How to Spot a Masterfully Baked Baguette

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My favorite bakery in Brooklyn, Biencuit.

The reason I came here for the first time

was for your bread, namely the baguette,

which to me is basically the picture of perfection.

Why don't you tell us what to look for

when you're buying a baguette?

There's a couple details.

One, you look at the ends and you notice

that they're tapered off like this.

And that usually indicates that it was shaped by hand.

You also see that dark color.

That dark brown indicates that you have the Maillard effect.

What does that mean?

It's essentially caramelization.

Okay, you're browning meat for a stew, Maillard effect.

You're baking a baguette, it browns, Maillard effect.

And the Maillard effect creates

a huge amplification in flavor.

Don't shy away from something that's maybe

a little browner than you would want

because that's actually how it's supposed to be.

Also, are these parts that come up, they call them ears.

That indicates proper proofing, good fermentation.

It indicates that the baker knew what he or she was doing.

One of the things that you could look for

beyond the crackle...

(crackling)

That's an important detail.

Oh, that sounds good.

Isn't that nice?

Yeah.

You ever go to those baguettes and you hold it

and it's like, sad.

It like, meh.

Doesn't make any sounds.

Right.

It needs to sound alive.

Once you cut into the interior

you see a varied crumb structure.

Some of it tighter than others,

and that is what you're looking for in a well-made baguette.

Then you can take the aroma...

Hmm.

It really does smell really good.

Want a bite?

I know I'm hungry, but yes.

Yes.

1,000 times yes.

That's nice.

That's so nice.

Now that you know how to shop for the perfect baguette,

what to look for, how it should sound,

how it should look, how it should feel,

go forth into the world, viewers.

Show us your perfect baguette.

Where did you find yours?

Leave it in the comments below,

and don't forget to subscribe to the Bon Appetit channel.

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