All Dressed Up

Did you know that we are one of a very few mills that are actually milling with stone? This is a true grist mill from New American Stone Mills, a Pennsylvania-based company that was founded with the aim to return to a rich milling and time-honored baking tradition. They produce some of the highest quality mills available in the country.

This equipment has already had a profound impact on the capacity, consistency, and quality of the milled products we offer. Made of Vermont Barre granite, and with a capacity of 300 pounds, we will now be able to mill larger quantities of the heritage grains our local farmers are growing and more closely monitor the quality of the flours.

Like any high-quality tool, a stone mill needs regular maintenance. Recently Andrew Heyn, owner of New American Stone Mills, visited us to redressing our stones—which is necessary to ensure the stones are clear and dressed for optimum milling.

This is the ancient form of milling, grinding the grain between two stones which are cut specifically for grain. Milling flour in this way is simple and elegant: two granite stones sheer and crush the grain into an exceptional flour that contains all of the natural, vitamin-rich oils from the germ (or embryo) of the grain. Most store-bought flours are produced using roller mills, which typically remove the germ from the grain to increase shelf-life for mass markets, but which also removes vital nutrients, and delicious flavors and aromas.

But that is not our model. We are here milling grain to provide fresh flour to the most dedicated artisan bakeries, chefs, and home cooks who are seeking out the healthiest and most flavorful products. You can tell that this mill was designed by a baker who understands bakers’ need for variety in their sifting. Whether coarser or finer, we can control the exact execution of the milling process.

We are so grateful for this beautiful mill. Our community can come in and watch us work first hand, as well as taste the breads and baked goods that come from these flours. We invite you to bring your groups for tours and demonstrations, as well as baking classes. Find classes and events at www.marksboromills.com or contact us to learn more.