Questions and Answers
Ordering and Parking
We encourage pre-orders to secure your goodies! Fresh loaves are baked and available for pickup at the Bread Shed in Bristow, VA, on Saturdays and Sundays. You can pick up your order at 12195 Aster Rd, Bristow, VA. Ample street parking is available, and you may park for up to 15 minutes while picking up your order.
Why can’t I just order on the day I want some bread? (Why do I have to pre-order?)
The process of making sourdough bread takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days. It begins with feeding the wild yeast cultivated in the sourdough starter with flour and water over several days so that it's active, bubbly, and ready to leaven the bread. Once the dough is mixed, it undergoes a long fermentation period followed by a longer refrigerated cold-proofing stage. The sourdough is ready to bake in my baking schedule on the morning of pickup.
How do pickups work?
On your pickup day, your sourdough bread(s) will be freshly bagged and ready for you at the Bread Shed, located at 12195 Aster Road, Bristow, VA. Each loaf will be bagged and labeled for easy pickup. Please note that orders must be picked up on the scheduled day and time; any unclaimed bread will be donated.
Do you deliver?
Sometimes! Send me a message to arrange delivery. A small fee may apply.
Do you ship?
I regret that mailing bread is not offered at this time.
Are your breads organic?
I prioritize using organic ingredients whenever possible to ensure the highest quality and sustainability. My classic loaves are 100% organic. I believe in the importance of knowing where your food comes from, which is why every product is clearly labeled with its organic ingredients. By choosing organic, I can offer you delicious, wholesome bread made with care and the best ingredients available, all while supporting responsible farming practices.
Do you offer gluten-free breads?
At this time, I do not offer gluten-free options. However, if you're gluten-sensitive, you might find that my sourdough is more digestible than regular bread.
Is sourdough more digestible than regular bread?
Yes! Authentic, traditionally made sourdough is easier to digest than mass-produced, highly processed bread. Many people avoid bread because it can cause bloating or discomfort. However, when bread is made the traditional way—allowing dough to ferment and healthy bacteria and yeast to grow—the result is a bread that’s much more digestible and comfortable for many.
Mass-produced bread is made quickly in industrial mixers that knead large quantities of dough in just minutes, resulting in a bland texture that can feel like raw dough in both your hand and stomach. Even whole wheat bread made through this process lacks the expected nutrients and can be harder to digest. The flour used in commercial bread is milled quickly between high-speed rollers, which makes it unstable, requiring additives like conditioners, emulsifiers, and fast-acting yeast or extra gluten to maintain texture.
In contrast, the flour I use in my sourdough is organic, grown, and milled in-house, ensuring it's pure and nutrient-rich. The fermentation process takes time and allows natural lactic acid bacteria to grow. These bacteria produce an enzyme called phytase, which breaks down phytic acid in the wheat bran that’s often responsible for bloating and digestive discomfort. This process makes the bread easier on the stomach and allows your body to absorb more nutrients.
Additionally, slow fermentation with natural yeasts and lactic acid bacteria results in bread that’s digested more slowly, causing a gentler effect on blood sugar levels. If you struggle with bloating or blood sugar regulation, try real sourdough for a more comfortable experience.
How do I store my bread?
Sourdough should never be stored in the refrigerator, as it will stale quickly, even if it contains ingredients like chocolate chips. Thanks to the fermentation process, it won’t spoil or mold as fast as regular bread and will stay fresh for days at room temperature. To maintain freshness, slice only as needed, leaving the crust intact. Once cut, store the bread in a cotton tea towel, bread box, or loosely in a plastic bag on the counter. If using a bag, open one end slightly to allow the bread to breathe.
Sourdough also freezes very well. Simply wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. To thaw, leave it at room temperature on a wire rack, and it will be as fresh and soft as the day it was frozen!
How often does your menu change?
The basic menu stays the same with the addition of specialty seasonal items.
What is a “Cottage Food Operation”?
In Virginia, the Home Baking Bill allows individuals to bake certain goods and confectionery items in their home kitchens and sell them directly to consumers and retailers without the need for a food establishment license or inspection from the Virginia Department of Agriculture. While pets may be allowed in the home, they are not permitted in food preparation areas (I do not have pets). Residential kitchens must be kept clean, sanitary, and well-maintained. Please note that these products are homemade and are not prepared in an inspected food establishment.
What is your refund policy?
Each custom sourdough bread order is crafted with care and attention to detail. Your satisfaction is my top priority. Just so you know, refunds or returns are not accepted if the customer changes their mind, cancels after the Tuesday before their Friday pickup, or doesn't pick up their order. Bread that is not picked up will not be stored and will be donated. Refunds or replacements may be considered if the bread is defective or if a canceled spot can be immediately filled.
In inclement weather, Carb Perfection will make every reasonable effort to deliver orders to local delivery locations. For pickup orders, if you cannot pick up your bread or arrange for someone else to do so, a refund will only be issued if Carb Perfection is notified at least 2 hours before the pickup closing time and if the bread can be resold.
In cases of snow, Carb Perfection will make exceptions to our bread storage policy. Orders will be frozen to ensure freshness and available for pickup as soon as possible.
How can I get in touch?
You can email me at erposey@gmail.com or call/text 240-412-7595.