Every recipe you encounter has water, whether as a direct ingredient or indirectly in other items. Breads in particular are primarily composed of flour and water. Thus it stands to reason that the quality of water will impact the quality of your baking. In this article, we will explore the role of water, common water quality problems and their impact, and adjustments that can be made to improve water while baking.
The Science of Water in Baking
Water performs several functions in the baking process. Water impacts the texture, crumb, and shelf-life of baked goods. It is responsible for all natural chemical reactions during baking, allows bakers to control batter and dough temperatures, and affects the overall consistency of baked goods. A dough with high water content is sticky and elastic, while a lower water content makes dough stiff and firm. After baking, more water creates a puffier, chewier texture with a generally more complex flavor, while less water has tighter, denser textures that can be bland without additional flavorings. This is because water activates gluten proteins in flour, creating binding structures. It also dissolves and disperses certain ingredients, like salt, sugar, and backing powder, and is the key to activating yeast.
Continue reading “The Impact of Water Quality on Baking Results”
