Batch 558

Batch 558 was made with Waitrose wholemeal, the tail end of the Carr's strong white and the start of Calbourne's strong white, that is to say the flour from the Isle of Wight, probably made from wheat grown there and the arrival of which was noticed at reference 1.

This was a quick batch, with the bread done by shortly after 1430, with 1630 or even later being more usual - from a 0730 start. No idea whether the speed was due to warm airing cupboard, warm weather or the new flour.

But by 1800 it was quite cool and tasted very well indeed - with still warm bread having its points, but generally being a bit light on flavour.

Snapped here in the proving bin at the end of the second rise, just before it went into the oven. High-end baking tins from Tavistock - which also do very well.

Just a walk-on, decorative role for Polly and her friends on this occasion. The virtual cat flap they use can be seen at the bottom of the door left.

PS: in the course of the post-bread brick shift, I tweeted the first newt of the season in the small lily pond - it being warm enough to bring it out but early enough in the season for the pond not to be covered by lily leaves. Joey (the Siamese cat from next door) appeared to be taking a close interest from about six feet away, but sloped off when I arrived.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/04/stocking-up.html.

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