The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Couche/Canvas

Paddyscake's picture
Paddyscake

Couche/Canvas

Does a couche/canvas ever get washed?

andrew_l's picture
andrew_l

Paddyscake, I worry about this too. Richard Bertinet, in his book "Dough", says he never washes the linen tea towels he uses to form his loaves as he doesn't want the dough to taste of residual soap powder or conditioner. He says that the flour will just sort of shake off - but mine doesn't. It sticks there, and if I try to brush it off, the linen goes sort of furry, which encourages the dough to stick even more. So I now leave it, the linen lined couche looking rather crusted on with flour, but it works. I reckon it must be hygenic still, as the dough gets such a blast of heat it must be sterilized on the outside. But I do worry about it! I'm glad you brought this up!
Andrew