Fragrant cookies, delicious gingerbread … the pre-Christmas season is the peak season for baking. But homemade bread, cakes and cookies are also very popular throughout the year. Is it possible to bake with a green conscience and in a healthier way? Yes, it can and we are going to give you tips so that you can apply them at home.
Many of us try to eat sustainable food. That is why we choose seasonal, local and organic products, and we do not consume anything that has caused animal suffering. But, when it comes to baking … is it easy to do it in an environmentally friendly way and also saving resources?
HOW TO BAKE IN AN ECOLOGICAL AND HEALTHY WAY
It is often the small details that are decisive in conscious cooking. Not only the ingredients you buy are involved, but also the utensils you use and the preparation techniques you use.
1. Choose the oven well
Let’s start with the oven: ideally, its energy rating is “A +++”. Although the cheapest and most sustainable option is the solar oven, where you can prepare simple pastry recipes, such as sponge cakes, carrot cake or millet tartlets. It will not be the best option for every day, but the solar oven is a luxury for sustainability and any recipe tastes better (and it is very surprising at a gathering of friends).
2. Do not forget to preheat the oven
Saving resources begins with preheating the oven. You have probably come across many pastry recipes that tell you to preheat the oven before inserting the dough. However, this is only really necessary in very few types of preparation, so avoiding it you can save up to 20% energy.
3. Choose the right molds.
You must also make a conscious decision when it comes to choosing baking pans. With some you can achieve faster results through better heat distribution, which in turn also reduces energy consumption.
Ceramic enameled metal baking pans last up to 10 years, ensure heat is optimally distributed, and can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius. Cast iron ones are also recommended.
A cheaper option is ceramic or glass baking sheets.
On the other hand, Teflon-coated molds should be avoided because they have an unfavorable heat distribution, are not very resistant and can release harmful substances if they are subjected to very high temperatures.
4. Grease better than using parchment paper
Parchment paper is practical, but it is a disposable product and is coated with substances that are not biodegradable. If you want to be safe and protect the environment, simply grease the baking sheet.
5. Opt for wooden or stainless steel utensils
Make sure other baking utensils, such as dough rollers, beaters, spoons, piping bags, or decorative accessories, are as durable and of the best quality as possible. Choose products made of wood and stainless steel rather than plastic or silicone.
If you have questions about which utensil to use, the Conasi website offers utensils for a natural kitchen.
6. Use organic ingredients
Truly sustainable cooking can only be successful with organic ingredients. However, make sure that they are also produced fairly. This is especially important with foods that are produced far from Europe (e.g. chocolate, cocoa, and some nuts).
The Fair Trade Naturland and Demeter seals offer the most social guarantees.
7. Buy local and seasonal ingredients
Go with the times and rely on regional and seasonal ingredients whenever possible: it is not necessary to make a strawberry shortcake in winter because the strawberries you find in the supermarket have a long journey behind them and therefore a high standard of CO2 emissions. It is more climate-friendly to use regionally and seasonally available foods. How about a pumpkin or carrot cake in winter, for example?
8. Whenever possible, make it home
You can also prepare the basic ingredients yourself: you will save money and unnecessary delivery routes simply by making the ingredients for baking, in the quantities you need. For example, you can make oat milk, sourdough, vanilla sugar, or your own vegan butter yourself. Some of these things can be made in larger quantities at one time and then stored.
