If you're a home cook and at all curious about whole grains, you've probably picked up a bag of one of Bob Red Mill's fresh, organic products at your local grocery. Today I had the pleasure of touring the Mill (yes, it's very red, just like the packaging!) with Bob Moore himself. Read on to discover more of the inspiring story behind this remarkable, family-minded, whole foods-loving entrepreneur.
Bob, his wife Charlee and their three sons, have been working in whole grains in some capacity for about 40 years. But it wasn't always that way. Bob's trajectory to become a health-food advocate and producer was long and winding. He and his wife worked in other fields very successfully: electrical engineering, running a gas station, starting a farm, amongst a few other professions (wow!), while raising their family on honest, wholesome meals.
In the early 60s, Charlee began reading literature praising the merits of unprocessed food. Soon she was baking, cooking and feeding her family all of this delicious, whole food. Bob chanced upon a book about tending a grain mill, and began to order parts to create his own. With the help of his young sons, he decided it was time to assemble the parts to their first mill outside of the garage and in its own location.
What started as a passion for home cooking and Bob's interest in the way mills work evolved into a multimillion dollar company with organic products reaching home cooks all over the world. Living in Saudi Arabia and want organic, stone ground flax seed, milled just days before? No problem. Making buckwheat blinis in Sweden? Bob's got buckwheat groats and flour ready for you, complete with a label in Swedish.
Bob's mill is currently located in Milwaukie, Oregon, just a few miles south of Portland. Bob works with farmers locally and nationally, who deliver truckloads of un-refined grain to the facility. From here, the assortment of grains get sorted, shaken out and prepared for milling or packaging. Every step of the process is done in-house, even the the majority of the machinery used is created within the facility. (The mills used for grinding are made in Denmark.)
Bob has been creating certified gluten-free products for about 10 years, providing intense tests and measures for safety as well as an entirely separate packing/milling facility for these products. Their most popular item, flax seed, is milled in this area because it is gluten free. We tasted a small spoonful, and never have I enjoyed plain flax before that moment. It was so light and nutty in flavor and texture, about as fresh as it could ever be!
What was incredible about visiting the space was the sheer volume and scale of the space and what goes on there. The buzz of activity (mechanical and human) and room after room, full of huge flour sacks, boxes ready for shipping and the hum of the grinding flour — it was a remarkable sight. I could sense honesty and integrity behind all of Bob's products, not to mention the wholesome flavor and fantastic health benefits.
A Few Questions for Bob Moore of Bob's Red Mill
What prompted you to start milling all of the diverse grains you process?
“And God said, ‘See, I have given you (man) every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food’.” Genesis 1:29
As a person with great respect for the Bible and the words I read in it, the above quote which appears on the very first page of the book, continues to impress me greatly as an important statement made by our creator directly to the created. It has lain in my heart and mind as an important goal that I have been comfortable with for most of my life. Nothing pleases me more than to hear the scientific community of our modern day culture corroborate this statement through their research and study. The statement, "...every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth..." indicates to me that we need to look about and consider exotic and far-off places. We certainly have done this in recent years with our products teff, quinoa, amaranth, and sorghum.
Did you grow up on good, wholesome food?
No.
What’s your most important food memory?
The first whole grain loaf of bread that came out of my wife Charlee’s oven on our five acre farm back in the 60s was the most delicious loaf of bread I can ever remember smelling and eating. In fact, between the boys and I, we ate the whole thing before it ever reached room temperature. I think that was the major reason that won me over to a whole grain diet— that wonderful bread! Thanks, Charlee!
What’s your current favorite dish to make with one of your products?
You just can’t go wrong with a whole grain muffin. There is a wonderful recipe on the label of our flaxseed meal called "Bran Flax Muffin" that is full of nutritious ingredients like shredded apples, carrots, oat bran and nuts. It’s a great and easy way to get started baking with whole grains.
For a beginning cook, what’s one of your flours, seeds or grains you would recommend?
