Proofing & Scoring chapter (#42)
* Intro for proofing chapter * Add proofing flow chart * Cold proofing section * Scoring chapter * Add flowchart to baking section * Remove no longer needed files * Add more pictures * Mark complete * Change cover image
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.gitignore
vendored
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*.run.xml
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*.run.xml
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book/book.out
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book/book.out
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.vscode/
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.vscode/
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book/book.synctex*
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@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ is different. This makes making sourdough bread at home so hard.
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Say no more, this book will help you to master making bread in
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Say no more, this book will help you to master making bread in
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your environment.
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your environment.
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## Motivation
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## Motivation
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@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ That's why I decided to open source my knowledge hoping
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that it will reach more people all over the world without
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that it will reach more people all over the world without
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budget constrains.
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budget constrains.
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## Status
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## Status
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The book is a work in progress. This represents the current status:
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The book is a work in progress. This represents the current status:
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@@ -36,7 +38,7 @@ The book is a work in progress. This represents the current status:
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* ✅ Sourdough starter types
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* ✅ Sourdough starter types
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* ✅ Flour types
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* ✅ Flour types
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* ✅ Bread types
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* ✅ Bread types
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* ❌ Wheat sourdough
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* ✅ Wheat sourdough
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* ❌ Non wheat sourdough
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* ❌ Non wheat sourdough
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* ✅ Baking
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* ✅ Baking
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* ❌ Storing bread
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* ❌ Storing bread
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@@ -2,6 +2,35 @@ Baking refers to the part of the process where you are loading
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your dough into the oven. This is typically done after your
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your dough into the oven. This is typically done after your
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dough has gone through the bulk fermentation and proofing stage.
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dough has gone through the bulk fermentation and proofing stage.
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\begin{figure}[!htb]
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\begin{tikzpicture}[node distance = 3cm, auto]
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\node [block] (heat_oven) {\footnotesize Heat oven to 230°C (446°F) for 30 minutes};
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\node [block, right of=heat_oven, node distance=3cm] (score_dough) {\footnotesize Score your dough};
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\node [decision, right of=score_dough, node distance=4cm] (decide_steam) {\footnotesize Choose your steaming method};
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\node [block, below of=heat_oven, node distance=4cm] (inverted_tray_method) {\footnotesize Inverted tray method};
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\node [block, right of=inverted_tray_method, node distance=3cm] (dutch_oven) {\footnotesize Dutch oven};
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\node [block, right of=dutch_oven, node distance=3cm] (steam_injection) {\footnotesize Steam injection oven};
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\node [block, below of=inverted_tray_method, node distance=3cm] (bake_30) {\footnotesize Bake dough for 30 minutes with steam};
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\node [block, right of=bake_30, node distance=3cm] (remove_steam) {\footnotesize Remove source of steam};
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\node [block, right of=remove_steam, node distance=3cm] (build_crust) {\footnotesize Build the crust};
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\node [block, right of=build_crust, node distance=3cm] (finish_baking) {\footnotesize Stop baking 10-30 minutes later depending on crust preference};
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\path [line] (heat_oven) -- (score_dough);
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\path [line] (score_dough) -- (decide_steam);
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\path [line] (decide_steam) -- (inverted_tray_method);
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\path [line] (decide_steam) -- (dutch_oven);
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\path [line] (decide_steam) -- (steam_injection);
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\path [line] (steam_injection) -- (bake_30);
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\path [line] (inverted_tray_method) -- (bake_30);
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\path [line] (dutch_oven) -- (bake_30);
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\path [line] (bake_30) -- (remove_steam);
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\path [line] (remove_steam) -- (build_crust);
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\path [line] (build_crust) -- (finish_baking);
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\end{tikzpicture}
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\caption{A schematic visualization of the baking process using different sources of steam in a home oven.}
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\label{fig:baking-process}
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\end{figure}
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Some other breads like flat breads
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Some other breads like flat breads
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could also be baked on the stove. This chapter is focusing on the
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could also be baked on the stove. This chapter is focusing on the
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home oven though.
