When you think of Absolute Bagels, the first thing that likely comes to mind is their delicious, chewy, and perfectly golden bagels. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to create these iconic New York treats? There’s a lot more to the process than meets the eye. From the high-quality baking equipment to the carefully honed techniques, everything is crafted to produce the best bagels possible. Let’s dive into the world of Absolute Bagels and explore the baking equipment and techniques that make their bagels stand out from the crowd.

The Essential Baking Equipment for Perfect Bagels

Producing high-quality bagels like those at Absolute Bagels requires specialized equipment designed to handle the rigors of daily baking. Here's an overview of the key equipment used in their kitchens:

1. Commercial Mixers: The Backbone of Bagel Dough

A sturdy, commercial-grade mixer is crucial for kneading bagel dough to perfection. The consistency and elasticity of the dough make or break the final product, and these mixers are up to the task. Unlike home mixers, commercial mixers at Absolute Bagels are capable of handling larger quantities, ensuring uniformity across every batch. The robust kneading process ensures the dough develops the proper gluten structure, leading to that characteristic chewy texture bagel lovers crave.

These mixers aren’t just powerful; they’re precise. Controlling the mixing speed, time, and dough hydration is key. Precision ensures every bagel has a consistent rise, texture, and flavor. Absolute Bagels relies heavily on these mixers to prepare dough that can be shaped into the perfect bagel without breaking or overworking it.

2. Bagel Boilers: The Secret to the Chewy Texture

Boiling is a critical step in bagel making, setting it apart from other bread products. Absolute Bagels uses top-of-the-line bagel boilers that provide the ideal combination of heat and water ratio to achieve that chewy exterior.

The boiling process gelatinizes the outer starch, giving the bagel its iconic shiny, firm crust. Without proper boiling, a bagel wouldn’t have the right balance between chewiness and crispness. While the boiling process is brief, the equipment’s ability to maintain a precise temperature is key. Any deviation could affect the overall texture and taste.

3. Deck Ovens: Perfect Heat Distribution for Baking

Once the bagels have been boiled, they go into deck ovens—one of the most important pieces of equipment in any bagel shop. Absolute Bagels’ deck ovens are known for their even heat distribution, which is critical for achieving a uniform bake.

Deck ovens use stone or metal surfaces that retain heat, allowing bagels to cook evenly. This equipment also ensures that the bottoms of the bagels are perfectly crisp, while the tops maintain their softness. The art of controlling oven temperature, and even positioning bagels within the oven, makes all the difference. A well-baked bagel has a uniform color, a slight crackle on the crust, and a soft interior.

4. Dough Dividers and Rounders: Ensuring Consistency in Every Bagel

To produce bagels at scale, consistency is key, and that’s where dough dividers and rounders come in. These machines are designed to cut the dough into equal portions and shape them into uniform rounds. At Absolute Bagels, the use of dough dividers ensures that every bagel is the same size, which is essential for even baking.

While hand-rolling is still common in artisanal bagel shops, Absolute Bagels balances tradition with technology by using dough rounders. These machines help form the perfect dough round, ready to be shaped into bagels while maintaining consistency in size and texture.

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Techniques: The Craft Behind the Crust

Though top-notch equipment plays a vital role, the techniques used by the bakers at Absolute Bagels are equally important. Here's a closer look at the artistry that goes into making each bagel.

1. Dough Fermentation: Time and Temperature Are Everything

The fermentation process is where flavor develops, and it’s a delicate balance of time and temperature. At Absolute Bagels, the dough is allowed to ferment overnight, which gives it a deeper, more complex flavor. This slow fermentation allows the yeast to work its magic, developing the sugars in the flour and creating a tangy depth that complements the bagel’s texture.

Unlike some bakeries that speed up this process, Absolute Bagels sticks to traditional fermentation techniques. The result is a bagel that is not only flavorful but also easier to digest, thanks to the longer fermentation that breaks down more of the starches.

2. Hand-Rolling: Tradition Meets Precision

Even with the use of dough dividers, hand-rolling remains an essential part of the process at Absolute Bagels. Hand-rolling bagels gives them their characteristic shape, with a slightly uneven, rustic look that machine-made bagels lack. This technique requires a practiced hand to ensure the dough is not overworked, which could result in a tough, dense bagel.

Hand-rolling is a skill passed down through generations, and the bakers at Absolute Bagels take pride in maintaining this tradition. It’s this attention to detail that contributes to the unique texture and flavor of their bagels, setting them apart from the competition.

3. The Importance of Boiling in Malt-Infused Water

Boiling is not just about setting the crust; it’s about infusing flavor as well. At Absolute Bagels, the water used for boiling contains malt syrup, which enhances the flavor and helps achieve the perfect golden-brown crust during baking. Malt syrup adds a subtle sweetness and depth that is quintessential to New York-style bagels.

Boiling also helps lock in moisture, ensuring that the bagel’s interior remains soft while the exterior forms that distinctive chewy crust. Timing is everything in this step—boiling for too long can lead to a tough crust, while not enough time results in a soft, underwhelming exterior.

Modern Meets Traditional: Balancing Efficiency with Artistry

What makes Absolute Bagels stand out isn’t just the use of modern equipment but their ability to balance technology with time-honored traditions. While they have adopted commercial mixers, dough dividers, and high-tech ovens, they remain rooted in techniques like hand-rolling and slow fermentation that give each bagel its unique character.

This blend of the old and new allows Absolute Bagels to produce high volumes without sacrificing quality. It’s a delicate dance, ensuring that modern efficiencies don’t overpower the artisanal techniques that make bagels so special. By finding this balance, they are able to meet customer demand while staying true to their roots.

Conclusion: The Art and Science of Bagel Making

The bagels at Absolute Bagels are more than just a quick breakfast fix—they’re the result of carefully chosen equipment, well-honed techniques, and a dedication to maintaining traditional methods while embracing modern advancements. From the commercial mixers and deck ovens to the hand-rolling and fermentation processes, every detail is thoughtfully executed to produce a bagel that is as close to perfection as possible.

So, the next time you enjoy a bagel from Absolute Bagels, take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and the precision that went into creating it. Every bite is a testament to the artistry of bagel making and the seamless integration of equipment and technique.

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