Brioche

[Isa]

As you all know by now I made some brioche. They turned out very well. They had a nice head, great colour, the texture inside was great. I served them at breakfast this morning to friends and they all liked it but I did not. The brioche had a faint yeast smell but did not have a yeast taste when you ate it. I’m at lost to understand what could have cause that, could someone please enlighten me?


Thanks

[ 02-11-2001: Message edited by: Sisi ]

[m brown]

What displeased you? the lack of yeast flavor or the aroma of yeast?
for the best flavor, proof times must be long and gentle. knock back the dough at least once during the proof time and allow to double twice.
got to love that brioche!

[Isa]

M. Brown,


Thanks for the advice. I would prefer if the brioche did not smell like yeast. It's all I can smell and I really don't care for that smell.

Sisi,

I wonder if you might dislike the brand of yeast that you're using? There's an article about yeast in the Jan/Feb issue of Cook's Illustrated that might help.

[Isa]

Mary,

I always use the same brand of yeast, Fleishman, it's the only brand available here. Some grocers have a store brand but I prefer to stick with a product I know.

Thanks for the tip on the article in Cook's Illustrated, I'll be sure to buy it.

One thing I forgot to mention, the yeast I used for the brioche expired on January 28 2001. It proofed all right and the sponge was fine. The dough rised fine. Do you think if you have caused the yeast smell?

Sisi, Cook's Illustrated commented that Fleischman's was "cheesy smelling" with a "sour dairy aroma" in an American sandwich bread recipe with milk and a "fair amount of yeast and sugar". Possibly this was similar to your brioche dough.

They indicated in their tasting that SAF yeast had a clean, natural and clear flavor. Red Star was rustic and unencumbered. Fermipan Instant was clean, fresh and mild. You should probably get the issue so you can read the whole article...

[Isa]

Thanks again Mary. It really sound like a fascinating article. Woud never have thought different yeast would lend a different taste to the finish product.

[mudbug]

iza,

the more you cook and the more experience you gain, the more you'll notice just how important every ingredient you use is and what a difference "the best" ingredients can make!

[Isa]

Cchiu,

You speak words of wisdom.


Thanks!

[foodnfoto]

I love SAF yeast. It's the only one I use. I love eliminating that annoying 1st proof of the yeast when making bread and the taste is much better. Anything to get me closer to hot fresh bread and jam!

[m brown]

I make brioche several times a week and this is how I do it, now granted I make one for (chile pepper)curtons and the other for bread pudding!

Start with Active dry yeast, make a sponge with 3Tbl flour, 2 Tbl Yeast, 2 Tbl granulated sugar and 1/2 cup warm milk and 3 Tbl warm water.

let that go on top of the oven for 1/2 hour. Then add 10 room temp extra large eggs, rest of the flour 7-8 cups and 1 Tbl salt. develope for 15 min then add chopped up butter, 1/2 # and develope until it looks like slik. Proof until double, knead, form and proof until double again then bake 350 -375 for 1/2 hour to 45 min.
The original formula called for a full pound of butter, and a double proof before forming, so when makeing brioche for eating, go for the extra butter and extra time.


[ February 22, 2001: Message edited by: m brown ]

[Isa]

What is SAF yeast?


M. Brown thanks for your recipe, I'll give it a try this weekend.

Iza:

Check this out. They also have an area that shows what stores in your area carry it.
http://www.safyeast.com/

[Isa]

Crudeau,

Thanks for your help, I thought it was a kind of yeast not a brand. Unfortunatly, there is no listing for stores in Canada.

I am seriously considering a little grocery shopping trip to Vermont...

Iza:

Their history is pretty interesting and they claim to have been selling in Canada for a lot of years now. I am sure that if you e-mailed them, they would tell you which stores in your area carry their product.