Baguettes

Baguettes are the iconic long, slender French loaves with a crackling crust and open, airy crumb, the symbol of French baking worldwide. Made from a lean dough of flour, water, salt, and yeast, with no fat or sugar, their character comes from long fermentation that develops flavour and from fierce oven heat with steam that sets the crisp crust. In their traditional form they are protected by French bread law, which restricts ingredients and practices for breads sold as traditional baguettes. For bakers everywhere, the baguette remains the benchmark of artisan skill: simple ingredients, demanding technique, and a shelf life measured in hours at its best.