How To Use A Baker's Couche

What is a linen couche proofing cloth? How can it be used to bake sourdough bread? Watch, listen, or read to learn about one of my favorite kitchen tools, plus how to care for it!

"What is a linen couche proofing material? How do I use it and intendance for it?" Melissa C. wants to know on today's #AskWardee. I'one thousand sharing my thoughts below!

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The Question

Linen couche … what?

Linen couche. (Pronounced koosh.)

It'south a stiff and sturdy piece of linen that is absolutely the best thing ever for proofing dough.

#AskWardee 023: What Is A Linen Couche Proofing Cloth? How Do I Use It And Care For It? | My linen couche is one of my favorite things to use in the kitchen -- especially when baking my no-knead einkorn sourdough bread.

And recently TCS Member Melissa C. wrote in asking for more data:

Hello Wardee. I take recently received a linen couche. I was hoping you could go over how to intendance for ane and tips for blistering with it. Thank you.

Ah… what a blessing to go a couche!

My linen couche is one of my favorite things to use in the kitchen — especially when baking my no-knead einkorn sourdough bread.

My Answer

Let's back up a bit and cover the unstated question of what is a linen couche anyhow, and so I'll share how to utilise it and care for it.

What Is A Linen Couche Proofing Cloth?

SF Blistering Institute says:

Linen sail for proofing bread is mainly used in France and is chosen (couche) meaning: layer, diaper, lay down or verb go to sleep (coucher).

Made of natural flax fibers with no chemical color or setting used, linen is the best fabric for proofing breadstuff. Linen is very durable, simply flexible and calorie-free, which allows the folds needed separating the shape of dough. Shaped loaves of breadstuff are placed in between the folds of linen to assistance the bread maintain its shape during proofing, reduce the amount of space needed in between the loaves, and prevent the loaves from proofing into each other. Linen volition absorb the backlog moisture of the dough and minimize stickiness during proofing or overnight retarding but volition non dry out it out, giving a overnice thin crust. The fabric can last forever if scraped or brushed later every usage, and and so hung to dry before using again. If washing linen, it must be cold water and hang dry out. It might shrink.

Here is the i I have.

So… a recap of what it does:

It proofs/rises complimentary grade loaves of dough.
Linen is ideal because information technology absorbs backlog moisture while minimizing stickiness, and it's both flexible and light.
Information technology doesn't dry out out dough.
Dough doesn't become in the fibers and create a mess.

You might also notice sturdy, natural, 100% linen at a textile store — buy a yard or two of it and use it for proofing.

Tips For Using Your Linen Couche

Flour the couche well to preclude sticking, or flour the dough well before laying it in — especially a stickier dough like einkorn or spelt.

When making no-knead dough, line a colander with half the cloth. Add your dough (which is well floured and/or the couche is floured), and so fold the other half over.

If you lot're proofing a round artisan loaf inside information technology, put the dough in upside downwardly considering and so when y'all tip out your dough, it's correct side up in the blistering pan.

When doing baguette-manner loaves, lay them betwixt folds.

Hither'due south my recipe for no-knead artisan sourdough einkorn breadstuff.

How To Treat And Make clean Your Linen Couche

Your couche cloth should terminal your whole life and really should never need to be done! If y'all experience you lot need to wash it, employ cold h2o and hang information technology to dry.

The non-washing way to keep it clean:

After using information technology, castor it off, then hang information technology to dry.
If there are whatsoever bits of dough, let them dry showtime, and then flake off with your fingers.
Fold and store with your linens until next time.
Make certain to tell your family information technology is Non a towel and is reserved for Mama's baking. 🙂

Again, here is the linen couche cloth I have.

Links Mentioned:

Gratis No-Knead Artisan Sourdough Einkorn Bread Recipe
Free Sourdough Starter Instructions
Purchase A Linen Couche
Recommended Tools & Supplies for Einkorn Baking eCourse & eBook

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Have you ever heard of a linen couche cloth for proofing dough? Do you have one?

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