Bread Ingredients - Bakeinfo - Baking Industry Research Trust (2024)

Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins which catalyse, or speed up, biological reactions. Several enzyme catalysed reactions occur during breadmaking. First, starch has to be broken down into sugar. The sugar then has to be broken down into simple sugars to allow yeast to react with these sugars during the process called fermentation (rising).

Starch
Starch belongs to a group of chemical compounds called carbohydrates. Pure dry starch is a white granular powder. Wheat flour contains 70-73% starch and most commonly anywhere between 8 -14.5% protein.

Yeast
Yeast belongs to the fungi family. It is a very small single cell micro-organism. Like all other fungi it doesn’t have the power to produce food by photosynthesis. Instead it ferments carbohydrates (sugars) to produce carbon dioxide and alcohol which gives bread it’s texture, colour and aroma.

Click the links below to read more about each of these ingredients.

Bread Ingredients - Bakeinfo - Baking Industry Research Trust (2024)

FAQs

What is the important ingredient in baking bread answer? ›

Wheat flour is the key ingredient in most breads. Flour quality is particularly important in breadmaking as the quality of the flour will have a significant impact on the finished product.

What are the scientific ingredients in bread? ›

Introduction. Bread is a baked product whose ingredients are flour, water, salt, and yeast. During bread making, biochemical and chemical-physical processes of changes occur, which affect various constituents.

What is the secret to making good bread? ›

Follow these tips for bread that comes out right every time.
  • Use the right yeast. ...
  • Store your yeast properly. ...
  • Treat salt with care. ...
  • Take your time. ...
  • Try different flours. ...
  • Measure carefully. ...
  • Consider vitamin C. ...
  • Practice makes perfect.

What ingredient makes the bread more tender and improves its keeping quality? ›

Shortening-Makes bread more tender and improves keeping quality 14. Salt-Improves flavor and controls growth rate of yeast.

Why put egg wash on bread? ›

The egg-liquid mixture is then brushed over baked goods—like bread or pastries—before going in the oven to help give them a strikingly golden color and an eye-catching gloss after baking. An egg wash can also help seal the edges of filled pastries or hand pies and help any sprinkled sugar adhere to the dough.

How do bakeries bake bread now? ›

Automated machines can now mix doughs, knead them, shape them, and bake them in a fraction of the time it would take to do it by hand. This has allowed bakeries to produce more bread in less time and with less labour, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.

What makes bread fluffy? ›

Carbon dioxide is responsible for all the bubbles that make holes in bread, making it lighter and fluffier. Because gas is created as a result of yeast growth, the more the yeast grows, the more gas in the dough and the more light and airy your bread loaf will be.

Can you add baking soda to yeast bread? ›

When you combine baking powder or baking soda with yeast, the sodium bicarbonate will fizzle out while the yeast is just getting started. It is possible to mix them, however. In my savory sourdough discard quick bread recipe, I use a combination of baking powder and sourdough starter (which has a lot of wild yeast).

What makes bread rise higher? ›

The gluten in the dough traps the carbon dioxide gas, preventing it from escaping. The only place for it to go is up, and so the bread rises. Carbon dioxide actually also helps gluten develop in bread. Unless you're gluten-intolerant, gluten is a great thing, folks.

What is the most important step in bread making? ›

Kneading Dough: Kneading bread dough is an important process to developing a gluten structure which strengthens the bread. It also creates a more even crumb for the final product and improves the flavor of the bread.

What ingredient makes bread rise? ›

Once reactivated, yeast begins feeding on the sugars in flour, and releases the carbon dioxide that makes bread rise (although at a much slower rate than baking powder or soda). Yeast also adds many of the distinctive flavors and aromas we associate with bread. For more on yeast, check out our fun yeast activity.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Duncan Muller

Last Updated:

Views: 6050

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duncan Muller

Birthday: 1997-01-13

Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

Phone: +8555305800947

Job: Construction Agent

Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.