Bread-Making 101 (Everything Amazing About Bread)

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Are you a lover of bread? Wouldn’t you love to know more about your favorite pastry? Don’t you want to know new and creative ways you can enjoy bread? Welcome to bread-making101 (everything good about bread).

Bread is considered to be a dietary staple in most countries in Africa If not one of the most popular pastries in Africa.

Don’t you want to know more about this sweet pastry? That is why you are here, this article is going to give you five fun facts about bread. So get ready to be enlightened.

Think of this article as a gateway to knowing the awesome importance of bread in your everyday life, the health benefits, and the various ways it contributes to your physical wellbeing and also your general wellbeing.

Let us travel back in time (History of Bread)

Did you know that, in the ancient days, bread was considered to be one of the most important food after water and health?

Bread is one of the main foods in America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. With the numerous flavor, nutrients, and varieties of bread, it is still one of the most popular daily diets in these parts of the world.

Many years ago, about 10.000BC bread was known as “the essence of life.” The bread was very popular in Ancient Greece, where, there was an ancient ritual bread called “psadista”.

Psadista would be prepared using oil, flour, and wine, which would then later be served to the gods.

Different types of bread were produced, most were produced only on festive periods because the bread was considered to be expensive, hence should only be served on special occasions.

Bread and Africa

What is a world without creativity? What is Africa without delicious dishes and bread? Africa is a continent known for its creativity with almost everything that can be found around it, music, fashion, art, and also food.

Knowing Africa as a continent and its people, creativity with food should not be a surprise, because there are hundreds of dishes out there for you to read about, enjoy and play with; You don’t believe? Check out some of the articles here at the African food network and see for yourself the different types of food that can be found across several continents in Africa. For a head start, you can check out this article here on amazing dishes found in West Africa.

But this is all about bread and bread-making, Africans have several amazing and tasty ways of enjoying this simple pastry, this has also allowed them to have amazing ways of being creative with their bread-making techniques. You have been blessed today because you are going to share in this amazing bread-making experience. Is this not great?

Bread-Making 101

Bread is a very basic, important, and popular type of food, and also a good source of nutrients for humans, so it is only right you try to find new ways of maintaining this dish or new ways of being creative with bread, and also learning some interesting facts about bread-making.

Creativity with food is not just limited to local dishes, you can also be creative with a portion of simple food like bread. If you are a lover of bread, this bit is for you.

What are the bread-making processes?

When it comes to bread-making, there are a few processes that are required and we are going to be taking a look at the steps required for the bread-making process.

The first step of the bread-making process is;

• Weighing and mixing

This process involves the weighing and mixing of the ingredients used in the bread-making process.

• Kneading

The kneading process is done after the weighing and mixing process, the dough is then kneaded.

The kneading process allows the gluten network to be formed, as well as air bubbles, which can also be referred to as carbon dioxide.

The carbon dioxide is formed as a result of the fermentation process, it also occurs due to the absorption of moisture by the ingredients, allowing the dough to become elastic.

When the kneading process continues, the dough becomes tough and less elastic. Be sure not to knead the dough for dough long, the dough could fall apart and become sticky.

• Proofing

This aspect of the bread-making process involves the leavening of the dough in the machine, this is usually done at a steady temperature and left for about 30-50 minutes.

Why is the Proofing done?

This process of bread-making is conducted to allow the yeast cells to multiply at a constant temperature and also encourages the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide.

This process also allows the dough to increase in size.

• Rising/folding

At this stage of the bread-making process, the dough is divided into smaller pieces, then folded using a folding machine.

• Shaping

This bread-making process involves the shaping of the dough to the desired shape.

• Final proof

This bread-making process is usually conducted in the baking pan, and it usually takes about 60minutes.

• Baking

After all the bread-making processes have been conducted, then the dough is ready to be baked.

What Are The Ingredients Used In Bread-making?

The main ingredient for bread making is wheat flour. Flour is also the main ingredient for any pastry at all, like;

• Doughnuts
• Croissants
• Meat pies
• Egg rolls
• Pizza
• Cakes

There are still so many other pastries, but you already have an idea of the uses of flour. Bread is not an exception from the endless list of uses of flour.

What are the ingredients needed to get you started on your bread-making journey?

Behind every great bread-making recipe, there are great ingredients behind it, now behind every delicious bread you have ever had, there are even greater ingredients used to prepare it.

What is a dish without ingredients? What is bread without the ingredients? Before you get too deep into the world of bread and bread-making, you would need to know the ingredients that are behind the preparation of bread, not just knowing the ingredients, but also their functions.

There are a few basic ingredients needed to get you started on your bread-making journey, but it is one thing to know the ingredients and it is another to know what the ingredients are used for, but not to worry, the African food network is here to get you informed and ready to cook.

There are a few ingredients needed to get you started on your bread-making journey, and here are a few of the ingredients used for baking bread;

• White sugar
• Yeast
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Flour (All-purpose flour or bread flour)
• Did you know there are different types of flour?

