Welcome to Ciabatta.co.za, your trusted source for authentic European-style ciabatta. Established in 2012 in the coastal town of Cannon Rocks, our bakery began as a passion project to serve the local markets. John Deacon, our founder, has over 20 years of expertise in the art of baking authentic ciabatta. He perfects each loaf with tried-and-true techniques that simplify the complexities of traditional artisanal baking.
Our mission is simple but profound: to offer authentic artisanal ciabatta crafted with natural ingredients. Each loaf emerges from our ovens with the hallmark characteristics of genuine ciabatta—airy crumb, distinctive texture, rich taste, and perfect shape—thanks to our adherence to traditional folding methods. Nearly two decades of refining these methods allows us to consistently deliver bread that sets the benchmark for authentic European-style ciabatta.
Meet John Deacon: From Corporate Professional to Artisan Baker
John Deacon's story is one of transformation, from a high-flying corporate executive in the IT world to a revered artisan baker along the serene South African coast. His international career spanned various countries, honing skills that he now channels into aiding entrepreneurs to solidify their visions and make strategic choices. He also guides seasoned professionals through the dynamic terrain of digital media.
Embracing Simplicity and Authenticity
For John, Cannon Rocks is not merely a place, but a haven where his deepest passions were realized. After years of international travel, he found his haven in this charming coastal village. In John's words, it represented "a simplicity on the far side of complexity." It's here that he transformed his lifelong love for baking into a flourishing endeavor, delighting both his community and those who seek the genuine taste of European-style ciabatta.
Explore more about John and his journey on his website here.
Discover Unmatched Flavor in Every Bite of Ciabatta!
When it comes to taste, our artisan ciabatta stands out as an authentic culinary experience. Each loaf delivers a robust flavor that captures the essence of wholesome bread with substance. Relish the signature crunch and inviting aroma that never disappoints.
Crafted with a perfect blend of earth, water, air, and fire, our ciabatta offers a unique and delightful experience in every bite. The harmonious fusion of these elemental ingredients ensures that each loaf rises to meet your highest expectations for quality and flavor.
POEM
The Alchemy of Ciabatta
In the quiet hearth of ancient fires,
Where flour and water conspire,
A sacred dance of elements begins,
In the humble alchemy of ciabatta's kin.
Yeast, a whispering spirit, awakes,
In the moonlit warmth, it partakes,
Crafting air from the unseen,
Weaving magic in the dough serene.
Salt, the earth's crystalline tears,
Balancing flavors, easing fears,
A grain of truth in every bite,
A guardian in the silent night.
Water, the essence of life's flow,
Melding with wheat, a golden glow,
In their union, a story told,
Of rustic days and nights so bold.
The baker, an alchemist true,
With hands that caress, shape, and imbue,
In each loaf, a world's entire,
A simple art, yet divine fire.
In the oven's belly, transformation,
A ballet of heat and creation,
Crust crackling, like old parchment scrolls,
Revealing tales that the heart extols.
Ciabatta, not just bread, but a soul's journey,
A voyage through time, without an attorney,
In its crumb, the universe expands,
A symphony played by artisan hands.
Each slice, a meditation, a prayer,
Of life's fleeting moments we share,
In the quiet breaking of bread,
Lies the wisdom, hermetically led.
So, let us savor with reverence, this gift,
In each bite, let our spirits lift,
For in ciabatta, there's more than meets the eye,
A mystic tale, beneath the sky.
Attempting to compress a typical store-bought white bread loaf with your hands often results in a squashed, misshapen mess, akin to pressing a fluffy cloud of cotton candy into a dense clump. However, this isn't the fate of a genuine artisan-baked Ciabatta. While no bread is entirely indestructible (perhaps a steamroller might have its way), the resilience of an artisan ciabatta loaf is remarkable. Hand-flattening it won't diminish its structural integrity. Discover the durability and exceptional quality that distinguishes authentic ciabatta from ordinary bread.
Premium Ingredients for Unmatched Quality
To craft the finest Ciabatta, we source our flour from hard red wheat grown in the fertile soils of Western Cape, South Africa. This premium grain undergoes traditional stone grinding to maintain its exceptional purity. For optimal hydration, we rely solely on fresh rainwater caught from the sky. And to elevate the bread's flavor profile, we incorporate mineral-rich desert salt that has been naturally crystallized. These high-quality ingredients come together to create Ciabatta that stands apart in texture, taste, and authenticity.
The Pinnacle of Artisan Bread: Ciabatta with a 100% Quality Guarantee
Ciabatta, which means 'slipper' in Italian, emerged in 1982 as a modern reinterpretation of age-old artisan bread-making techniques. Although the bread itself is only a little over three decades old, its impact has been substantial.
With over 20 years of meticulous observation and practice, Artisan Baker John Deacon founded this website to champion the authentic qualities of artisanally baked Ciabatta. John, a former corporate executive in IT who hails from a settler family rooted in the Eastern Cape, is committed to preserving the integrity of this beloved bread.
We hold the quality and appearance of Ciabatta in the highest regard. A freshly baked, aromatic, and authentically styled Ciabatta loaf is a sight to behold and a taste to savor. It's no wonder that Ciabatta has quickly become the world's most sought-after artisan bread.
100% Authentic and Rustic Ciabatta Bread
Shape, Crumb, Texture
The 3 qualities that make Ciabatta stand out above the rest is firstly the unmistakable SHAPE of a perfect Ciabatta.
Ciabatta means 'slipper' in Italian.
The shape of an authentic Ciabatta is the most visible part in spotting and identifying the real deal. Through an artful eye and skilled hands, an artisan baker crafts and shapes its distinct characteristics.
“ We want everyone to experience the low gluten qualities and rich characteristics of artisan bread — Ciabatta is a signature bread.”
The second quality of Ciabatta is the texture of the crumb and the delicate yet sturdy strands. The texture is what you expect from a quality artisan bread that is both robust and versatile, suited for many occasions.
Authentic Ciabatta loaves can handle the punch, they are structured with spring and bounce to handle tough situations as well as refined presentations.
