Leavening
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Leavening refers to the process of adding a substance to dough or batter to make it rise and become lighter and more airy. This is typically achieved through the use of leavening agents, which release gases that cause the dough or batter to expand. In this article, we will explore the different types of leavening agents and how they work to create light and fluffy baked goods.
Types of Leavening Agents
- There are three main types of leavening agents:
- Chemical leaveners: Chemical leaveners are substances that release gas when they are combined with moisture and an acid. Baking soda and baking powder are common chemical leaveners used in baking.
- Yeast: Yeast is a living organism that feeds on sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. This gas causes the dough to rise and become light and airy. Yeast is commonly used in bread baking.
- Physical leaveners: Physical leaveners are substances that create air pockets in the dough or batter, causing it to rise. Examples include beaten egg whites, which are commonly used in soufflés and meringues.
How Leavening Agents Work
- Leavening agents work by creating gas bubbles in the dough or batter. Chemical leaveners release carbon dioxide gas when they come into contact with moisture and an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. This gas gets trapped in the dough or batter, causing it to rise and become light and fluffy.
- Yeast works by feeding on the sugars in the dough and producing carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. This gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and become light and airy. Yeast requires time to work, so bread dough is typically left to rise for several hours before baking.
- Physical leaveners work by incorporating air into the dough or batter. This is typically achieved by beating egg whites until they are stiff and then folding them into the batter. The air pockets created by the beaten egg whites cause the batter to rise and become light and fluffy.
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