Breadmaking

Breadmaking is the process by which bread is prepared from flour and other ingredients that vary according to the recipe, from lean doughs of flour, water, yeast and salt to enriched doughs with sugar, fat, milk and eggs. The classic stages are mixing and kneading to develop gluten, fermentation in which yeast produces gas and flavour compounds, dividing and shaping, proofing, and baking. In the oven, heat sets the crumb through starch gelatinization and protein coagulation while the surface browns into crust. Each stage must be controlled for time and temperature to achieve the desired volume, texture and flavour.