Battle of the Wheat
This week's bake is a side by side comparison of the two heirloom varieties of wheat Red Fife and Turkey Red. The procedure followed closely the epoxy method Peter Reinhart uses in Whole Grain Bread. A soaker was made of half the flour, water and salt which was left at room temperature. The other half of the flour was mixed with starter and water then put in the fridge after sitting for an hour or so. All amounts, mixing techniques and temperature were exactly the same and both flours were freshly ground.
The next morning after the leaven was allowed to warm the two components were added together along with .25 tsp ADY, a small amount of additional flour, salt and a touch of water to get the doughs to feel right. 4 S&F done 15 min apart, an hour bulk fermentation, shaping, and an hour proof followed. Both were baked at the same time in two DOs starting at 500F lowering to 450F immediately after loading then 425F after uncovering total time was 30 min. These loaves are half size compared to my normal which is based on 500g flour.
Similarities and differences: Both handled hydration (about 75%) and fermentation the same which somewhat surprised me. The Red Fife flour was fluffier and the Turkey Red was more deeply colored. The Red Fife dough was more elastic, the Turkey Red more extensible. Both crumbs were light and moist and really good for 100% WW. The Turkey Red has a more nutty taste maybe because of darker pigmentation but the Red Fife also has a pleasant flavor. I think both perform better than more modern wheat when hand mixed and time is used.
It was an interesting experiment but I think the contest was a draw. I intend to keep using both in the future.
Stu
Comments
bread would be a 50/50 mix of the two
Yeah I think your right. That's next, but knowing that I'll have to add something else just to see what happens.
Thanks for taking the time and interest to share. I've been using Red Fife as my WW for a year or so, and really like it, but am interested to try Red Turkey also.
Any chance we can see crumb shots?
Cathy
I wish I could show a crumb shot but the technology impaired me has never figured out how to upload more than one picture. If I may make a suggestion if you want to buy Turkey Red try Breadtopia, they have both wheat berries and flour in small quantities at a fair price so you don't have to commit too much.
Sty
then determined to master the system, so I could post additional photos in my blogs. I'm still never entirely confident as I go, but somehow make it happen. There is guidance in the FAQs and the little green tree is your key to uploading and posting your images just where you want them. Taking it a step at a time, I know you can do it!
Thanks also for the tip on where I can find Turkey Red. I buy most of my whole grain flours from Grist and Toll, in Pasadena, and I think they may carry it, too.
Cathy