2026-01-26 – Weekly Baker News : Sourdough ear perfection tips

Last week, our community delved into some intriguing subjects ranging from ingredient specifics to troubleshooting baking challenges. Members shared insights on traditional techniques, like hand-kneading bread, and explored modern twists such as integrating koji into laminated dough. Discussions also covered equipment maintenance and creative problem-solving for delivery issues, reflecting a shared commitment to both innovation and craftsmanship.


This Week’s Hot Topics

What year did xanthan gum get FDA approval
A question sparking curiosity and historical insight, this thread explores the journey of xanthan gum into mainstream baking.
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Chasing a cleaner sourdough ear
Bakers are sharing techniques and tips to achieve that elusive, perfect sourdough ear, a mark of well-executed bread.
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My mousse cylinder staged a mutiny
This lively discussion addresses common pitfalls when working with mousse and how to prevent these culinary revolts.
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Koji in laminated dough
Exploring the fusion of traditional and modern methods, this thread discusses the potential of koji in laminated pastries.
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Guard interlock headaches after washdowns
Members are troubleshooting mechanical issues that arise post-cleaning, a practical concern for maintaining efficiency.
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Hand-kneaded milk bread, 1930s style
A nostalgic journey into past baking methods, this topic revives classic techniques for modern bakers.
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When the groom says rustic
This thread humorously captures the challenges of meeting specific aesthetic requests in baking.
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Best torque wrench for mixer service
A practical guide to choosing the right tools, this discussion helps bakers maintain their equipment effectively.
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Freeze‑distilled fruit lamination trials
Innovative techniques are at the forefront here, with bakers experimenting with flavor intensification in pastries.
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Donuts outran my delivery schedule
A real-world challenge many bakers face, this thread discusses strategies to manage production and delivery timelines.
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Looking forward to another week of shared learning and baking adventures. Keep those ovens warm and discussions warmer.

Best ears for me: 30° shallow score, cold dough, clean lame; avoid overproof. https://www.theperfectloaf.com/scoring-bread.

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Beef 101 at Texas A&M (https://meat.tamu.edu/workshops/beef101/) gave us the cut-test discipline and trim logging, and the real move was an hourly PAR for Fridays using a simple ‘T-4 Friday avg × promo factor’ so we staged 12‑oz sirloins to cover the 6 pm run and still held shrink at 2.2%. Minor caveat: it’s beef‑heavy, so if you’re mixed case make sure your POS tags the 12‑oz spec separately or the forecast washes out.

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, the unicorn who can commission ‘Mercury-based controllers’ and rekey SFIC without grumbling is rare. What’s worked for me is hiring the stronger integrator, spinning up a tiny lab (LP1502 + OSDP reader + mobile creds) and giving them two weeks to build/commission, while paying a local locksmith to shadow-train them on SFIC for a month. If you’re targeting Q2, budget the lab now and block a SIA OSDP course slot: Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) - Security Industry Association — does that fit your training timeline?

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