Understanding the Kinds of Bread

There are several types of bread, each also having its own special features and characteristics. Bread can be eaten in different ways. People around the world prefer certain types of bread, depending on their basic needs and personal preferences. Understanding the qualities of each will help you learn how to prepare them better and with less problems.

The Different Types

Bread is a popular food in many societies. Every Asian society prefers steamed bread or noodles or rice. Bread is usually made using wheat-flour dough cultured with yeast, risen and baked inside an oven. Owing to the high levels of gluten, common wheat is the most basic grain used to prepare bread, although bread is also created from flour of other existing wheat species like emmer, durum, spelt, maize, rye, oats and barley. Common wheat is usually made for creating white bread. Other types of wheat are capable of creating black bread of good quality. Spelt bread is widely consumed in European countries. Emmer bread is a staple food in the Middle East. Canadian bread is known for its healthy consistency and high protein content.

Knowing the Breads

White bread is created from flour that only has the center part of the grain, called the endosperm. Brown bread is created using 10% bran and endosperm. It can also mean white bread with coloring added like caramel to provide a brown color. This is also known as wheat bread. Wheat germ bread has provided wheat germ for more flavor. Wholemeal bread has the entire wheat grain or the bran and the endosperm. It is also known whole grain or whole wheat bread, especially in North America.

More Bread

Wholegrain bread is similar to wholemeal bread or to white bread with whole grains added to boost fiber content. Roti is described as whole wheat bread consumed in South Asia. Another Roti variant is called Naan. Granary bread is created from granary flour. It is created using brown flour or malted white flour, whole grains and wheat germ. Unleavened bread does not have yeast and does not rise. Rye bread is created with flour using rye grain of different levels. It has higher fiber content compared to other bread types.

Quick breads are chemically leavened breads, usually having both baking powder and baking soda, plus a balance of alkaline ingredients and acidic ingredients. Some of the examples include muffins, pancakes, waffles and Boston brown bread.

Among Cultures

There are so many variations of bread such as chapattis, pitas, biscuits, naan, bagels, tortillas, brioche, baguettes, puris, lavash and pretzels. Tortillas are staple food in Mexico. There is also the pan dulce and bolillo which are commonly eaten by Mexicans during breakfast. In the Philippines, peple eat pan de sal which is rounded bread. In Spain, bread is referred to as pan. In Peru, sweet bread is eaten together with hot chocolate and butter.

Scottish people eat plain bread which is taller and thinner. The French eat pan bread used for toast or for making stuffing. Italians have several breadmaking recipes and usually eat large loaves and breadrolls.

Comparing Sourdough and Sourbread

Originally, sourdough points to the cultures of various microbes located in the San Francisco area. Later on, the term refers to miners who brought sourdough starters everywhere they go. In recent periods, the growth of huge-scale commercial baking, plus the invention of different dough flavouring agents, led to sourdough referring to any type of sour bread, regardless of whether it is leavened with natural leaven starter or using commercial baker's yeast. The term may confuse a number of individuals, but knowing the details and understanding how it is made can better improve your technique.

The Differences

Sourdough starter is a culture of natural or wild yeast, together with lactobacilli in a medium of liquid and flour. It is propagated using ongoing feedings or refreshments with the sole purpose of leavening bread dough. It is ongoing and continues from one activation or bake to another. Sourdough bread has been leavened using a sourdough starter. It may or may not be a sour bread, based on the characteristics of the starter.

Sourdough is the term used to describe the natural leaven of natural or wild yeast and lactobacilli. It is the process of leavening bread using a natural leaven. The yeasted starter describes the starter that has the commercial bakers' yeast.

Being Sour

Sour bread, also known as faux sourdough, describes any kind of bread that has the sour flavor, because of a flavouring agent like souring salts, ingredients like vinegar or yogurt or process that does not include a natural leaven starter or a sourdough.

Sourdough bread does not have need to be sour bread. Sourdough bread can be very sour, although it is also normal for it not to be sour. It can be subtly flavored using delicious and rich wheaty flavors. With sourdough, the level of sourness will depend on several factors like the kind of grains, temperature, length of fermentation, specific yeast strains and lactobacilli and the amount of water.

