Dough strengthener. Bread improver. Crumb softener. A host of regulators and oxidizers. The whole list falls into the category of dough conditioners. While the definition is pretty open-ended, the results are straight forward. No matter which ones (or combination of ones) you use, they should be accomplishing three main targets for you: Consistent outcome and quality: When you’re baking [...]
Health-conscious consumers define clean label products as products containing recognizable natural ingredients. These products are expected to be minimally processed and free of chemical ingredients such as emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, among others. Chemical emulsifiers are generally used in baking to provide dough strength, by improving dough gas retention and final loaf [...]
Since 2020, the baking industry has seen its fair share of changes, shake ups, and pivots due to the pandemic. Even now as the world makes its way to a new normal, the effects of the last year and half are still impacting bakers around the world. In this BAKED in Science episode, your [...]
Pizza crust production is a hot space to be in the food production and baking industry. Large scale pizza production usually includes manufacturing frozen pizza dough, frozen par-baked pizza shells, and frozen fully topped par-baked pizza shells. More and more the production of shells and topped pizza shells is done on automated lines. Here [...]
Enzymes, made up of proteins found in all living organisms, act as biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions. For the baking industry, they are amazing processing aids used in high-speed bakeries. While most dough conditioners are currently not accepted as clean label options, enzymes represent an alternative that is widely accepted by consumer groups. Given the right conditions of pH, time, [...]
There’s a lot of focus on solutions for emulsifier replacement. In fact, so much that you’re probably tired of hearing about it. But this is really a fascinating field, with some exciting benefits for baking. So to give you some fresh insight into the trend, I talk with two specialists from Europe about their [...]
Maltodextrins What is are Maltodextrins? Maltodextrins are products of partial hydrolysis of starch. They are used as: Bulking agents Carriers for flavors Sweetness reducers ‘Gram by gram’ sugar/fat replacers They are classified based on their dextrose equivalents (DE) which range from 3-20. The higher the DE, the more extensive is the hydrolysis [...]
Are low-FODMAP products the key to people eating bread again? If you aren’t familiar with the term, FODMAPs are fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that are hard to digest, triggering symptoms like bloating and discomfort. With over 15% of the Western world suffering from IBS, or wheat sensitivity, low-FODMAP foods tap into a huge market. There [...]
Lipoxygenase What is Lipoxygenase? Lipoxygenase, also known as linoleate: oxidoreductase, is an enzyme used in commercial food production. In bread making, it both bleaches flour and improves dough handling. Origin The enzyme is found in plant and animal tissues, but it is most abundant in beans, peas, and potatoes. [...]
Bakers now have an easier way into the growing market of low-FODMAP baking, with a natural way to lower fructan levels in bread products. Baked goods that promote gut well-being are becoming more and more popular. And while gluten-free foods may be getting most of the spotlight, low-FODMAP food is making a name for [...]
