I used Google.com & found lots of info. I did not know what you were talking about - so tried googling. This is the first one & has lots of info and websites that are referenced.
As I understand it, Sekowa backferment is similar to sourdough, but relies on the spontaneous fermentation of honey with milled grain for a starter. The organisms that honey provides will dominate the more usual lactobacillae for a less sour taste, better digestibility and the possibility of a purely gluten-free loaf.
I experimented with a gluten free loaf a few weeks back (barley & quinoa flakes) and substituted my usual sourdough starter with about 1/4 tsp sekowa backferment (the gluten-free one, they also have one for wheat loaves) and my usual 18+ hour method.
What came out was a bit strange but clearly it was nicely fermented with a slightly slour flavour, a very rubbery/translucent crumb and so on. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was having never baked anything like it and just guestimating the hydration levels...
There are entire bakeries built around using Sekowa backferment which is based on Steiner's work and it is regarded by many as a very high quality thing.
I suspect one has to be very careful with amount, timing, temperature, just as with any leavening agent.
really baker Hugo Erbe developed it from indications by Rudolf Steiner using honey, salt and pea flour untill of course his bakery in Ulm was raised by the Allies...
Replies
I used Google.com & found lots of info. I did not know what you were talking about - so tried googling. This is the first one & has lots of info and websites that are referenced.
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/14024/sekowa-backferment I hope you find this useful. Happy Baking. M
As I understand it, Sekowa backferment is similar to sourdough, but relies on the spontaneous fermentation of honey with milled grain for a starter. The organisms that honey provides will dominate the more usual lactobacillae for a less sour taste, better digestibility and the possibility of a purely gluten-free loaf.
I experimented with a gluten free loaf a few weeks back (barley & quinoa flakes) and substituted my usual sourdough starter with about 1/4 tsp sekowa backferment (the gluten-free one, they also have one for wheat loaves) and my usual 18+ hour method.
What came out was a bit strange but clearly it was nicely fermented with a slightly slour flavour, a very rubbery/translucent crumb and so on. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was having never baked anything like it and just guestimating the hydration levels...
There are entire bakeries built around using Sekowa backferment which is based on Steiner's work and it is regarded by many as a very high quality thing.
I suspect one has to be very careful with amount, timing, temperature, just as with any leavening agent.
Ash.
indirectly yes
really baker Hugo Erbe developed it from indications by Rudolf Steiner using honey, salt and pea flour untill of course his bakery in Ulm was raised by the Allies...