Popular breakfast item bagels were first made in Polish Jewish communities. Typically, flour, water, yeast, salt, and a sweetener like honey or sugar are used to make bagels’ dough. But the only factor that distinguishes bagels from other breads is how they are prepared. Before being baked, bagels are either boiled or steamed. But which approach is the best?
The conventional bagels are boiling, which is the correct response to this query. Bagels get their recognizable chewy texture and beautiful crust from boiling. Before being baked, bagels are momentarily immersed in boiling water during the boiling process. The starches in the dough are gelatinized during this process, giving the crust its glossy, slightly sweet appearance. Additionally, boiling aids in preserving the bagel’s shape and reduces excessive baking puffing.
However, steaming is a more contemporary way to prepare bagels. A less glossy crust and a softer, less chewy texture are the results of steaming. To give steamed bagels a fuller flavor, additional ingredients like milk or oil are frequently added to the recipe. While steaming is a speedier and simpler method than boiling, purists might not favor it because it is not seen as traditional.
There are a few things you should think about if you want to operate a bagel shop in the UK. Finding a site with a lot of foot traffic and simple parking will be your first step. Additionally, you’ll need to spend money on top-notch tools like an oven, mixer, and proofer. Obtaining premium components is also crucial. Examples include toppings, yeast, and wheat.
Depending on the size and thickness of the bagels, baking them in the oven can take anywhere between 15 and 25 minutes. It’s crucial to flip the baking sheets halfway through cooking to achieve even baking. Before being taken out of the oven, the bagels must have an internal temperature of at least 190°F (88°C).
As a result, traditional bagels have a particular chewy texture and shiny crust because they are boiled before baking. The more recent process of steaming yields a crust with a softer texture and less sheen. You will need to spend money on top-notch supplies and equipment if you want to start a bagel store in the UK. Additionally, to guarantee even baking, flip the baking sheets and check the internal temperature before baking bagels.