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home oven though.
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.3 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.3 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.4 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.0 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.0 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.0 MiB |
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Before Width: | Height: | Size: 1.2 MiB |
BIN
book/wheat-sourdough/artistic-scoring.jpg
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After Width: | Height: | Size: 298 KiB |
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book/wheat-sourdough/bread-scoring-angle.jpg
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After Width: | Height: | Size: 66 KiB |
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book/wheat-sourdough/dry-dough-surface.jpg
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After Width: | Height: | Size: 94 KiB |
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book/wheat-sourdough/shaping/step-13-finger-poke-test.jpg
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After Width: | Height: | Size: 652 KiB |
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book/wheat-sourdough/the-ear.jpg
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After Width: | Height: | Size: 306 KiB |
@@ -1504,9 +1504,270 @@ not notice that this improves the dough's strength. As far as I can
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tell this only improves the visual appearance of the bottom side
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tell this only improves the visual appearance of the bottom side
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of the final loaf.} If you did everything right then your
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of the final loaf.} If you did everything right then your
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dough should look somewhat similar to the dough shown in figure \ref{fig:shaping-prepare-proofing}.
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dough should look somewhat similar to the dough shown in figure \ref{fig:shaping-prepare-proofing}.
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As the last step of shaping place a kitchen towel over your banneton
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or bowl and begin proofing.
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\section{Proofing}
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\section{Proofing}
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This chapter is still pending and will be added soon.
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In bread baking, proofing refers to the final rise of dough before baking,
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after it has been shaped into a loaf. The chemical reactions and processes
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that occur during bulk fermentation and proofing are the same.
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By shaping your dough it has lost some of the air previously generated
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throughout the bulk fermentation. The goal of proofing is to inflate
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the dough again. A dough without proofing wouldn't offer the same texture
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as a properly proofed dough. The proofed dough features a very fluffy
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and soft crumb.
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There are two proofing techniques. One strategy is to proof the dough
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at room temperature whereas the other proofs the dough in the fridge.
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Fridge-proofing is also commonly known as retarding.
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Some bakers claim that cold proofing improves the final flavor of the bread.
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In all the loaves that I retarded I could not notice a difference
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in terms of flavor for cold-proofed doughs. The microorganisms work
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at a slower rate at colder temperatures. But I doubt that they alter
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their biochemical processes. More research is needed on the topic
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of retarding and flavor development.
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\begin{figure}[!htb]
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\begin{tikzpicture}[node distance = 3cm, auto]
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\node [decision] (init) {\footnotesize Room temperature proofing?};
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\node [decision, right of=init, node distance=9cm] (retard_bake_decision) {\footnotesize Bake in less than 10 hours from now?};
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\node [block, below of=init, node distance=4cm] (poke) {\footnotesize Poke the dough};
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\node [block, right of=poke, node distance=4cm] (wait_poke) {\footnotesize Wait 15 minutes};
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\node [decision, below of=poke, node distance=3cm] (dent_visible_decision) {\footnotesize Dent still visible after 1 minute?};
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\node [block, right of=dent_visible_decision, node distance=4cm] (bake) {\footnotesize Score and bake};
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\node [block, below of=retard_bake_decision, node distance=3cm] (wait_retard) {\footnotesize Wait 15 minutes};
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\node [block, below of=wait_retard, node distance=3cm] (retard) {\footnotesize Proof in fridge at 4°C (40°F)};
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\node [block, right of=wait_retard, node distance=3cm] (move_to_fridge) {\footnotesize Move dough directly to fridge};
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\path [line] (init) -- node{yes} (poke);
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\path [line] (init) -- node{no} (retard_bake_decision);
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\path [line] (poke) -- (dent_visible_decision);
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\path [line] (dent_visible_decision) -- node{yes} (bake);
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\path [line] (dent_visible_decision) -- node{no} (wait_poke);
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\path [line] (wait_poke) -- (poke);
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\path [line] (retard_bake_decision) -- node{yes} (wait_retard);
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\path [line] (retard_bake_decision) -- node{no} (move_to_fridge);
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\path [line] (wait_retard) -- (retard);
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\path [line] (move_to_fridge) -- (retard);
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\path [line] (retard) -- (bake);
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\end{tikzpicture}
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\caption{A schematic overview of the different steps of the sourdough proofing process. The proofing technique to choose
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depends on your availability and schedule.}
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\label{fig:proofing-process}
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\end{figure}
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To me, the sole purpose of cold proofing is its ability to allow you
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to better manage the timing of the whole process. Assuming you finished shaping
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your dough at 10 pm, chances are you wouldn't want to wait for another
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2 hours to proof the dough and then another 1 hour to bake it. In this case,
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you can move your dough directly to the fridge after shaping. Your
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dough will be proofing overnight in the fridge. Then it can be baked at any time
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the following day (there are a few exceptions, more on that a little bit later).
