Last week we received a message from a consumer who was curious to know about the cherries we use in our Cherry Pie:

“We just bought the cherry pie and we are wondering if the cherries are fresh or from a can?”

Michelle
Oakland, CA

What a great question to address in The Whole Cookie! The cherries—like all the fruits we use in our products—are what is called individually quick frozen (IQF) fruits.

IQF fruits are frozen within hours after they are harvested, locking in the flavor, nutrients, color and texture of fresh fruits. In the case of our apples and peaches, these fruits are peeled, sliced and treated with Vitamin C to preserve freshness and color before freezing.

This ultra-fast method of freezing the fruit to very cold temperatures (below -30°C) minimizes the formation of ice crystals, and stops microorganisms that normally cause the fruit to decay and deteriorate.

This week we received a question from a consumer regarding the sugar we use in our products:

“Is the evaporated cane sugar used in Wholly Wholesome vegan pie crust made without refining through animal bone char?”

Megan
Austin, TX

In addition to providing an answer to Megan directly, we thought we’d share our response here, and expand upon the topic to discuss in general the ingredients we use in our vegan products.

The sugar we use in our products (pie shells or otherwise) is NOT refined through animal bone char. We feel strongly that in order to label a product as “suitable for vegans”, all of the ingredients not only must contain NO animal products, but the ingredients must be processed WITHOUT the use of animal products as well.

Some consumers notice the ingredient legends on some of our vegan products contain the statement, “Made in a facility that uses dairy products.” In some cases, such as our Organic Pie Shells (which are certified Kosher Pareve) no eggs or dairy are used on the equipment at all, though eggs and dairy may be used on equipment elsewhere in the bakery. This is a requirement in order to claim the Kosher Pareve certification. In other cases — for instance, our fruit and pumpkin pies — our vegan products may be made using the same equipment used to produce other non-vegan products. However, between each production run, the equipment is thoroughly sanitized before beginning a new one, ensuring that all traces of the previous run have been removed.

At Wholly Wholesome, our primary goal is to produce baked goods that taste as good as or better than products made with artificial or conventionally refined ingredients and processes. In some of our products we are able to achieve this flavor standard without the use of animal products. Currently our vegan offerings include:

• all of our fruit pies
• our Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie
• Organic 9″ Pie Shells
• Chocolate and Graham Cracker Pie Crusts
• Pocket Breads

Thank you, Megan, for your interest in our Pie Shells, and thank you for asking!

This week a consumer wrote to us with a Passover-related question we though might be of interest to others as well:

“Is there any leaven in the flour that is used for your 9 inch pie shells? I ask because Passover and Unleavened Bread Feasts are coming soon for the Jews.  If leaven is in the pie shell then we have to abstain from the delicious shells for a week.”

N.H.
Baltimore, MD

That’s a great question, because while we do not use leavening in our Organic Pie Shells (Traditional, Wheat and Spelt), and while these items are certified kosher (OU Pareve), they are not considered kosher for Passover because of the flour.  Any grain that has come into contact with water for more than 18 minutes is considered Chametz, and therefore not kosher for Passover.  For most people that eat Kosher for Passover this means only matzo and things made with matzo meal.

Thanks for asking!