There are different types of flour used for baking so many pastries, but you need to know what these flours are, and what they are used for, so here are a few.

What Are The Different Types Of Flour And Their Uses?

• Self-rising flour

This flour has added baking soda and salt, due to the leavening action of baking soda in the flour, it can cause the bread to diminish if it is stored for too long. Also why this kind of flour is not used for yeast bread.

• Bread flour

This is refined flour that was made from a small amount of barley flour and hard wheat. This bread flour is mostly used for baking bread, and also has a high gluten content.

• Cake or pastry flour

This is a refined flour with a fine texture, made from soft wheat, it is used for making cakes and pastries, and is also high in starch.

• Semolina flour

This flour is considered to be generally coarsely milled, and used for couscous, gnocchi, and puddings. This flour is also high in gluten.

• White whole-wheat flour

White whole-wheat flour is made from hulled white spring wheat. Instead of regular whole-wheat flour, white whole-wheat flour is used to bake simple pastries with a mild taste and light color.

• All-purpose flour
• Wheat flour
• Almond/meal flour
• Amaranth flour
• Buckwheat flour
• Corn flour
• Flaxseed flour or meal
• Peanut flour
• Oat flour
• Potato four
• Rice flour, brown
• Rye flour
• Soy flour
• Spelt flour
• Cassava flour
• Fufu flour
• Dal flour
• Kamut flour
• Teff flour
• Mille flour
• Chapati flour
• Chickpea flour
• Cassava flour

Learning is so fun and exciting, now that you know the ingredients used for a typical bread-making procedure, let’s get baking.

But wait! The excitement and learning do not end there; We always say “What is a great food without its great health benefits?” Bread is not excluded from the great food that also possesses great health benefits.

You must know the nutrients you would be receiving from every food you eat, so you would not only enjoy the food but also nourish your body.

Not to worry, we will always keep you informed on the health benefits of some of these dishes, but for not, these are a few ways bread can affect your mind, body, and health.

What Are The health Benefits Of Bread?

You cannot keep enjoying bread and learning about bread-making without being aware of the effects it has on your health, positively and negatively. That is why the African food network is here for you.

This section of the article is going to show you some of the health benefits of bread, that everyone should know.

• Bread is known to be a good source of complex carbohydrates.
• Bread is also good for the balancing of blood glucose levels.
• Some types of bread are known to contain low-fat vegetable protein.
• Bread contains vitamin B which essentially contributes to cell replacement and protein metabolism.
• According to Healthline, bread is a great source of vitamin E which is also a good antioxidant.
• Contains some trace elements
• Bread provides the body with the adequate energy that it needs.
• Great source of iron which is important for cell oxygenation and growth.
• A good source of potassium is good for a balanced function of the body.
• The presence of vitamin E in bread is known to be an active antioxidant.
• Great source of calcium which helps in bone density.
• Bread is also known to be rich in selenium which is also a good antioxidant.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Bread?

There is this saying about everything that has an advantage also has some disadvantages, bread is not exempted from these disadvantages.

As helpful as you think bread might be, there are also some negative effects it has on the health, and you are going to get familiar with a few of them.

This is a list of disadvantages of bread on your health;

• Bread is known to be a major cause of obesity. This often occurs when bread is consumed in large quantities, or taken without moderation.
• Obesity is also known to be associated with diabetes mellitus, according to healthline.com
• Bread is also known to have a high glycemic index, which leads to an increase in insulin secretion and sugar. This then often leads to obesity.
• Ideally, the appropriate consumption of bread for a completely balanced diet should be about 2 slices of whole wheat bread. Appropriate intake of this should leave you healthy and rich in nutrients.
• This reason alone should give you some knowledge on the reasons why you just have to enjoy your food in moderation.
• The advantages of bread are good and enough reasons why you should add bread o your daily meal, but the disadvantages are also another reason why you should learn to enjoy your bread in moderation.
• What was that saying about, too much of everything not being good? You should know how it goes.

What Are The Different Types Of Bread In Africa?

There are different types of bread across the world, but we are here for Africa, and what other kind of bread would taste as good as bread coming from Africa?

Bread is very commonly eaten, almost every day in an African house, but did you know there are different types of bread in Africa? It is okay if you didn’t know that, that is why we are here for you.

Instead of sticking to boring and plain bread, spice things up a little bit and be creative with your food, bread should not be left out of this world of creativity, all thanks to Africa and its creativity, Bread is here to tell you that you can enjoy it in many different ways.

KRACHEL

 Krachel is also known as bread rolls and is considered to be a traditional Moroccan bread, that is prepared with yeasted, brioche-like dough, which is also nicely enriched with aniseed.

To give this bread a rich and amazing taste, orange blossom water is used to season the bread and also sesame seeds are used to bake this bread.

This bread is very rich and tastes even better after egg wash is used to brush the dough before baking, and to give Krachel its finishing touches, the top of the bread is then sprinkled with pearl sugar or sesame seeds.

BAZIN

Bazin is an unleavened bread that is very popular in Libya, it can also be referred to as a dough-based dish.

