George Torr and Ian Skye reported from Derby for BBC News that Miyo Aoetsu, a British baker, has been awarded the prestigious title of Britain’s best loaf. Her winning creation, a brioche bread infused with lemon and Earl Grey tea, wowed judges and earned her the top spot in the Britain’s Best Loaf competition. This is the second time Miyo has claimed the prize, previously winning with her green loaf flavored with matcha, white chocolate, and fruit in 2023.
Operating Kuma-San Bakehouse from her home in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, Miyo supplies businesses and bakes loaves for customers to collect. The bread that caught the judges’ attention impressed them with its unique flavor profile, featuring Earl Grey tea, and limoncello-soaked candied lemon peel, combined with lemon curd and juice for a zesty finish. Miyo revealed that the secret ingredient in her winning loaf was a Japanese citrus fruit called yuzu, which gave the bread a kick.
Although the road to perfection was not easy, with Miyo admitting to making about 45 loaves before reaching the final product, her hard work paid off. The baker, originally from Tokushima in Japan, met her husband in Manchester and later lived in Luxembourg and France, where her passion for baking bread began. Inspired by her time in France, Miyo started baking her own bread upon returning to England and continues to push the boundaries of traditional baking by incorporating both Western and Japanese elements.
In a heartwarming gesture, Miyo expressed her joy at keeping the prestigious award in Derbyshire, emphasizing the exceptional quality of bread found in the region. Looking forward to her next creation, she highlighted her ongoing experimentation with combining Western and Japanese cultures in her baking, showcasing her commitment to innovation in the world of breadmaking
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