About Hooch

As the starter is left in the refrigerator, the mixture will begin to separate, leading to a layer of liquid forming at the top. The liquid will have about 12 to 14 percent alcohol. Hooch is described as the alcoholic by-product of the process of fermentation. This is will feature a unique brownish color. The alcohol dissipates while baking. You can stir the liquid back into the starter before you use it. Hooch can build up in the starter, especially if you keep it in the refrigerator. You can pour it or stir it back inside. You can mix the hooch back in if the sourdough starter is on the dry area. Throw it away if the starter is very moist.

Natural Leavens

Starters created using commercial bakers' yeast are not natural leavens. These are actually yeasted starters that do not produce the same results in terms of shelf-life, flavor and texture like natural leaven starters. It is possible that a yeasted starter can be taken over using natural yeasts and changing it into a natural leaven.

Sourdough Starters and Bread Recipes

Sourdough used to be made using wild yeasts. The wild yeasts, particularly in San Francisco create a special flavor in breads. A number of sourdoughs are actually hundreds of years old. The starter or sponge is described as a water and flour mixture that has the yeast used to rise the bread. You can get dried versions of these too and activate these. You can make your own sourdough starters by acquiring local wild yeasts.

About Yeast Measurements

When using different kinds of yeasts in bread making recipes, you have to ensure that the conversion is accurate. Multiply the amount of instant yeast by 3 to get the corresponding amount of fresh yeast. Multiply the amount of active dry yeast by 2.5 to get the corresponding amount of fresh yeast. Multiply the amount of instant yeast by 1.25 to get the corresponding amount of active dry yeast.

More Info

The expiration date of yeast is printed on the package. Yeast can expire, and usually lasts longer than the date printed on the packet if it is kept inside the refrigerator. I can last longer if placed inside the freezer. Testing yeast can be done using sugar. To test, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the yeast when stirring it into the water to dissolve. If the yeast foams and bubbles within 10 minutes, the yeast is described as active and alive.

The Yeast Starter

You can easily make your own yeast start by taking equal parts of water and flour. Mix them together and leave everything in a warm location. Leave the mixture for 2 days. Afterwards, the starter should appear frothy. The flour and water should have developed by then. The water will also have a distinct smell at the top. This will be the starter of wild yeast.

Making Sourdough Starters

To make sourdough starters, take a cup of starter from a known bakery. Add water and flour to the starter to make more. The starter can go on for decades. You can make the sourdough starter using normally packaged yeast that you can purchase at a local dealer. You can also purchase packaged sourdough starter mix at the grocery. The internet actually now has several dealers and sellers of sourdough starter mixes. All you need to do is make the order, pay the seller through money transfer or credit card, and have the item shipped right to your doorstep in a few days.

Using the Starters

Make sure you save up some of the homemade starters so you can continue developing these for months and years to come. You will need the yeasts and sourdoughs depending on the type of bread you want to make. You will find that these also lead to certain features and characteristics, depending on how much you put in and the kind of ingredients that you add to the mix. Make sure you also place the starters in the right container, so that these do not expire and you retain the properties that lead to quality and great taste.

Making Cinnamon Bread Rolls

Cinnamon bread rolls are very easy and fun to make. You can use different tools and equipment to prepare the ingredients. You can also add the different flavors and spices to give it more uniqueness and creativity. You will find that there are several variations that you can develop over time. You can also practice making your own recipes of butter frosting and cinnamon fillings. Here are some more tips for the experts.

Working the Dough

Start with the long edge of the dough, then roll it up. Pinch the seams to seal. Rolling to log very tightly will cause the cinnamon rolls with the centers popping up higher than the rest as these bake. Using a knife, lightly mark the roll into 1 1/2 inch sections. Use a sharp knife or slide a 12-inch piece of heavy thread or dental floss below. Bring the ends of the floss up and criss-cross these over every mark. You can cut right through the roll by pulling the strings in opposite directions. Place the cut side up in a ready pan, then flatten these slightly. The unbaked cinnamon rolls must not touch each other before these rise and bake. Do not pack the cinnamon bread rolls together.

The Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls

You can now cover the cinnamon rolls in plastic wrap then refrigerate it overnight. You can also leave it frozen for a month. Before you bake, let the rolls thaw completely, then rise in a warm place if frozen. You may need to take out the unbaked rolls out of the freezer 10 to 12 hours before baking. Place the frozen cinnamon rolls on the counter overnight to prepare.

If you are using refrigerated rolls, you can let these bake once you take them out of the refrigerator or let them go down to room temperature. The rolls may slowly rise overnight. You do not need to let the rolls come to room temperature before you bake. If the rolls are not rising high enough after refrigeration, the yeast must be tested. Let these rise while being left on the counter, until you reach the ideal height.

Baking

After you make the bread, cover then let it rise in a warm place for about 45 to 60 minutes or until these have doubled in size. After the rolls rise, these should be touching each other as well as the sides of the pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F if you are using a regular oven or 325 degrees F if you are using a convection oven. Bake inside the convection oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until you notice a light golden brown color. Bake inside a regular oven for about 20 to 25 minutes until you see a light golden brown color.

Take these out of the oven and allow to cool slightly. You can spread butter frosting over the cinnamon rolls while these are still warm. Feel free to add condiments as you like. Cinnamon filling and butter frosting can also be added at room temperature.

How to Make White Bread

White bread is one of the most common bread types available. It is a favorite among children and adults because of its great taste, excellent texture and form that makes it very convenient to make sandwiches and the like. You can make your own homemade white bread in just a few simple and easy steps. Discover how much more you can save and how you can boost shelf-life and overall quality.

Starting Off

Place the smooth dough ball into a clean bowl. The bowl must be coated subtly with vegetable oil. Turn the dough one time so that you leave the top part oiled. Cover the bowl using plastic wrap then position in a warm place. Wait until the dough rises to about twice its original size. Observe again after 45 minutes. Put the dough back on the floured surface then punch it down. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces then allow to rest for 5 minutes.

If you want to make a pan loaf, you can use both your hands to roll each piece into a thick cylinder. This should be a bit longer compared to the bread pan. Use the heels of your hands, then press the cylinder, compressing it to the length of the pan. Place the loaves into bread pans with some oil. The sides of the loaves, particularly the short ends, should come in contact with the sides of the pan.

Next Steps

Place a kitchen towel over the bread pans, then let the dough rise in a warm place until it becomes twice as big as its first size. Wait for about 30 to 45 minutes. Place the loaves inside the oven at 400 degrees F. Bake these for about 30 minutes, and wait until these turn golden brown. The bottoms should have a hollow sound if thwacked with your hand. Take out the pans and let the loaves cool on the racks.

When Mixing the Dough

First, sprinkle the yeast over warm water in a measuring cup. Mix salt, 5 cups of flour and sugar together inside a big bowl. Add yeast mixture, milk and oil to the dry ingredients then stir until the dough moves away from the bowl sides. Begin by stirring everything using a wooden spoon. You will have to proceed to using your hands after a few minutes. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, then knead for 10 to 15 minutes. Add a lot of flour, as needed if you feel that the dough is still sticky. Form the dough into a big ball.

Final Advice

Yeast requires a warm environment of about 100 to 110 degrees F to begin growing. A very warm environment of about 115 degrees F will kill the yeast. If you think the water is warm enough, but not hot, this setup is ideal. Bread flour contains more gluten compared to all-purpose flour and will lead to a higher loaf. Gluten is a wheat protein that lets the dough rise well. You can substitute all-purpose flour using this. Do not forget the salt to avoid the loaf from rising very quickly then falling.

Bread Formulation and More

If you want to successfully make bread, you have to know more about its composition and chemistry. There are different ingredients that have relative effects to the process. Choosing the right ones will result to delicious bread with good form that keeps for several days or weeks. You have to learn the balance between the ingredients to get the most benefits possible.

About Bread Chemistry

The amount of flour and water is very important when making bread, since these change the crumb and texture of the bread. Professional bakers use a system of percentages called Bakers' Percentage when following recipes and making formulations. They measure all the ingredients according to weight instead of volume. Measuring by weight becomes more accurate and consistent, compared to volume measuring. Dry ingredients are also easier to measure when weighed.

