diff --git a/book/basics/how-sourdough-works.tex b/book/basics/how-sourdough-works.tex index ca9a741b..8cf4fc96 100644 --- a/book/basics/how-sourdough-works.tex +++ b/book/basics/how-sourdough-works.tex @@ -177,13 +177,13 @@ \subsection{Improving enzymatic activity} At the time, I~utilized an extended autolyse, which is just a fancy word for mixing flour and water in advance and then letting the mixture sit. Most -recipes call for it as the process gives the dough an enzymatic head start, and -in general it's a great idea. However, as an equally effective alternative, -you could simply reduce the amount of leavening agent used --- in the case of -sourdough, this would be your starter. This would allow the same biochemical -reactions to occur at roughly the same rate without requiring you to mix your -dough several times. My whole-wheat game improved dramatically after I~stopped -autolysing my doughs. +recipes call for it as the process gives the dough an enzymatic head start, +and in general it's a great idea. However, as an equally effective +alternative, you could simply reduce the amount of leavening agent used---in +the case of sourdough, this would be your starter. This would allow the same +biochemical reactions to occur at roughly the same rate without requiring you +to mix your dough several times. My whole-wheat game improved dramatically +after I~stopped autolysing my doughs. Now that I've had time to think about it, the result I~observed makes sense. In nature, the outer parts of the seed come into contact with water first, and @@ -214,14 +214,13 @@ \section{Yeast} Yeasts are single-celled microorganisms belonging to the fungi kingdom. They can reproduce through either budding or by building spores. The spores are -incredibly tiny and resistant to external factors. Scientists have found undamaged -spores that are hundreds of million years old. There are a wide variety of -species --- so far, about \num{1500} -have been identified. Unlike other members of the fungi kingdom such as mold, -yeasts do not ordinarily create a mycelium -network~\cite{molecular+mechanisms+yeast}.\footnote{For one interesting -exception, skip ahead to the end of this section on -page~\pageref{aggressive-yeast}.} +incredibly tiny and resistant to external factors. Scientists have found +undamaged spores that are hundreds of million years old. There are a wide +variety of species---so far, about \num{1500} have been identified. Unlike +other members of the fungi kingdom such as mold, yeasts do not ordinarily +create a mycelium network~\cite{molecular+mechanisms+yeast}.\footnote{For one + interesting exception, skip ahead to the end of this section on + page~\pageref{aggressive-yeast}.} \begin{figure}[!htb] \centering @@ -369,14 +368,15 @@ \section{Bacteria} versa. This makes sense, as nature generally does a superb job of composting and breaking down biological matter~\cite{lactobacillus+sanfrancisco}. -I~have yet to find a proper source that clearly describes the symbiosis between -yeast and bacteria, but my current understanding is that they both coexist and -sometimes benefit each other, but not always. Yeast, for example, tolerate the -acidic environment created by the surrounding bacteria and are thus protected -from other pathogens. Meanwhile, however, other research demonstrates that both -types of microorganisms produce compounds that prevent the other from -metabolizing food --- an interesting observation, by the way, as it could help to -identify additional antibiotics or fungicides~\cite{mold+lactic+acid+bacteria}. +I~have yet to find a proper source that clearly describes the symbiosis +between yeast and bacteria, but my current understanding is that they both +coexist and sometimes benefit each other, but not always. Yeast, for example, +tolerate the acidic environment created by the surrounding bacteria and are +thus protected from other pathogens. Meanwhile, however, other research +demonstrates that both types of microorganisms produce compounds that prevent +the other from metabolizing food---an interesting observation, by the way, as +it could help to identify additional antibiotics or +fungicides~\cite{mold+lactic+acid+bacteria}. In the past, I've tried cultivating mushrooms and observed the mycelium attempting to defend itself against the surrounding bacteria; both types of diff --git a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex index c39a3cf6..d0a6a54e 100644 --- a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex +++ b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex @@ -210,15 +210,13 @@ \section{The process of making a starter} might already have increased in size a little bit. Whatever you see and notice is a sign of the first battle. -Some microbes -have already been outperformed. Others have won the first battle. -After around 24~hours most of the starch has been broken down -and your microbes are hungry for additional sugars. With a spoon -take around \qty{10}{\gram} from the previous day's mixture and place -it in a new container. Again --- you could also simply eye ball -all the quantities. It does not matter that much. Mix the \qty{10}{\gram} -from the previous day with another \qty{50}{\gram} of flour -and \qty{50}{\gram} of water. +Some microbes have already been outperformed. Others have won the first +battle. After around \qty{24}{hours} most of the starch has been broken down +and your microbes are hungry for additional sugars. With a spoon take around +\qty{10}{\gram} from the previous day's mixture and place it in a new +container. Again---you could also simply eye ball all the quantities. It does +not matter that much. Mix the \qty{10}{\gram} from the previous day with +another \qty{50}{\gram} of flour and \qty{50}{\gram} of water. Note the ratio of 1:5. I~very often use 1~part of old culture with 5~parts of flour and 5~parts of water. diff --git a/book/troubleshooting/misc.tex b/book/troubleshooting/misc.tex index 15a3445f..e13e71c5 100644 --- a/book/troubleshooting/misc.tex +++ b/book/troubleshooting/misc.tex @@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ \subsection{Baking in the tropics} follow my pH value; it's very individual. Keep measuring with different doughs to find out a value that works for you. -\subsection{My flour has low gluten content --- what should I~do?} +\subsection{My flour has low gluten content---what should I~do?} You can always mix in a little bit of vital wheat gluten. Vital wheat gluten is concentrated extracted gluten from wheat flour. diff --git a/book/wheat-sourdough/wheat-sourdough.tex b/book/wheat-sourdough/wheat-sourdough.tex index 3fc35f70..f4f1054c 100644 --- a/book/wheat-sourdough/wheat-sourdough.tex +++ b/book/wheat-sourdough/wheat-sourdough.tex @@ -308,16 +308,16 @@ \section{Hydration} Slowing the fermentation process is easy. Use less sourdough starter or ferment in a cooler environment. -There are two reasons for the slow fermentation advantages. -As explained earlier, both the protease enzyme and bacteria break down your -gluten network. So as fermentation progresses, your dough will automatically -become more extensible. This is because the rubber layers of your car tire -are slowly converted and eaten. Ultimately your car tire turns into a balloon -that can very easily be inflated. When waiting too long, the -balloon will burst. You will have no gluten left anymore, and your dough -becomes very sticky. Finding the sweet spot of enough rubber eating and not -too much is what the perfect wheat sourdough bread is about. But don't worry --- after reading -this chapter you will have the right tools at your disposal. +There are two reasons for the slow fermentation advantages. As explained +earlier, both the protease enzyme and bacteria break down your gluten network. +So as fermentation progresses, your dough will automatically become more +extensible. This is because the rubber layers of your car tire are slowly +converted and eaten. Ultimately your car tire turns into a balloon that can +very easily be inflated. When waiting too long, the balloon will burst. You +will have no gluten left anymore, and your dough becomes very sticky. Finding +the sweet spot of enough rubber eating and not too much is what the perfect +wheat sourdough bread is about. But don't worry---after reading this chapter +you will have the right tools at your disposal. The advantages of slow fermentation can be nicely observed when experimenting with a fast-fermenting yeast dough (\qty{1}{\percent} dry yeast based on flour). The