about the final internal temperature of bread.
A few years ago I learned to take the internal temperature with a probe to ensure it was done. CI agrees with this step, but takes it a bit further: Even if the interior reaches 210 degrees, the outside may still be under baked. They did a test with two loaves, pulling one out when the internal temp reached 210 and leaving the other in for the recommended recipe baking length. The first loaf was pale, with a soft crust and gummy interior. The longer baked crust was nicely browned, with a crisp crust and perfectly baked crumb.
Here's the key phrase that startled me: "The temperature of the longer-baked loaf never rose above 210 because the moisture it contains, even when fully baked, prevents it from going past the boiling point of water (212)."
I always thought the temperature of the interior dough would continue to rise. Silly me.
CI's takeaway: Internal temperature is less useful than appearance as a sign of a well-baked loaf.
I love science.
A few years ago I learned to take the internal temperature with a probe to ensure it was done. CI agrees with this step, but takes it a bit further: Even if the interior reaches 210 degrees, the outside may still be under baked. They did a test with two loaves, pulling one out when the internal temp reached 210 and leaving the other in for the recommended recipe baking length. The first loaf was pale, with a soft crust and gummy interior. The longer baked crust was nicely browned, with a crisp crust and perfectly baked crumb.
Here's the key phrase that startled me: "The temperature of the longer-baked loaf never rose above 210 because the moisture it contains, even when fully baked, prevents it from going past the boiling point of water (212)."
I always thought the temperature of the interior dough would continue to rise. Silly me.
CI's takeaway: Internal temperature is less useful than appearance as a sign of a well-baked loaf.
I love science.