New Artisan range of breads from top Northern Irish bakery

Irwin's Bakery, Northern Ireland largest independent baker, has launched a new Artisan bread range.

The family-owned bakery, which is based at Craigavon in county Armagh, has introduced two loaves in the new Artisan range - Sourdough and Seeds and Grains.

The company says the new breads are produced using traditional baking methods on the 'soul of the oven' and are "hand moulded and slow-cooked".

Both the Irwin's Sourdough and Seeds and Grains products are available in 600g loaves at RRP £1.25-£1.50. The new range has been launched initially in Northern Ireland and is available in Tesco, Sainsbury, Dunnes, Mace, SuperValu, Mace and Nisa Spar stores.

The bakery says the sourdough is low in sugar, a source of fibre and has just 132 calories. The seeds and grains is low in sugar and high in fibre with 136 calories.

Colette Wilson, marketing manager at Irwin's, commenting on the new range, says: "Through our new Artisan range, we are able to offer consumers two unique products, which showcase our distinctive fermentation and batch bread baking process - hand moulded and baked on the soul of the oven.

"As we continue to invest in new product development, the new range reflects our aim to create harmony between time-honoured traditions and current food trends. The Artisan range gives shoppers the opportunity to trade up to more premium breads, especially around eating occasions such as a weekend brunch."

Another healthy eating development from the bakery was its Better You range, which is now available in multiples and convenience stores and includes both white and wholemeal loaves, both of which are low in sugar and fat.

The enterprising company, famous for brands such as Nutty Krust, has been in business for over a century and currently employs around 400 people at its state-of-the-art bakery in county Armagh.

Irwin's also supplies its range of breads to Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's in Britain.

The company's successful portfolio includes cakes and biscuits produced under the Howell House brand.

Irwin's was founded in 1912 by W.D. Irwin and his wife Ruth in Portadown, county Armagh and it remains a family-run business.

It has won a series of UK Great Taste Awards and World Bread Awards for its products. The company also exports products to the Middle East and Hong Kong.