Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - "Make it, bake it, grow it" market fun awaits this Saturday! The Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers' Market-Tianguis Cultural features over 90 vendors with locally grown produce, one-of-a-kind artisan products, live music, on-site services and of course, ready-to-eat goodies.

Among those tasty treats are the fine artisan breads of Artisan Bakery. Owner Lorene Rivera moved to Puerto Vallarta in 1997 with the vision of bringing "real" bread to PV. Since opening her bakery's doors in 1998, she has been a "sourdough bread-u-cator" for thousands of tourists and locals.

What is Real Bread?

Real bread is Old World style European breads that are hand-shaped and baked in a brick oven. They are 100% naturally fermented and made from only flour, water and salt. Real breads are preservative and additive-free and are made without oil, butter, eggs, sugar, powered yeast or commercially produced yeast.

Sourdough Perfection

Sourdough is a "friendly" bacteria. It contains a culture called lactobacillus bacteria that produces lactic acid and gives off that signature sour flavor.

Although Artisan Bakery's sourdough "starter" originated in the San Francisco Bay area, it has since developed its own culture from wild yeast spores here in Puerto Vallarta. In fact, this tropical destination is the perfect environment in which to grow wild yeast!

Artisan Bakery's Bread-Making Process

The sourdough starter brings exceptional flavor and texture to all of Artisan Bakery's breads. Unlike that of commercial breads, naturally produced leavened breads take time and care through each step. They are carefully mixed, proofed and hand-shaped. The ability to control the fermentation for over 12 hours, the mixing, proofing and shaping is a process of artistry. In fact, each "rustic" loaf takes 30-40 hours to make from start to finish!

Artisan Bakery breads are made in their brand new bread oven - a Guilard style oven which has a separate fire box and low-vault ceiling. The intense heat makes the bread gases "pop," creating those well-known holes through each loaf. And nothing compares to baking in a brick hearth, which gives the finest crusts and textures.

Health Benefits of Sourdough Bread

There are several health benefits to naturally leavened bread. During the bread-making process, bran is broken down. This releases nutrients. The body absorbs minerals as the grains' acids are neutralized. With sourdough bread, complex carbohydrates are broken down into digestible simple sugars, and proteins are broken down into amino acids.

The fermentation of quality bread aids the digestion of all complex carbohydrate and restores the digestive tract.

Select Your Favorite

Treat yourself to Artisan Bakery's variety of breads. Favorites include: sourdough (baguette, round or loaf), whole wheat, New York rye, filone, ciabatta, focaccia, rustic grain, multi grain, artichoke spinach & 3 Italian cheese, apricot and raisin, jalapeño and cheese, garlic and cheese, sourdough cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, and scones.

Artisan Bakery is located at Calle Aldanaca No. 178 Local 9, Col. Versalles. Tel: (322) 223-8233. You can also find their products in the following locations:

• Mikey's Deli (Los Mercados)
• Frutas Vaca (near Mercado E. Zapata)
• The Coffee Cup (Marina)

Get to Know the OTFM

Ours is a festive "make it, bake it, grow it" North American style market that celebrates the tradition and culture of Mexico's outdoor tianguis markets. We are a registered non-profit/association civil organization that focuses on the "buy local" movement as well as entrepreneurial and community development.

You're Invited!

Join us this Saturday from 9:30 am-2 pm in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, Old Town. And be sure to save your appetite for the International Food Court (located under shaded pergolas on the eastern side of Lazaro Cárdenas Park). We're cooking up Thai, Indian, traditional Mexican favorites (tacos, empanadas, burritos and green pozole) and vegan dishes, such as hamburgers, al pastor & falafels.

The Old Town Farmers' Market-Tianguis Cultural is open every Saturday from November 1 to April 25. For only 10 pesos an hour, you can park in the garage directly beneath our Lazaro Cárdenas Park location. Public buses and taxis also come this way with a Pino Suarez Street drop off, just steps from the market. For events and updates, please visit OldTownFM.com, and "like" us on Facebook.

Click HERE to learn more about the Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers' Market.