What is the reason that a recipe might instruct to measure certain liquids by weight in baking (like eggs or water in a bread recipe) in order to maintain a precise ratio, and how is this related to the concept of baker’s percentages?

Question

See water listed by weight in a bread recipe? Find out the reason for this and how it relates to the precise ratios used in professional baking.

Answer 1

Measuring liquids by weight in baking ensures greater accuracy and consistency in ingredient ratios, which is crucial for repeatable results, especially in bread making. This precision is directly related to baker's percentages, a system where all ingredients are expressed as a percentage of the flour weight.

Detailed Explanation:

When baking, especially bread, the precise ratio of ingredients significantly impacts the final product's texture, rise, and overall quality. Measuring liquids by volume (e.g., cups or tablespoons) can be inconsistent due to factors like how tightly ingredients are packed, the shape of the measuring cup, and even the humidity. Weight measurements, on the other hand, are far more accurate and reliable. For example, one cup of flour can vary significantly in weight depending on how it's measured.

Baker's percentages are a system used by bakers to formulate and scale recipes. In this system, flour is always considered 100%, and all other ingredients are expressed as a percentage of the flour's weight. For instance, if a recipe calls for 500g of flour and 350g of water, the water percentage is 70% (350g / 500g * 100%). Using weight measurements allows bakers to easily calculate and adjust these percentages, ensuring consistent results regardless of the batch size. This is particularly important for recipes where hydration levels (the ratio of water to flour) are critical, such as sourdough bread.

By using weight measurements and baker's percentages, bakers can easily scale recipes up or down without altering the fundamental ratios of ingredients. This level of precision is essential for achieving consistent and predictable results in baking.

Pro Tip:

Invest in a kitchen scale that measures in grams. Even an inexpensive digital scale will dramatically improve the accuracy and consistency of your baking, especially when working with bread recipes.