This Libyan bread is usually made by boiling salt and barley flour, then beating the batter with “Margraf”. (Margraf is a stick usually used to beat the batter for Bazin).

The beating of the batter is done until it develops into a dough, after which the dough is then steamed or baked.

This bread is known for its hard texture, which is often achieved by the addition of a large quantity of salt to the mix.

INJERA

This is a traditional Ethiopian flatbread, that is made from teff (Teff is the smallest grain in the world and is also known as the super grain, as a result of its great health benefits).

In Ethiopia, this bread is known to represent some goodwill, Ethiopians usually greet each other with the greeting, “Did you have some Injera today?” a positive answer usually signifies a good day or good luck.

Do you want some good luck on your day? Well, get yourself some Injera today.

MSEMEN

This is a traditional Moroccan flatbread that is made with a mix of different ingredients like;

• Clarified butter
• Warm water
• Yeast
• Oil
• Salt
• Sugar
• Semolina

These are the basic ingredients needed for the preparation of Msemen. After the dough for Msemen is prepared, the dough is then kneaded until it becomes smooth. After the kneading and smoothening of the dough, the pieces are then made flat and molded to the shape of a square.

KITCHA

This is unleavened bread, also known as a flatbread, which can be found in Ethiopia.

The dough for Kitcha is baked the traditional way, that is baking in a pan on both sides until it changes to a golden-brown color on the outside.

These are a few ingredients you would need for the preparation of Kitcha;

• Water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Wheat flour

HARSHA

This is a Moroccan bread that is made from a combination of a few ingredients like;

• Butter
• Milk
• Semolina
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Sugar

Harsha is a little bit different from most types of bread, and here is why; Unlike other loaves of bread that are usually baked in the oven, Harsha is usually fried traditionally, in a frying pan, the frying of the dough is done until it has a crumbly texture and generally soft.

This bread is usually enjoyed by Moroccans as breakfast, a snack, or even lunch, and to get the most out of this bread, it is then enjoyed with a few other sides, to their taste, like;

• Honey
• Butter
• Cheese
• Milk

You too can enjoy Harsha with whatever you think would give you the best experience.

LAHOH

This bread would be described as a spongy flatbread, that is very popular in a few countries in Africa like; Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia, and many others.

Lahoh is known to have a lot of holes on the surface of the bread and a circular shape, you might as well call it pancake bread.

Lahoh is similar to the bread Injera in their physical attributes, and some other ingredients, the difference might just be the type of flour used for the preparation, Injera is made with teff flour, and Lahoh is made using plain flour.

KISRA

Kisra is a flatbread, considered to be a traditional bread found in South Sudan, usually made with Sorghum (Millet) flour.

This bread is usually enjoyed with soup, stew, or any other food. This bread is eaten by ripping it up into smaller pieces and then placed beside your preferred soup, porridge or stew.

Kisra is commonly enjoyed with a vegetable and meat stew known as “mullah”.

ROOSTERKOEK

Roosterkoek which means grill cake is a South African bread that is a bit different from other types of bread because it is usually based on a grid over coals.

These are a few ingredients needed for the preparation of this bread;

• Yeast
• Water
• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Oil

Before the dough is baked, it is brushed with butter, then grilled till it turns golden brown.

KHOBZ

This is a flat, round loaf, that is found in Morocco. The flat loaf is baked in an oven until it gets crispy.

Khobz is usually made with different types of flour like;

• Barley
• Semolina
• Bran
• Wheat
• For some extra flavor and generally amazing taste, some other ingredients are added to the mix like;
• Nigella
• Cumin
• Anise

These ingredients are added to give the bread an enhanced and great flavor.

What you can enjoy bread with?

There are so many ways of enjoying bread, you can even make up new ones, whatever you think would taste wonderful, then you should go for it.

As for the common means of enjoying your bread, we are going to help you with some ideas for you to try, be sure to try these because not only would you be adding great value to your body, but you would also be of giving yourself a very big smile on your face.

These are a few other things you can use to get some extra flavor out of your bread;

• Butter
• Milk
• Honey
• Peanut butter
• Groundnuts
• Banana
• Fruits
• Stew
• Soup
• Tea
• Beans
• Vegetable sauce
• Plantain
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Sausages

Let this list give you some sort of idea on how you can enjoy bread, you can also enjoy anything of your choice, feel free to make any of these few ideas on this list your own.

HOW DO YOU LOVE YOUR BREAD?

How do you enjoy your bread? What are the different styles of eating bread that you must have tried that you were unable to get enough of? Let us know about yours, while you try a few of ours.

Bread is a very popular pastry and also a very healthy one, if you have not had bread before, you should and if you have, you should also try to experience new types of bread and how they taste. What is the point of trying bread if you are not going to go all the way with it?

Remember your health is also very important, so it is advisable you enjoy your bread in moderation, too much of everything is not ideal for your amazing healthy life.

Enjoy a few slices of bread, drink water, wear a huge smile on your face, and have a nice day.