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This is especially handy for large-scale bakeries that use fridge-proofing
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extensively. Some of the doughs are proofed a day before and placed in the fridge.
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Early in the morning, they can be baked directly out of the fridge. Within 2
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hours they will be ready to sell the first bread to morning customers. If
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throughout the day more bread is needed simply take some proofed dough out
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of the fridge and bake it. The time frame in which you can bake retarded
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dough is big. It can be 6 hours later up to 24 hours later.
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Assuming you made an overnight dough and your dough is ready in the morning,
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the situation might be different. You potentially want to bake the dough directly
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for breakfast, or at lunchtime. In this case, you wouldn't want to proof the dough for
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another 6 hours in the fridge. Room temperature proofing is your technique
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of choice.
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To summarize, choose the technique that works for you depending on your
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schedule and availability.
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\subsection{Room temperature proofing}
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The easiest and most reliable way to proof your dough is to proof the dough at
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room temperature. It is my method of choice if my schedule allows it. This method
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works great if you make an overnight dough and then proof in the next
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morning.
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\begin{figure}[htb!]
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\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{step-13-finger-poke-test}
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\caption{The finger poke test is a very reliable method to check
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if your dough has been properly proofed. If the induced dent is still
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visible 1 minute later your dough can be baked.}
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\label{fig:shaping-finger-poke}
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\end{figure}
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The time it takes to proof your dough can be anything between 30 minutes and
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3 hours. Rather than relying on timing most bakers use the finger poke test.
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Flour your thumb and gently press around 0.5cm up to 1cm deep into the dough.
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Try this directly after shaping. You will notice that the created dent will
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recover quickly. It will be gone again after 1 minute.
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As you proceed with proofing your dough will fill up with more gas. At the
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same time, the dough will become more extensible. Once it starts to reach the
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right amount of fluffiness and extensibility the dent will disappear more slowly.
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Once the dough is for scoring and baking the dent should still be visible after
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1 minute of waiting.
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I recommend performing the finger poke test once every 15 minutes throughout
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the proofing stage. Realistically based on my experience proofing takes at least
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one hour and can sometimes take up to 3 hours. Even at warmer temperatures proofing
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has never been faster than an hour for me. As always please take my timings with
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a grain of salt and experiment on your own.
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Once I see that the dough is getting close to perfect proofing I proceed and
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preheat my oven. This way I don't overproof the dough. You would notice an
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over-proofed dough when the dough suddenly becomes very sticky. At the same
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time, the dough is likely to collapse during baking and will not spring back.
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Generally, it is better to end proofing earlier rather than too late.
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\subsection{Cold proofing (retarding)}
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The second proofing option is to place your dough inside the fridge for
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proofing. This option is great if you do not want to bake the dough
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within the next 3 hours.
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The dough will initially proof at the same rate as the room temperature dough.
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As the dough cools down the rate of fermentation slows. Ultimately at below
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4°C (40°F) the fermentation comes to a halt. \footnote{The actual temperature
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depends on the bacteria and yeast you cultivated in your sourdough
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starter.} The dough can rest in the fridge for up to 24 hours. In some
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experiments, the dough was still good even 48 hours later. Interestingly
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there is a limit to fridge proofing. I can only explain this with continuous
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fermentation activity at low temperatures.
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The hard part is to judge when the dough is finished proofing in your fridge.
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The previously mentioned finger poke test does not work on cold dough. Low
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temperatures change the dough's elasticity. The dent from the poke test
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will never recover.
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For this reason, finding the best fridge-proofing time is best done
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with an iterative approach. Begin with 8 hours on your first dough,
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10 hours on the second, 12 hours on the third, and so on up to 24 hours.
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As the temperature in your fridge is typically constant you have an
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environment in which you can rely on timings. Find the ideal proofing
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time that works for you.
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||||||
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One additional consideration is the dough's core temperature before
|
||||||
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placing it inside the fridge. The warmer your dough is initially
|
||||||
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the longer it takes for the dough to cool down. This is an additional
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variable to take into consideration when choosing the retarding time.
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In summer times when my kitchen is hot I choose a shorter fridge-proofing
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time compared to winter times when the dough is colder.
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|
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A reliable way to ensure consistent proofing is to opt for using a pH
|
||||||
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meter. By checking the amount of piled-up acidity you can ensure
|
||||||
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each of your doughs has the right amount of acidity. Opt for an iterative
|
||||||
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approach and check the pH for multiple proofing times. Find the pH
|
||||||
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the value that creates the best bread for you. Once you have identified
|
||||||
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your perfect pH level you can resort to that value on all following
|
||||||
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doughs. See table \ref{table:sample-ph-values} for some sample pH values
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||||||
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to follow.
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||||||
\section{Scoring}
|
\section{Scoring}
|
||||||
This chapter is still pending and will be added soon.
|
|
||||||
|
Once your dough is done proofing it's time to warm up your oven
|
||||||
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to around 230°C (446°F). The next step is then to proceed with
|
||||||
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scoring your dough.
|
||||||
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|
||||||
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Scoring is done for two reasons. There is functional and decorative
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||||||
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scoring. Functional scoring refers to making a small incision in the dough
|
||||||
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through which it rises while baking. If the dough wouldn't be scored
|
||||||
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it would likely crack open at the weakest spots where you sealed
|
||||||
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the dough after shaping. Decorative scoring can be used to apply
|
||||||
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artistic patterns to your dough and make it more appealing. When
|
||||||
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you want to apply artistic scoring it is best to rub your dough
|
||||||
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with additional rice flour before scoring. The white rice flour
|
||||||
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greatly boosts the contrast of the scoring incisions and thus
|
||||||
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makes the final pattern look more visually appealing.
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||||||
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|
||||||
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\begin{figure}[htb!]
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||||||
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\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{the-ear}
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||||||
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\caption{The ear is a characteristic that can be achieved on wheat sourdough
|
||||||
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when fermenting and scoring your dough with the perfect technique. It offers additional
|
||||||
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flavor and great texture when eating the bread.}
|
||||||
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\label{fig:the-ear}
|
||||||
|
\end{figure}
|
||||||
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|
||||||
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When using a banneton the dough is flipped over and
|
||||||
|
placed on an oven rack, tray, stone, steel, or dutch oven. The pros
|
||||||
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and cons of the different baking options are covered in the next chapter.
