Since developing an intolerance to gluten, I’ve started to treat every trip to the grocery store as a mini hunt for new and satisfying snack alternatives. Most crackers and breads I find are made from similar ingredients (think rice flour, almond flour, potato starch) and leave something to be desired from a texture perspective. So, stumbling upon Patagonia Provisions’ breadfruit crackers felt like striking gold. The blend of breadfruit, banana, and cassava flour with flax, sesame, and chia seeds makes for a satisfyingly crunchy bite, and the light sprinkle of Himalayan salt adds an addictively savory flavor.
If you’ve never heard of breadfruit before—you’re not alone. It’s just recently been gaining attention in the modern world. But this powerful plant has been around for centuries, being one of the first canoe crops the Polynesians brought to Hawai’i as a source of rich nutrients, like complex carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium.
Today, the plant is especially attractive for its ability to help fight climate change. “Breadfruit is one of the big game changers for carbon drawdown,” explains Birgit Cameron, head of Patagonia Provisions, which was launched by the outdoor clothing company to support regenerative agriculture, farming, and fishing. “The plants have these broad leaves that really efficiently pull carbon dioxide in from the air.” In addition to its positive environmental impact, the fruit also provides local food security and economic growth where it thrives in the equatorial band around the globe.
“Our big message is that we really want to ignite a collective action of people thinking differently about food,” says Cameron. “If we could all start choosing things that have a little bit more meaning, we can make a huge difference together.”
AJI MOLIDO BREADFRUIT CRACKER + FRESH ASIAGO
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard first encountered the aji molido pepper in the 1960s on the epic adventure to South America that inspired his company. “We specially grow it at 8,500 feet in the Salta region of Argentina to get it just right,” Cameron says. “It has this nice mellow heat to it, so mild fresh cheese is a really great combination.”
SEEDED TURMERIC BREADFRUIT CRACKER + GOAT’S MILK BRIE
This savory cracker has a subtle flavor of turmeric and is a reliable canvas for any fresh cheese. Add a smear of soft and creamy goat’s milk brie for a decadent blend of salt and tang.
HONEY SESAME BREADFRUIT CRACKER +MARINATED FETA
The balance of sweet and salty undertones in this cracker are great for pairing with cheese. Play off the mild sweetness with a salt-forward, marinated feta for an indulgent and complex bite.
Monica Petrucci
Monica is Culture's former Social Media Editor. Coming from a formaggio-obsessed Italian family, she was very excited to combine her passions for cheese and writing at Culture. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and pairing wine and cheese in her spare time.
