Ballybrado has been known for its stoneground organic flour since 1983 and, more recently, also for baked products and mixes.
One of Ireland’s most famous organic veterans, Josef Finke, his wife Marianne and their family moved lock, stock and barrel from Germany to start their new life in organic farming here in 1983. Thirty six years on and they are celebrating with all kinds of activities to involve their old (and, they hope, new) customers.
Josef and Marianne have officially retired and the Ballybrado brand has passed down to their daughter, Julia, who is a chef and now developing new lines of organic products, notably baking mixes and snack foods - including the Ballybrado Megabite, which is a sort of cherry and chocolate power bar, stuffed with powerful bio-active ingredients...
Another lovely product to look out for is the crisp bread, which is handmade with cheese and pumpkin, and they do a very nice line in cereals and muesli, including a Junior Muesli aimed at introducing children to healthy eating, which took Gold at the 2012 Great Taste Awards.
The grains, flours and oatflakes they are most famous for are still available of course, milled in the traditional way by Donal Creedon at Macroom, and there are bread mixes - and a Little Bakers cake mix for children.
Julia also gives recipes and an online baking course on their website.