For a beginning cook, I would recommend starting simple with whole wheat pastry flour. This product can be used in place of conventional white flour for cookies, muffins and quick breads. Its whole grain goodness will make baked goods only slightly denser than when using white flour, and they will be much healthier. If the baker wants a lighter touch, I recommend using half whole wheat flour and half white flour.
What’s on the horizon for your mill? Any unusual new foods being developed?
We’re constantly looking for new ways to help people enjoy simple and authentic whole grain foods, so it’s no wonder we have over 300 items in our array of natural, organic and gluten-free products. This year we’re appealing to folks eager to get back to basics but short on time and culinary confidence by introducing four new super convenient granolas and three new fast-cooking Israeli couscous products. On the horizon, consumers can expect to see some innovative new gluten-free products that are healthy, natural and eliminate the historical taste-tradeoff in that category.
Do you have any favorite products from Bob's Red Mill? How do you use whole grains in your kitchen?
Related: Recipe: Apple & Cinnamon Whole Grain Breakfast Strata
(Images: Leela Cyd Ross)
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I love Bob's Almond Flour! I've used it believe it or not to bread fish dishes, it is delicious!
Really nice article! There are lots of true 'characters' out there. Whether they're growing acres of garlic or milling grains, all of them a liitle nuts and all of them pretty interesting. Thanks for introducing us to this one. Say hello to your Mom for me when you get a chance. Thanks, Rick Casner
I went gluten-free four months ago and cannot praise Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flours enough! It is so hard to find gluten-free flours and Bob's always has what I am looking for. Wonderful, wonderful company. Thank you!
First wanting to buy some things I can 'trust' and then as my girlfriend found out she was allergic to gluten, Bob's has been the one source to keep up with our changing dietary demands - and every product delivers. We just made a gluten free boule out of Bob's products and it was amazing - I've never been such a fan of any company before. Thanks Bob's!
Thank you for the write up about this interesting company. I'll be looking for their items in my local grocery.
What a lovely article! I hold Bob Mill's products in such high regard. I love the variety of hot cereal and have been buying their Muesli for my parents in India for a few years now. Thanks Leela for giving us so much more about the man behind the brand.
I adore Bob's Red Mill products, and this article just confirms everything ten fold! What a great guy! I only trust their gluten free steel cut oats after a horrible experience with another brand. And since my daughter also has a corn allergy, the variety of flours offered by Bob's Red Milll has been a lifesaver! If you are gluten free and haven't tried their coconut flour...you must!! It's delicious!
I love Bob's products. From quinoa and their new whole wheat pearl couscous, to any of their whole grain flours ... their products are always top-knotch. And on a lazy note, I appreciate not having to rinse the quinoa myself, as I constantly forget whenever I have gone with bulk bin product.
I use almond flour and hazelnut flour. While I cannot use them for everything (I have friends with allergies), I do use them frequently to make our foods a little more nutritious.
What a great brand, the man himself, along with the interview. Finally great variety of flours that are of great quality that you can trust.
I'm a huge fan of the quinoa, millet, almond flour - I haven't yet tried the hazelnut flour - sounds divine ;)
Finally flours, other than wheat - are readily available - thank you Bob!
Any chance you'd branch out into baked goods - I'm sure a crusty sourdough wheat free bread by Bob's Red Mill would be amazing! ;)
I live in a rural town and getting gluten free flours isn't always easy. Our local grocery has expanded to 4-5 Bob's gluten free products, enough that I can get by until an Internet order arrives. Love the millet and rice flours, make baking bread and muffins easy.
We love Bob's red mill. I particularly love the variety of flours -- especially chickpea and almond flour. While I don't have to worry about gluten, I know it's a great place for people who do and it's great that it's out there. We got to meet Bob ourselves a few months ago and were excited to see he is a "real" guy, not just a character on the packaging! http://threecleversisters.com/2011/02/23/bobs-red-mill-factory-tour/
Awesome article. Thanks so much.
