Pitputim
Business of the Month: Pitputim
Pitputim, Israel’s First Spelt-focused Baking Company Sprouts From the Galilee
In an effort to choose healthier foods, many Israelis have been shifting from white flour products to healthier options such as spelt. But, a few years ago, when Keren Ziv Rabovsky started her baking business, now a collaboration with Katie Ball, it was almost unheard of to bake bread made solely from spelt.
Keren Ziv Rabovsky lived the corporate life, orchestrating events and projects when she got pregnant with her second child. While on maternity leave, she started to dream up new ideas and began dabbling in baking with spelt flour.
She made bread and cookies of all kinds and perfected recipes without added flours. She was on to something and sent out samples to friends and family. The feedback was positive, and she started taking orders from her home kitchen.
In 2010, few people even knew of the health benefits that spelt offers. For people with health issues, spelt is easier to digest and higher in fiber, making it an excellent iron source with a low glycemic index.
Eventually, Keren opened an adorable bakery, shop, and cafe in Rosh Pina, where she lived. People came to try her products after long hikes.
Later, Keren went on to open a bakery in the Dalton Industrial Park area, an area in the Upper Galilee surrounded by a plethora of vineyards and wineries. People came from all over to sample cookies, crackers, vegan pretzels, and pastries all made from spelt flour.
Fast forward to over a decade later, Keren and her partner Katie are supplying their products to stores all over Israel. Their most recent development on shelves is their award-winning borekas. These savory pastries are the ultimate indulgence for people who love borekas but don’t want margarine and unhealthy ingredients. They use all-natural ingredients, including fresh vegetables and high-quality local cheeses with options like the Greek version with red peppers, eggplant, onions, tomatoes, and the all-natural vegan tahini version. They have vegan versions too.
They come frozen and can be baked in at home, providing a healthy borekas option for families.
Karen and Katie continue to cast their spell on Israel’s food scene, and seems like nothing can stop them. Next stop, they plan to expand internationally and vow to change the landscape of healthy bread and bakery products worldwide.
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