Michael Kalanty

Photo Gallery #18 Couche

Linen Proofing Cloth

Appears in
How to Bake Sourdough Bread: Fermentation, Starters & Recipes
How to Bake Sourdough Bread

By Michael Kalanty

Published 2025

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  1. Dust your bench with Rice Flour. Place breads seam facing down on the floured bench while you prepare the Couche.

  2. Lay the Couche over the back of an inverted sheet tray or bread proofing board. Dust the Couche with rice flour. Use a flat hand to gently rub flour into the cloth.

  3. Seam facing up now, place breads a few inches apart on the Couche. Keep them far enough from the side edges of the Couche so there’s enough material to cover them while proofing.

  4. Form a pleat an inch higher than the breads to allow for expansion and snugly fit breads on each side. Align the thick part of one bread with the tapered ends of the others.

  5. Fold extra material so it lays flat on top of the breads. Wedge a bench scraper under the side of the Couche to keep things snug. Proof loaves on the floor when using Couche.