December 2016
In the early 1970s Eden Foods wanted to encourage people to eat more whole grain. At that time, Rye Crisp and Shredded Wheat were the only whole grain foods to be found in American grocery stores. The unavailability of whole grain pasta seemed illogical. A search for a pasta maker that would provide it led Eden Foods to the Schmidt Noodle Company in Detroit, a company that specialized in serving the Polish community with Kluski Noodles and specialty pastas beginning in 1923. A working relationship gradually formed. After experimentation that included learning how to mill whole grain flour so it would make good pasta, a deliciously smooth and satisfying 100% whole grain organic spaghetti was realized. This led to organic EDEN whole grain pasta being offered to Midwest health and natural food stores, and co-ops, beginning in 1977.
In order to protect this source of supply Eden Foods purchased this pasta factory in 1982. We renamed it the EDEN Organic Pasta Company (EOPC). In 1989 EOPC became America's first, third party certified organic food processing facility. We fondly refer to this brick, Pewabic Pottery decorated building as a functioning museum. It certainly is a ‘survivor’ of over 93 years in north-central Detroit, consistently producing pasta every day.
Although the making of EDEN Pasta utilizes some very old machines, most visitors who see the process still consider it handmade after witnessing how the EOPC pasta makers turn flour into pasta. Over the past few years we have completely renovated the 1923 built factory, returning it to a condition that should serve its needs for another 90 years.
Lost Methods Maintained
Eden Foods has maintained the simple beauty of the Eden Organic Pasta Company's laborious tradition of small batch artisan pasta making using antique Italian equipment, brass macaroni dies, rolled laminated doughs, slow inside-out drying, and traditional know-how. A significant improvement made after Eden Foods took responsibility for this company was the change to exclusively using 100% organic Eden made or acquired grain flours, all sourced from American farmers other than the organic high altitude quinoa flour.
Dedicated, caring people working at this small factory have carried it forward by dutifully looking after handling and processing techniques that long ago disappeared from commercial pasta making. EOPC is listed as a green company on the Detroit Green Map.
The Finest Grain
Twenty-four varieties of 100% organic EDEN Pasta are made with seven family farm organically grown grains - high plains • golden amber durum wheat • Khorasan (kamut®) wheat • rye • buckwheat, California • short grain brown rice • spelt wheat from Michigan or Washington state and • high altitude quinoa from the Andes. Grain selection is critical, as is its after-harvest handling. The whole grain flour for EDEN pastas are milled at Eden Foods not far from the pasta plant in Detroit. Semolina and patent durum flour are milled at a North Dakota certified organic mill.
Organic vegetables and organic herbs are part of some of the pasta items. Carrot, beet, spinach, flax, parsley, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, and annatto seed impart flavor, colors, and phytonutrients.
Artisan Expertise
Each step in the making of EDEN Pasta is designed to result in the best flavor and texture. Flour is kneaded to develop dough. For ribbons or noodles the dough is rolled out or sheeted and folded over onto itself eight times and rolled again. This laminating of the dough results in firm pasta. The sheets are then cut into noodles. For the extruded or macaroni items such as spirals and spaghetti, dough is pressed through vintage brass dies and cut to length.
After forming, the macaroni and ribbons are inside-out steam dried, gradually reducing moisture. They are then finish-dried with air. Long uncut spaghetti strands are hung from racks to dry before being cut to length. Commercial pastas are microwave dried. After inspections the pasta is weighed, boxed, and bundled in shipping cases, stacked and wrapped on pallets ready to ship.
EDEN pasta boxes are reclosable, recycled and recyclable. Each has an Eden recipe on the back with a photograph of the dish prepared. Box colors indicates the percentage of whole grain - Gold is 100%, Blue is 60%, and Green is sifted semolina or patent durum wheat flour, all are 100% organically grown and handled.
Slow Fast Food
Pasta is an original fast food. Satisfying meal options are endless and ready in minutes with a wide variety of flavors, shapes, and colors of EDEN pasta. Nineteen of twenty-four EDEN pastas are whole grain. Unlike pasta made with refined flour, whole grain pasta is slowly metabolized and helps a body burn 25% more calories per day. Whole grain pastas are most appropriate nourishment, certain to please, and they deliver long-lasting satisfaction.
EDEN Pasta has no salt added and contains no oil, eggs, or untoward additives. All are 100% organic and Non-GMO verified. Free recipes and more EOPC information is at edenpasta.com
