Levain: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
levain
[ lษหveษชn ]
baking, fermentation
Levain is a fermented mixture of flour and water that serves as a natural leavening agent in bread-making. It contains wild yeast and beneficial bacteria, which contribute to the bread's flavor and texture. Unlike commercial yeast, levain requires a longer fermentation time but results in a more complex taste.
Synonyms
natural leaven, sourdough starter, starter culture.
Examples of usage
- I prefer using levain instead of commercial yeast for my sourdough bread.
- The bakery specializes in artisan bread made with organic levain.
- To achieve a perfect rise, make sure your levain is active and bubbly before using.
- Levain bread tends to have a thicker crust and a chewy interior.
Translations
Translations of the word "levain" in other languages:
๐ต๐น levain
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฒเฅเคตเฅเคจ
๐ฉ๐ช Sauerteig
๐ฎ๐ฉ adonan fermentasi
๐บ๐ฆ ะพะฟะฐัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ zakwas
๐ฏ๐ต ใซใดใกใณ
๐ซ๐ท levain
๐ช๐ธ masa madre
๐น๐ท mayalฤฑ hamur
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ ๋ฐ์ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุนุฌูู ุงูู ุฎู ุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ kvรกsek
๐ธ๐ฐ kvas
๐จ๐ณ ๅ้ ต้ขๅข
๐ธ๐ฎ kvas
๐ฎ๐ธ sรบrmjรณlk
๐ฐ๐ฟ าาฑะนะผะฐา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแกแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mayalanmฤฑล xษmir
๐ฒ๐ฝ masa madre
Etymology
The word 'levain' comes from the Old French 'levain', which means 'to rise'. It is derived from the Latin word 'levare', meaning 'to raise' or 'to lift'. This etymology points to the essential role of levain in the baking process, where it acts to elevate and expand the dough. The use of levain can be traced back thousands of years, reflecting traditional baking methods that rely on natural fermentation rather than commercial yeast. Throughout history, different cultures have developed their own variations of starters and sourdoughs, using local flours and methods. As artisanal baking has gained popularity in recent years, there has been a resurgence in the use of levain, embraced by bakers who appreciate the depth of flavor and texture it brings to bread.