Sourdough Tin Bread
Disclaimer: I am a new forum member and beginner sourdough baker. I have been experimenting for a bit over a year and am able to produce satisfactory results although not approaching some of the beautiful loaves I've seen posted here, even when the baker was asking for help. :)
This is a loaf I baked off this morning. Mostly WBF and overnight-proofed in the tin in my 37°F refrigerator (about 10 hours followed by 2 hours at room temperature).
I misted the loaf before adding sesame seeds at the start of the cold proofing and misted again just before baking. I used a small granite-ware roaster with lid for final proofing and baking. Baked 25 minutes covered, 25 minutes uncovered at 450°F. Finished loaf about 1150 grams after baking.
The loaf turned out good if not spectacular and has great flavor but I've never seen a crust like this before. My first time baking with seeded crust. Looks like caramel apple. A chemical reaction? Reminds me of the Andromeda Strain...
The whole loaf:
I'm just making a crazy wild guess, but sesame seeds (naturally) contain quite a bit of sesame oil - maybe some of it came out and formed a sort of varnish.
I can't really from the blurry photo, but to me, it's reminiscent of a sugar glaze (like you said—caramel apple). Maybe your spray had some sugar in the water?
condensation and/or sprayed water, on the inside lid dripping on the loaf for a short time. Since it isn't all over the crust and just in the middle most likely water got on the loaf, made some gel while there and steaming it gave it a shine. Try misting the loaf much earlier before baking, you might get more of it. :). Watch out for dripping mist bottles!
I will try to duplicate the experiment in a few days.
One of my minor frustrations in life is not being able to bake bread as often as I like. My wife and I can't consume it fast enough and the neighbors are starting to pull down the window shades if the see us coming over with a sack in hand.
I have been reading the archives and enjoying the wealth of knowledge contained there. Sic Semper Panem!