Bear’s Mill

 

The Historic Bear’s Mill was built in 1849 by Gabriel Baer it is still one of the few operating water-powered mills left in Ohio. We watched a video on the Mills restoration and received a guided tour from their apprentice.

Bear’s Mill still grinds grain into flours and meals using the same cool grind practices as old-world millers. 

Grain makes its way through the French Buhr millstones to produce a minimally processed product.  Millers were of the opinion that French Buhr millstones made superior flour. 

French Buhr was quarried in La Ferte-sous-Fauarre, France, in the late 1700s and early 1800s.  Chunks of the stone were banded together to make a millstone, once the quarry became depleted.

Interestingly, Millstones have been around for thousands of years. They’re mentioned in the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

Yellow Cornmeal and Whole Rye Flour was our purchase on our visit. 

FYI: Rye flour should not be substituted for all-purpose or bread flour as it has different gluten-forming properties.