Making Cookies from Bread Crusts... Ourhome Expands 'Food Upcycling' Initiative

Launch of Three Types of Frozen Dough, Supplied to Cafeterias and Business Partners
Recognition for Excellence of Upcycled Cheongip Kimchi

Ourhome announced on the 23rd that it will expand the development of food upcycling products for resource circulation. Food upcycling refers to reprocessing byproducts generated during food production or ingredients with reduced commercial value into new products.

Ourhome recently launched frozen cookie dough made using the crusts of bread generated during the food manufacturing process. There are three types: Dark Chocolate Pecan, Double Chocolate, and Macadamia Matcha. To enhance storage and manufacturing convenience, the product was developed in frozen dough form and is supplied to B2B (business-to-business) channels such as bakery corners in major company cafeterias nationwide and food material distributors. In the future, Ourhome plans to introduce finished cookies for general consumers and develop various eco-friendly bakery products beyond confectionery.

Ourhome Food Upcycling Cookies 3 Types. Provided by Ourhome

The three types of food upcycling cookies were made using bread crust scraps generated at Ourhome’s Ansan factory. At the Ansan factory, bread crusts are cut off to achieve a soft texture when making sandwiches, producing 2 to 3 tons of bread crusts per month. Some of these crusts were used as livestock feed, while others were discarded. The bread crusts are crushed and processed into breadcrumbs, then rapidly frozen and delivered to the cookie manufacturing plant. At the manufacturing plant, recipes were developed by optimally combining flour and breadcrumbs to maintain quality without compromising texture, resulting in the cookies.

Ourhome plans to continue research on food upcycling related to bread crusts to establish a resource circulation system from raw material procurement and starter culture production to finished product manufacturing. Currently, a patent application is underway for starter culture production technology using breadcrumbs processed from bread crusts, and active efforts are being made to stabilize product quality according to the amount of starter culture added.

Using food upcycled breadcrumbs can also enhance taste quality. Adding breadcrumbs to cookies can create a chewy texture and elevate the nutty flavor. Additionally, when making bread by adding starter culture made from processed breadcrumbs, the softening effect on gluten can increase the bread’s volume. This allows consumers to enjoy not only richer flavor but also a softer and moister texture.

Meanwhile, Ourhome’s Gyeryong factory, which manufactures tofu and bread products, is also promoting the commercialization of peanut cookies using okara (soybean pulp) generated there. Currently in the recipe development stage, the goal is to commercialize the product within the year.

An Ourhome representative said, “We are focusing on food upcycling not only to create new added value but also from an eco-friendly perspective for resource circulation, and this is leading to actual results. We will continue to strive for innovative food development that provides not only taste and quality but also environmental value.”

Meanwhile, Ourhome is pursuing various activities aimed at realizing the value of resource circulation. ‘Gussi Banga Cheongip Kimchi,’ made from the outer leaves of cabbage called cheongip, was selected as the best innovative product at SIAL Paris 2024, the world’s largest food exhibition, in October last year, recognizing its resource circulation value. In addition, in 2022, Ourhome’s Gyeryong factory was recognized by the Ministry of Environment for resource circulation by recycling bread crumbs, okara, and other materials into livestock feed and feed ingredients. Last October, the company was also acknowledged for its efforts in resource circulation by establishing a plan to recycle waste cooking oil generated at Ourhome’s Eumseong factory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.