By Jo Hill, Editor

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 07:46

Please don't say 'it improves bread'. I am loving my breadmaker but don't use bread improver. Just wondering what difference it would make - presumably it's some kind of preservative, in which case not sure I want to add something unnatural. Thanks for any help! Jo x

Replies

By gerry

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 08:27

I haven't used it either, Jo, and my bread's fine. People do add vitamin C, I think to help with rising or something, but I don't use that either.

By chillie

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 08:54

Snap, Jo. I have often wondered what bread improver is but never thought to ask. Actually I have never seen it sold here. I don't use Vitamin C either. chillie

By Meatloaf

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 08:57

Bread improver was first used by the baking industry in the 50's in order to speed up the making of bread. Improver contains enzymes which cause a chemical reaction in the dough creating gas in order for the dough to rise much more quickly. This resulted in the bread industry through the chorleywood process being able to mass produce the unfortunate plastic bread we now have on the supermarket shelves.

Andrew Whitley in his superb book ' bread matters' argues that the whole process of speeding up the making of bread has been not only to the detriment of taste but also to the health of people eating this type of bread with the improvers in it.

He also puts forward strong evidence to suggest that wheat allergies have become more common place since this bread making process was introduced.

Scientifically it is proven that people who display signs of allergy to wheat, are not allergic to the wheat itself, but are reacting to one of two proteins in the flour.

In the days before the chorleywood process, dough was made for bread over a period of 12-24hrs. This long period of making the bread results in the specific protein that causes some people problems, being naturally chemically altered, which results in people being able to then digest the now altered protein.

There is anecdotal evidence that in France where the traditional method of making bread is still common practice, people in this country who have problems with digesting flour, do not get the same reaction to their bread.

By Meatloaf

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 09:03

Incidentally I make my bread over a 24hr period, and discovered by accident that a friend of my daughters at university who suffers from IBS, has been able to eat the bread I have baked, without any ill effects.

By gerry

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 09:10

Thanks for the info in your 1st email, Meatloaf.
BTW I too usually make it over 24hours.

By Francisca

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 09:26

I read about bread improver on this site a few years ago, I believe. Till then my bread would go stale very quickly and never seemed quite right. Since I started using it I bake wonderful bread. Problems? We have never had any! Without it I would have given up baking bread because as it is only for the two of us I would be throwing bread away on a regular basis!

By gerry

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 10:34

Francisca, my bread doesn't go stale. Do you add a bit of oil or fat to it?

By Francisca

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 10:47

Yes, Gerry, I tried everything: brandy, fat..... but bread never seemed to rise enough and it dried out quite fast. I have heard that from a lot of people who give up baking bread all together. And it was not my way of doing it as it was the same thing in the bread maker. Now I have excellent bread, you wouldn't believe it! Even after four days it is still fresh and lovely. By the way, you can buy bread improver in Lakeland or else order it from the Internet. Soy Lecithine also seems to help and so does vitamine C but I have never tried. I use a teaspoon.

By gerry

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 10:53

Francisca, how odd. Can't be the flour, because I assume you're using the same flour. Must be one of life's mysteries.

By Francisca

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 10:58

No idea Gerry... still I hear the same from a lot of people! But then maybe some people don't really mind if the bread is not that fresh.....

By top conker

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 10:58

I use bread improver and have done so for the past 12 months with no problems whatsoever.
My bread will easily keep for 4 days, (if I can make it last that long), which was previously impossible.
I've looked at the ingredients on the packet and can see no reason whatsoever not to use it.
I'll print out the ingredients tonight when I get home.
My bread is not quicker to rise, and the only enzyme I can see is vitaim C. (vitamin C is used to keep yeast healthy in wine making).
So, from my point of view I can see no reason not to continue to use it.
TC
XXX

www.kitchenfoods.co.uk

By Meatloaf

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 11:50

Bread improver contains enzymes. The enzymes do not have to be listed on any lable in the list of ingredients, because they are classified as ' processing aids' and are not covered by EU law.

By top conker

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 12:02

I guess the use or non use of bread improver is down to the individual as in all things.
Again, I would say I see nothing that would worry me about using it, unless of course I wanted to go back to baking bread that only lasted 24 hours, was dry, did'nt rise too well and I was'nt happy with.
Incidentally, I also use the overnight method to make wholemeal bread,(recipe in my profile), and am happy with it.
TC
XXX

By Francisca

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 12:18

I agree with TC, I got that advice here and I am quite happy so I try to pass it on when I can (although I don't earn anything with it, let it be clear.......). Whoever wants tries... who doesn't want goes on baking the traditional way! For me it doesn't make any difference at all!

By Biggles

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 12:53

I had never knowingly used bread improver. However, the flour I'm buying in France has ascorbic acid included in the ingredients. It took me a few loaves to get to the consistency we prefer, I'm not unhappy to have the ascorbic acid included. I have made 8 loaves since Saturday, given 2 away and people can't seem to have too much of it. The bread will last very well for 7 to 8 days if it is not eaten in that time. Biggs

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 17:16

so can you use bread improver in a breadmaker....TC recommend that Debs try it in her bread recipes as she was having some problems.

And also what shops or web sites is this available from?

Thank you.

Sammy

By Francisca

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
08 May 2008 19:03

What flour do you use Biggles? I use Francine but I can't keep the bread for 8 days...... yes, Sam, you can use bread improver in the breadmaker. You can get it from Lakeland for example and also from a site which is called I think Kitchen shop or something. I am not at home so I can't access my favourites right now but if you search here Bread Improver I have given the address a few times already. For me it has worked.... anyway, you can ask the lady who sells it, Emma, anything you find important, she is extremely helpful.

By Jo Hill, Editor

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
09 May 2008 10:15

You're such a wonderfully knowledgeable lot! Thanks so much for the help. Not sure I will use it as our bread doesn't last long enough to need better keeping qualities. It's also really soft so no complaints on that front. Am pleased to hear that it's a natural additive though, not a chemical.

By K8, Sydney, Australia

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
10 May 2008 01:50

This is quite interesting. I use bread improver (from local supermarket) in my bread maker when I make whole grain bread, but for white bread I use the juice of half a lemon (added in the water) instead of the bread improver. I think I read this tip on the Dan Lepard site about 2 years ago but can't be certain, when I first started making bread I visited so many sites. Have a go and see if it works for you.

By Jennifer merseyside

Re: what exactly is bread improver and why use it?
10 May 2008 13:21

You can order the bread improver from Lakeland Ltd.,
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!11682
I use it for my Wholewheat or Rye breads so they are lighter, and am pleased with the results.
Most of my bread is Sourdough so is risen over a much longer time than ordinary doughs, and I find that the wholemeal bread is much lighter in texture.