Baking is a method of preparation in which food is cooked evenly using heat.
What's it all about?
- What does “baking” mean?
- Baking process
- What baking products are available in the METRO range?
The tradition of baking goes back a long way. The ancient Egyptians and Romans developed the first ovens to bake their grain into bread and simple cakes. Even then, a staple food was being turned into a pleasure. Nowadays, baking has developed into a versatile cooking technique that also plays an important role in gastronomy. In addition to classics such as bread or rolls, the process also offers numerous options for oven dishes such as lasagne, quiches or dishes au gratin.
What does baking mean?
The term baking can be traced back to the Old English ‘bacan’, which means to warm or roast. It describes the thermal preparation of food in which ingredients, often in the form of a dough, are cooked by heat in an oven and made edible. Baking combines craftsmanship with precise technology and encompasses a wide range of sweet to savoury dishes – be it baking biscuits, cakes, tarts or pizzas.
Baking – a process of heat and chemistry
Baking is a thermal cooking process that is carried out by dry heat, usually in an oven. Heat is conducted from the surface of the food to the centre, often creating a firm crust and a soft core. During baking, various physical and chemical processes take place: fats melt, gases expand, proteins denature and sugars caramelise. These reactions give the food not only its texture but also its characteristic baked aroma.
METRO's own brands for baking
As a partner to the catering industry, METRO has a wide range of own brands that perfectly equips every professional kitchen. In addition to numerous fresh products and essential baking ingredients such as flour, nuts, raising agents, spices and much more, METRO also offers its customers a wide range of baking equipment and accessories. Whether it's large or small ovens, oven gloves, baking tins or casserole dishes, METRO has the right solution for every oven dish.
Baking can also be done with plant-based ingredients – with egg substitutes such as Kala Namak, flaxseed and aquafaba, restaurateurs can create versatile and sustainable alternatives: