de-atkinvate

January 13, 2004 12:22 PM

Bread. History of the victual.
posted by the fire you left me (2 comments total)

When I first made bread, I remember thinking: Who the hell thought this up? Specifically, yeast. Who was the inventor who said, "Hmm. This wheat paste has been tasting a bit flat lately. It needs something extra... I know! Fungus!"
posted by profwhat at 2:38 PM on January 13, 2004

A couple of years ago I learned how to bake bread. It takes time but I find the process rewarding. The best book I've found on the subject is The Bread Baker's Apprentice by Peter Reinhart [review].

Yeasts are so common in our environment that the first yeast risen breads were probably an accident caused by someone letting the dough sit too long before putting it in the oven.
posted by D.C. at 2:44 PM on January 13, 2004