Ingredients and Their Functions

In bread baking, as with all other culinary techniques, each ingredient has a particular, defined function in creating the desired finished product. However, because most artisanal breads are composed of just four basic ingredients—flour, yeast, salt, and water—ingredient quality is exceedingly important. And, since flour is the primary ingredient in all bread, its quality and type will determine the defining character of the baked loaf. In addition to these four basic ingredients, we will also take a look at sugar and some dairy products, such as butter and milk, that are, from time to time, used in creating enriched bread doughs.