests as a vegetable instead of a starch. When the flour is ground very fine it leaves your finshed baked goods lighter than regular whole what flour. Sprouted flour can be used as a one for one replacement to all-purpose flour in most recipes.

Sprouted grains have increased proteins, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Add nutrients to your baked goods, pasta, breads, and pizza crusts by using Sprouted 100% Whole Wheat Flour.

Q. How long does oatmeal stay fresh?

A. 1 year unopened, after it's opened 6-12 months.

Q. What is the difference between Regular, Old-Fashioned Oats, and Steel Cut Oats?

A. Steel Cut Oats are the heart of the oats cut in pieces. To cook it for cereal use 4 cups water to 1 cup oats and cook for 20-25 minutes. It has a chewy nutty flavor.

Regular Old Fashioned Rolled Oats are steam rolled. For cooking use 1 cup water to 1 cup oats and cook for 3-5 minutes.

HONEY

Q: Why does honey crystallize?

A: Raw honey is processed at low heat and will crystallize if it gets too cold. Crystallized honey is not ruined; simply warm it up and it will return to its liquid state.

Q: What is the difference between raw honey and processed honey?

A: When honey is heated to 160 degrees or above, the heat kills the enzymes in the honey and it is no longer considered raw.

Q: Is honey comb edible?

A: Yes, you may eat the honey comb in the honey.

JAM

Q: What is Bumbleberry Jam?

A: It is a blend of blueberries, red raspberries, and strawberries.

Q: What is the difference between jam, jelly, and preserves?

A: Jam is made with mashed fruit and sugar. Jelly is made with strained fruit juice and sugar. Preserves are made with coarse pieces of fruit and sugar.

MEAT

Q: What's the difference between sausage and kielbasa?

A: The difference is found between the seasonings of the two. Kielbasa has seasonings which contain garlic and also MSG, whereas sausage does not.

Q: What is Canadian Bacon?

A: It is the center cut of boneless loin, and the sirloin end has been cut off. Another name for it could be center-cut pork loin.

Q: What is the difference between the Premium Ham and the Cottage Ham?

A: Premium Hams are taken from the hind quarters, the same as large hams. It is usually more lean than the Cottage Ham and is used for slicing and breakfasts. The Cottage Ham is taken from the shoulder and is usually not as lean as the premium ham. It is used in cooking beans and soups.

OTHER

Q: Can you freeze butter?

A: Yes, for up to 6 months.

Q: How many pies can one tube of fruit pie filling make?

A: One tube of fruit pie filling makes one 9" pie. The shelf life of an unopened tube is 9 months. Once opened the pie filling should be kept refrigerated and is recommended that you use it within 2 weeks. Pie filling may be baked in an unbaked pie shell or may also be used cold in a baked pie shell or graham cracker crust. Tip - The pie filling will set up well after being refrigerated. This is not applied when baking the pie filling.

Q: Where should candied fruit be stored?

A: Candied fruit should be stored in a cool, dry place with low humidity, as that is a very important key. If properly stored they can be kept from one year to the next. It is not recommended to store candied fruit in a refrigerator as they tend to get sugary and crystallize.

Q: What is the difference between instant chicken broth and chicken base?

A: The difference is that chicken broth does not contain any meat products while chicken base contains chicken fat and meat.

Q: What is the difference between instant beef broth and beef base?

A: The difference is that beef broth does not contain any meat products while beef base contains beef fat and extract.

Q. What is the best way to keep chicken and beef base from getting hard?

A. Place the chicken or beef base into another freezer bag and keep it in the freezer. It may be used right out of the freezer and doesn't hurt to thaw and refreeze.

Q: What kind of sweeteners are used in Sugarfree Ice Cream?

A: Sorbitol, Dextrose, and Aspartame (Nutra-Sweet)

Q: Is the Vegetable Snack Mix fried or baked?

A: It is vacuum fried, which means dipped in oil and baked at a very high heat. They are cholesterol free.

Q. How long do dried beans keep in storage?

A. Recommended : 1 year.

Q. How long does Brown Rice stay fresh?

A. 1 year unopened, if opened and in the cooler, 6 months

Q. What is the difference between the 3 kinds of Molasses?

A: Supreme and Blackstrap molasses are made from sugar cane juice. The strength in flavor is determined by how often and how long it is boiled. Blackstrap has the strongest flavor. Sorghum molasses is made from the juice of sorghum cane. It is used in baking or as a syrup and is sweeter than the other two.

SPICES

Q: How long do spices stay fresh?

A: As with all foods, storage conditions will help determine the length of freshness in spices. With an airtight container stored in a dry place at room temperature, spices will stay fresh up to 9 months, or they can be frozen and kept fresh for up to a year. Spices may be used directly from the freezer.

Q: How do I keep garlic and onion powder from hardening?

A: The best way to keep garlic and onion powder fresh is to place the bag of powder into another plastic freezer bag and store in the freezer.