2025-12-29 – Weekly Baker News : Croissant origin surprise

Last week in our baker community, members engaged in lively discussions around some nuanced techniques and equipment choices that can impact our baking outcomes. One popular thread focused on the use of hand mills for heritage wheat, with bakers sharing their experiences and recommendations. There was also a lot of interest in optimizing fermentation practices, particularly in colder weather conditions. Another noteworthy topic was the heritage and origins of croissants, sparking curiosity and some surprising revelations among members.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Hand mill advice for heritage wheat
Members are weighing in on the best hand mills for processing heritage wheat, sharing personal experiences and tips that could elevate your whole grain game.
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Refractometer and pH meter at the bench
A practical discussion on the utility of refractometers and pH meters in baking, helping bakers refine their techniques and product consistency.
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Croissant origin twist most bakers miss
This thread uncovers lesser-known facts about the origins of croissants, offering a fresh perspective that most bakers aren’t aware of.
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Water temp + friction factor worksheet
An insightful resource for bakers aiming to master dough temperature control, complete with a worksheet to streamline calculations.
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Dialing in winter bulk fermentation
With winter approaching, bakers are discussing strategies for bulk fermentation in colder temperatures, ensuring consistent dough performance.
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Dialing in chew on gluten-free bagels
A deep dive into achieving the perfect chew in gluten-free bagels, tackling common challenges and sharing successful techniques.
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Reliable scales for student stations
Bakers are recommending dependable scales suited for student use, focusing on precision and durability.
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Baker’s dozen as safety stock
Exploring the concept of using a baker’s dozen as a buffer, this thread offers practical insights on inventory management.
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Rejected a donut at 49.4 g
A light-hearted yet serious discussion about quality control, sparked by a donut being just slightly underweight.
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Best pH meters for sourdough
Bakers are debating the best pH meters for sourdough, aiming to perfect their loaves with precision acidity measurements.
Read more here


Looking forward to another week of sharing knowledge and learning together.

1 Like

But i’ve had good luck with a TSC DA210 plus peeler for 2x1 FEFO β€” well under $600 and fast; set β€˜gap sensor’ and darkness 9 so dates stay crisp in the cold case, but add the external roll holder if you burn through rolls… Want my ZPL for a 2x1 with bold date?

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But i’ve been messing with β€œhand mills for heritage wheat”: a quick freezer chill on the berries and a two‑pass grind, then 45–60 min autolyse, keeps the dough from going sticky and over‑fermenting β€” otherwise my bulk races, . If it still runs hot, sift out about 10% coarse bran and fold it in at lamination; this write‑up helped me a ton: https://breadtopia.com/baking-with-fresh-milled-flour/.

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Tempering my heritage wheat berries to about 12.5% moisture (mist 1–2% water and rest 8–12 h) before the hand mill has been a game changer β€” , brittle bran used to make my ferments gummy. If I’m rushed, I just sift once with a #40 and do a 3% bran soaker; @marta this balanced the crumb better than chilling for me: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2018/11/05/grinding-your-own-flour. Anyone else seeing cleaner fermentation with a short temper?

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