ABSTRACT
The baking of bread is considered to be one of the oldest human activities. Bread and other baked products are simply a mixture of water, flour, and yeast, or another leavening agent, with more ingredients that enhance its flavor and texture. The modern baking industry is mostly based on wholesale bakeries, which mainly sell bread, cookies, crackers, cakes, and related frozen bakery products. These wholesale bakeries are equipped with extensive production facilities and reach consumers through retail locations. Understanding the processing steps of baked goods is of utmost importance in order to explain and foresee the consequent changes in the aroma quality. In general, the making of baked goods consists of mixing and kneading the ingredients, proofing the dough or batter using yeast or physical/chemical agents, and baking the final product. Bread is the most sold baked good, even though satisfactory white bread can be made at home with just flour, water, yeast, and salt.
