This is a refreshed continuation of the long discussion we've had over the past 10 days or so about German Rye breads.

I was in Hamilton, Ont. last week and not only brought home some Dumpflmeier Klosterbrot (still the best tasting rye I know) but read as many labels as I could. Here is what I learned:

1. The amount of rye in the recipe is very small ... it is the third ingredient listed after white flour, and natural rye starter.

2. the loaves are enormous ... 10 lb. Significance???

Hey, y'all. I have finally decided to branch out and give honest-to-gosh rye bread a whirl. I have a nice rye starter working, and I'd love to use it to recreate the fabulous rye I had in southern Germany lo these many years ago. It was medium brown inside -- not as dark as pumpernickel -- with a dark, glossy, chewy crust and a fantastic spongy texture. And oh yeah, the taste. Magnifico. (My memory may be slightly colored by the fact that when I was eating this bread I was a hungry youn'un schlepping a 50-pound pack across the byways of Europe. But it really was delish.)

Hi,
I am a serious cook and baker, but novice bread baker. I am particulary interested in dense German rye breads using rye berries, and am wondering if there is one book that stands out in giving space to German breads alongside French and Italian styles. I know that the Village Baker has some German recipes, but I am wondering how The Bread Bakers' Apprentice compares in covering dense German breads.
For example, I'd like to know how little flour you can get away with, and how long the berries need to soak.

Marcel's Grandmother's Potato Bread (Kartoffelbrot)

Marcel's Grandmother's Potato Bread (1)

Marcel's Grandmother's Spelt Bread (1)