Pane di Como

Since ancient times, the surface of the bread is scored or cut before baking for many breads. Once baked, these score lines lend the bread a typical look. The technical purpose of this is to divert the excess pressure that develops during baking in a more controlled manner. The incision takes on the function of a pressure relief valve. This avoids cracks in the crust and prevents cavities from forming directly under the crust. Both can also be avoided by “dimpling”. Dimpling means piercing the surface with a skewer or a fork. This creates holes approx. 1 cm deep in the bread surface, from which the pressure can escape.

Sometimes it is even advantageous to moisten the dough before dimpling or scoring so that the shape can develop well. However, there are also many bakers who first cut and then moisten, because they are not so concerned with the perfect shape.

Wheat dough is scored once 3/4 proofed and baked immediately afterwards. Fully proofed dough pieces result in an unattractive shape after scoring because there is less volume increase during the baking process. 

Only very sharp and clean cutting tools should be used for scoring. In practice, simple knives with a serrated edge, sharp knives, but also razor blades are used. The dough skin must not be torn, it must have smooth cut edges.

The depth of the cuts depends on the proofing status of the dough piece. The more mature and fully proofed it is, the shallower the cut has to be. A deep cut should be made if the proof is pre-mature. By opening the dough skin, a balance can be created between the state of maturity of the dough piece and the time it is placed in the oven. With the scoring technique, temporal deviations in the production process can be compensated for.

Wheat breads are provided with more cuts than rye breads due to the larger volume increase. Free-formed wheat breads get several diagonal cuts, pan breads often only get one lengthwise cut. Types of bread such as baguette are cut at an angle that follow the shape of the dough and are therefore particularly long. The knife is drawn very flat. This type of scoring results in a particularly high proportion of crust. This increases the aroma of the bread significantly, because these breads are primarily characterized by their crusty aroma.

In addition to the simple cuts across the bread shape, there are also breads that are decorated with round patterns and thus give certain regional breads a particular look.

Reasons for scoring wheat breads:

  • The cut acts like a valve if the internal pressure of the dough is too high during baking and thus prevents the uncontrolled tearing of the dough skin during expansion.
  • The desired shape of the bread is stabilized by the cuts.
  • With the cuts there is an increase in the proportion of crust.
  • The cuts promote the swelling of the baked goods and enlarge the surface.

Recipe

For a dough weight of 2407g / 2 pieces 1204g

Spelt sourdough:

  • 145g Spelt flour Type 630
  • 145g Water 45°C
  •   10g Starter

Maturity time: 18 hours DT: 25-28°C  Hydration(TA): 200

Biga:

  • 375g Spelt flour Type 630
  • 225g Water 20°C
  •     1g Yeast

Maturity time: 18 hours   (2 hours at room temperature and then store in the refrigerator at 4°C) DT: 22-24°C  Hydration(TA): 160

Main dough:

  • 300g Mature spelt sourdough
  • 602g Mature biga
  • 600g Water  30°C
  • 225g Spelt flour Type 630
  • 600g Tipo 00
  •    45g Honey
  •    30g Salt
  •      5g Yeast

DT: 23-24°C  Mixing time: 7 minutes slow / 5-6 minutes fast  Hydration(TA): 172

Instructions:

  • Mix all the ingredients into a smooth dough (7 minutes slowly/ about 5-6 minutes fast). 
  • After kneading, store the dough in an oiled tub and leave it covered to rise.
  • Fold the dough 1x after 30 minutes.
  • After a further 30 minutes, divide the dough in half and form into round loaves. 
  • Proof with the seam-side up in proofing baskets. 
  • Once ¾ proofed, turn the dough out and score as desired.
  • The bread is baked at 250°C with strong steam.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 200°C after 10 minutes and bake until well browned. 
  • The total baking time should not be less than 55 minutes.
  • In order to get a stronger crust, the steam is released toward the end of the baking time.