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||||||
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The dough's top side which was previously at the bottom of the
|
||||||
|
banneton should now be facing you.
|
||||||
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|
||||||
|
\begin{figure}[htb!]
|
||||||
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\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{artistic-scoring}
|
||||||
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\caption{A loaf by Nancy Anne featuring an artistic scoring pattern.
|
||||||
|
The high contrast was achieved by rubbing the
|
||||||
|
dough's surface with rice flour before baking. Her Instagram
|
||||||
|
account "simply.beautiful.sourdough" is specialized to showcase
|
||||||
|
beautiful artistic scoring patterns.}
|
||||||
|
\label{fig:artistic-scoring}
|
||||||
|
\end{figure}
|
||||||
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|
||||||
|
The scoring cut for done at a 45° angle relative to the dough's
|
||||||
|
surface slightly off the dough's center. With the 45° angle cut
|
||||||
|
the overlaying side will rise more in the oven than the other side.
|
||||||
|
This way you will achieve a so-called "ear" on the final bread.
|
||||||
|
The ear is a thin crisp edge that offers intriguing texture
|
||||||
|
when eating. The thin edge is typically a bit darker after baking
|
||||||
|
and thus offers additional flavor. In my opinion, the ear is turning
|
||||||
|
a good loaf into a great loaf.
|
||||||
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|
||||||
|
\begin{figure}[htb!]
|
||||||
|
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{bread-scoring-angle}
|
||||||
|
\caption{The 45° angle at which you score the dough is relative to the surface of the dough.
|
||||||
|
When scoring more towards the side you have to adjust the angle to get achieve the ear on your
|
||||||
|
bread.}
|
||||||
|
\label{fig:scoring-angle}
|
||||||
|
\end{figure}
|
||||||
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|
||||||
|
The actual incision is done with a very sharp knife or better a razor
|
||||||
|
blade. You can use the razor blade directly or attach it to a chopstick.
|
||||||
|
The razor blade offers better flexibility than the sharp knife.
|
||||||
|
Regardless the blade should be as sharp as possible. This way when cutting
|
||||||
|
the dough is not torn and instead features a clean non rugged incision.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
To simplify scoring your dough's surface must be dried out a little bit.
|
||||||
|
This way it is a lot easier to make the incision.
|
||||||
|
For this reason, it is crucial to rub your dough with a bit of flour
|
||||||
|
before placing it in the banneton. The dry flour will absorb some of the
|
||||||
|
moisture of the outer layers of your dough. This is especially important
|
||||||
|
when working with room temperature-proofed doughs. A cold-proofed dough
|
||||||
|
is a lot easier to score due to the dough's low viscosity. The room-temperature
|
||||||
|
dough is a lot harder to score. The scoring incision tears a lot
|
||||||
|
easier. With a rugged incision, the dough is not as likely to properly
|
||||||
|
rise in the oven. Chances are you will not achieve the previously mentioned
|
||||||
|
ear. For this reason, drying out the surface is especially important. Scoring
|
||||||
|
will become a lot easier.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
\begin{figure}[htb!]
|
||||||
|
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{dry-dough-surface}
|
||||||
|
\caption{By applying flour to your dough's surface after shaping the outer part
|
||||||
|
of the dough dries out a little bit. This makes scoring a lot easier as the incision
|
||||||
|
is less likely to tear.}
|
||||||
|
\label{fig:dried-out-dough-scoring}
|
||||||
|
\end{figure}
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Scoring requires a lot of practice. For this reason, I recommend
|
||||||
|
practicing making the incision after creating dough strength. The dough
|
||||||
|
is going to be very wet and sticky. You can use a sharp knife or razor
|
||||||
|
blade to practice the technique. Wait a few minutes and then round
|
||||||
|
up the dough again. You can practice this for as long as you like
|
||||||
|
until you are happy with your technique. After proofing, you only
|
||||||
|
have a single chance to practice scoring. It's either hit or miss.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
An additional trick that can help you to combine the benefits
|
||||||
|
of room temperature proofing and easy cold proofing scoring
|
||||||
|
is to place your dough in the freezer for 30 minutes before baking.
|
||||||
|
Once you notice your dough is almost done proofing move it to the
|
||||||
|
freezer. The freezer will dry out the surface even further and make
|
||||||
|
scoring easier.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Another interesting trick is to bake your dough for 30 seconds without steam.
|
||||||
|
The hot air will dry out the dough's surface even further and simplify
|
||||||
|
the scoring technique. Experiment with the timing to identify your personal
|
||||||
|
sweet spot.
|
||||||