Innovative Solutions and Cost-Effective Strategies for Bakeries
In today’s dynamic baking industry, staying competitive and innovative is key. The role of technical resources in ingredient optimization and cost-effective strategies cannot be overstated. Amy Speich, an experienced Food Technologist from Select Custom Solutions (SCS), shed light on many ways bakers can enhance their product quality, streamline processes, and reduce costs through specialized ingredients and solutions in our recent BAKERview.
Nonfat Dry Milk (NFDM) and Milk Replacers
Non-fat dry milk is a crucial ingredient in baking, offering benefits like enhanced browning, due to its function in the Maillard reaction, crumb uniformity, and extended shelf life. However, the volatility in commodity markets necessitates alternatives. Select Custom Solution’s milk replacers are designed to substitute NFDM, providing similar functionality and cost stability. These replacers match the dairy flavor and contribute additional benefits such as improved moisture retention, fat absorption reduction in donuts, and enhanced texture and tenderness in baked goods.
Cost-Effective Egg Replacers
Eggs are fundamental in baking for their aeration, leavening, and emulsifying properties. However, fluctuating egg prices, driven by factors like avian flu and rising demand for cage-free eggs, pose a significant challenge. SCS’s Bakigen egg replacers offer a viable solution, ensuring cost stability and savings. Powdered and shelf-stable for up to two years, these replacers are versatile across various applications, from cakes to cheesecakes, and can significantly reduce reliance on volatile egg markets.
Enhancing Dough Performance with PZ44 and Ready Sponge
PZ44 is a game-changer for dough preparation, reducing mixing time by up to 30%. This not only saves time but also minimizes equipment wear and energy usage. PZ44 is particularly useful for emergency dough scenarios, allowing dough to be ready within 1.5 to 4 hours, a significant reduction from the typical 24 to 48-hour fermentation period.
Select Custom Solution’s Ready Sponge line of dough developers further enhances dough performance. These products reduce mixing and fermentation times, enhance dough strength, and improve texture and volume. The Ready Sponge line, including non-bromated options like Ready Sponge C and Ready Sponge P, caters to evolving consumer preferences and regulatory changes, such as California’s upcoming ban on potassium bromate.
Looking to improve your dough? Download the Dough Conditioners BAKERpaper!
Premixes and Blends for Streamlining Processes
Premixes and blends offer substantial advantages in high-output lines. By consolidating multiple ingredients into a single blend, bakers can save on storage space, reduce the number of SKUs, and eliminate minimum order quantity (MLQ) issues. This streamlining extends to logistics, reducing costs associated with shipping multiple ingredients.
Addressing Market Volatility and Custom Solutions
In an industry where ingredient prices can be unpredictable, the ability to adapt is crucial. Select Custom Solutions provides custom blends and tailored solutions to help bakers navigate market fluctuations. Their expertise in analytical troubleshooting ensures that any issues can be swiftly resolved, maintaining project timelines and product quality.
The Future of Baking: Sustainability and Innovation
The increasing demand for allergen-free and vegan products is reshaping the baking landscape. Egg and milk replacers play a pivotal role in meeting these demands, allowing bakers to remove allergens from their lines and cater to the growing vegan market.
Curious to learn more? Watch the BAKERview here:
The baking industry thrives on innovation and efficiency. Through specialized ingredients and comprehensive solutions, Select Custom Solutions empowers bakers to optimize their processes and enhance product quality while employing cost-effective strategies. Whether dealing with fluctuating commodity prices or evolving consumer preferences, they provide the tools and expertise needed to stay ahead in the competitive baking industry.
For more information on Innovative Solutions and Cost-Effeciency Strategies, sign up for our weekly newsletter and check out our Baking Pocket Guides for ongoing insights.