What a nice article! I love Bob's Red Mill products. :)
Loved reading Mr. Moore's comments and his explanation of why he started his business! I so appreciate the quality of his products and have purchased them for many years. Now that two of my children are gluten-intolerant, I have come to rely even more on the integrity of his products. Thank you, Mr. Moore!
Bob is so cool. On his 81'st birthday he "sold" the company to his employees and it is transitioning to being employee-owned. His oatmeal won the Golden Spurtle Award for world's best oatmeal at the competition in Scotland.
I love Bob's 10 grain hot cereal SOOO MUCH! It's such a great filling alternative to oatmeal or box cereals. I try to make a batch every week oatmeal style and divide into those squat pint mason jars. I will definitely be trying out some of their other products!
Oh, my word. I know that all gluten-free folks out there like myself, especially in smaller towns, can't thank Bob's Red Mill enough for getting flours and other GF mixes out when we wouldn't get it otherwise. Wonderful.
I have used Bob's Red Mill Products for years. He used to give out free samples at the Portland Farmers Market. One of my favorites is the Old Country Style Muesli which I stir into yogurt-yummy! If you are ever in the Portland, OR. area, you must stop by Bob's Red Mill. All the products are available in bulk, so you can buy as much or as little as you like. The employees are very helpful and can provide you with cooking directions and recipes. They also offer cooking classes. Another thing that wasn't mentioned in your article was the fact that this is now an employee-owned business. When Bob wanted to downsize his workload, he chose to turn over ownership of the company to his longtime employees. He could just as easily sold out to some big corporation and pocketed the millions, but he's a man of honesty and integrity. You can expect the same from all his products.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Bob and he is just as wonderful in person. He truly cares about the people that work for him and the products that they make.
My favorite Bob's Red Mill product is the Gluten Free Corn Grits. Makes fantastic grits and wonderful creamy polenta!
I want to know the story behind the adult-sized tricycle!
I used to live about a mile from Bob's Red Mill and would stop on my way home a couple times a week to get a few items from their bulk section. My favorite Bob's item at the moment is the Organic Extra Thick Rolled Oats - makes the best oatmeal! Can't wait to try the whole wheat pearl couscous.
Bob's Kasha replaced my oatmeal after I had to go gluten free. (Can't eat oats at all.) I also use the almond flour in everything.
oh the adult-sized tricycle is what the technicians use to get around the facility, repairing what needs to be fixed all day long. Isn't the bike adorable!?
His 7-grain hot cereal is my favorite.
Bob's Egg Replacer is THE BEST!!!!!!
I enjoy the polenta!
the teff flour is amazing!
The Scottish Oatmeal (steel cut oats) is my go-to hot breakfast cereal. I actually have to have my sister buy it for me in another city; since my local grocery was sold, they don't carry as many of the Red Mill products (BOOOOOOO!).
I love the 5 and 7 grain hot cereal and I've started getting there Chia seeds to sprinkle on the cereal and in smoothies.
Nice to see that Bob is the real deal and not an invention of the marketing department of a conglomerate. I always enjoy using BRM products in my baking. Thanks, Charlee, for getting him started in this biz! As Cary Grant would say, "Good Stuff."
I use his potato starch to thicken soups & sauces. Great article.
Great interview, Leela! The pictures make me super nostalgic---Bob and his store are super cute!
What a great story!
My favorite Bob's Red Mill product is the whole wheat pastry flour. I use it in everything-even gravy!
The best Porridge (or as you like to call it, Oatmeal) I have found in the USA.
It really feels like you have a substantial meal.
It doesn't need any fancy embellishments. maybe a drop of milk and honey or sugar.
Great article. I live in Portland, OR and Bob's Red Mill is a wonderful asset to our community. The products are out of this world - I adore the pancake mix...
Until recently we lived down the road from the store and plant. We would go every week to get juice and a cookie. I would buy the large bags of steel cut oats. Yum! My son always looked for Bob when we went. People are so friendly and helpful. It is a great company to support.