Challah

A bread rooted in tradition and laden with symbolism, challah dates back to the 15th century and was made by Ashkenazie Jews in Eastern Europe. While the most common shape is the braid, its strands representing arms intertwined in love, there are many shapes, each having significance in marking certain occasions. In the 19th and 20th centuries, a challah braid was the special Sabbath bread European Jews, living very modest lives, enjoyed at the end of the week. They eagerly awaited it after having eaten hearty rye bread all week long. Our mahogany-colored challahs are made with organic wheat flour, lots of egg yolks, local honey from Gearig Apiaries in Ithaca, Michigan, yeast, and a little corn oil. The flavor is rich, but not too sweet. The texture is soft, but stands up to sandwiches, French toast, and bread pudding. During the Jewish High Holidays, we make Challah Turbans, representing the continuity of life, either plain or studded with rum-soaked raisins, and a five-stranded Moroccan Challah brushed with honey and topped with poppy, sesame, and anise seeds. Large celebration challah braids are also available by special order.