Smologies with Alie Ward
BREAD BAKING with Seamus Blackley
Nov 21, 2024
Seamus Blackley, a polymath and the inventor of the Xbox, shares his captivating journey into bread baking and ancient fermentation. He discusses resurrecting 4,000-year-old Egyptian yeast and the science behind sourdough starters. Seamus dives into the relationship between bread making and civilization, emphasizing its historical significance and emotional connections. He provides practical tips on wild yeast collection and scoring bread, highlighting the joy and simplicity of connecting with our culinary ancestors.
29:45
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Quick takeaways
- The revival of ancient yeasts for breadmaking illustrates the deep historical connection between humanity and this staple food.
- Understanding the role of natural yeasts in fermentation highlights the science behind unique flavors and textures in bread.
Deep dives
The Connection Between History and Bread
Breadmaking is rooted deeply in history, tracing back to ancient civilizations like Egypt. The podcast highlights an amateur gastro-Egyptologist who revived yeast from ancient pottery to bake bread, illustrating the profound connection between humanity and this staple food. This tradition reflects how agrarian societies relied on bread as a reliable food source for survival, emphasizing its nutritional value and central role in communal life. The evolution of breadmaking also serves as an intriguing lens through which to explore the development of human civilization itself.
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