Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare and ssp. spelta cultivars: 2. Bread-making optimisation

In this study, we analysed the bread quality parameters of five bread-making flour from single cultivars, namely two spelt wheats (‘Espelta Álava’ and ‘Espelta Navarra’) and three bread wheats (‘Bonpain’, ‘Craklin’ and ‘Sensas’). The grain from the five cultivars, all grown in an organic system, had been milled using the same procedure. Given that bread-making value of flour is closely linked to the dough rheological properties, the use of flour types other than bread wheat requires us to consider modifying the bread-making process. Therefore, the first step of this study was to optimise the bread-making process seeking to maximise the quality of the five breads. Subsequently, it was found that despite the poorer rheological properties and higher gli/glu ratio, the breads made with the spelt flours had better bread quality parameters: larger loaf volume, higher crumb resilience and lower crumb density and firmness. Principal component analysis separated the two spelt wheats from the other samples. We speculate that the bread-making process itself may be a major factor in the quality found in these breads.