Flour always has 100% and all other ingredients get a percentage of that amount according to weight. The common table bread in America uses about 50% water, leading to light and finely textured bread. A lot of artisan bread formulas also have 60% to 75% water. In yeast bread types, high water percentages lead to CO2 bubbles, plus a coarser bread crumb. One pound of flour will result to a regular loaf bread or 2 french loaves.

Knowing Bread Flour

Flour is a product created from grain which has been ground into a powdery consistent form. Flour gives the primary structure to the final baked bread. Common available flours are created from barley, maize, rye and other grains. Wheat flour is the most commonly used for breads, with each of the grains giving protein and starch to the resulting product.

Wheat flour, aside from its starch, also has 3 water soluble protein groups, globulin, albumin, proteoses and 2 non-water soluble protein groups called gliadin and glutenin. When flour mixes with water, the water-soluble proteins dissolve, which trigger gliadin and glutenin to create the structure of the remaining dough. Glutenin creates strands of long thin and chain-like molecules when kneaded, while gliadin creates bridges between glutenin strands. The networks of strands create by the 2 proteins are called gluten. Gluten boosts the quality of the dough.

About Bread Liquids

Water or any other liquid can be used to create the flour and turn it into dough or a paste. The volume of liquid needed will change between recipes, although a ratio of 1 cup of liquid to 3 flour cups is basic for yeast breads. Recipes using steam as a main leavening procedure can have liquid content in excess of 1 part liquid to 1 part flour according to volume. Aside from water, other liquids can be used such as fruit juice, dairy products and orbeer. These can provide added fats, sweeteners and leavening components.

Bread Recipes

Bread recipes will differ, but it is important that you stick to the ratios provided. You will find that later on, you can change the amounts slightly to get the right consistency, flavor and texture that you prefer. Some countries have varying components to provide more uniqueness and creativity to the mix.

The Bread Leavening Process

Leavening is a very important part of bread making so that you can get bread that is both chewy and tasty. You should understand how it works, since breads among different cultures generally use the same technique. Some people also serve unleavened bread, especially in the Middle East. You will appreciate yeast more as you go through the steps. Here are some tips on how to begin.

On Bread Leavening

Leavening is the process of putting gas to dough during or before you bake to create lighter and more chewable bread. Most of the bread eaten in the West is leavened, although there are also unleavened breads that have symbolic use in Judaism and Christian churches. The bread chemical leavening is a basic technique that incorporates gas-producing chemicals.

There are a couple of common methods. The first method involves the use of baking powder or a self-rising flour the also includes baking powder. The second method involves adding an acidic ingredient like baking soda and buttermilk. The reaction of the soda and the acid leads to gas. Chemically leavened breads are referred to as soda breads and quick breads. The technique is usually done to make sweet breads, muffins and banana bread.

On Yeast and Leavening

Several breads are leavened using yeast, a kind of fungus having only a single cell. The yeast used to leaven bread is called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is the same species used to brew alcoholic beverages. The yeast will ferment carbohydrates in the flour and any sugar, thereby leading to carbon dioxide. A lot of bakers in America leaven the dough using commercially made baker's yeast. Baker's yeast provides you the benefit of creating quick, uniform and reliable results, since it comes from pure culture.

More on Yeast

The baker's yeast and sourdough method of baking bread typically follow a similar pattern. Water is mixed with salt, flour and the leavening agent. Other additions like fats, spices, seeds, herbs and fruits are not needed to bake bread, but are also used often. The mixed dough is allowed to rise 1 or more times so bakers will punch down the dough and allow it to rise again and again. The loaves are formed and the bread is ultimately baked inside the oven.

Several breads are created from straight dough, so all ingredients are combined in a single step. The dough is baked after the rising period. Dough can also be made using the starter method, when some of the water, flour and leavening are mixed 1 day or so before baking. These are allowed to ferment for 1 night. During baking, all other ingredients are added and the rest of the process is similar to straight dough. A more flavourful bread with better texture is made.

Steam Leavening

Rapidly expanding steam created while baking can leaven the bread. The method is both basic but unpredictable. The popover is the most common steam-leavened bread. Steam-leavening can be unexpected since steam cannot be created until the bread is baked. Regardless of the agents, steam leavening can be done. Agents include sourdough, egg snow, soda powder and yeast.