Sites to Visit:
 American Institute of Baking

 Art Institutes, The

American Society of  Bakery Engineers

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence

How Stuff Works (Bread)

International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association

International School of Baking

Kansas State Univ -
courses and curriculum

Pastry Chef Central

Retailers Bakery Assoc

Wheat Foods Council
 

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Origin: Baked grain products used as food, is traceable to  prehistoric times. Bread is believed to be made from acorns or beechnuts, crushed and mixed with water, then natural or artificial heat was applied to transform the grain into a cake-like substance.   Proof of unleavened bread made of grain was unearthed in the ruins of the Swiss lake dwellers, the earliest known civilized communities of Europe. Baking by Egyptians occurred before the 20th century BC. Public ovens were established in Rome during the Republic.

Baked Food:  Most common is bread, pastries, cakes, taking advantage of a chemical reaction between flour, sugar, liquid (usually milk or water), and yeast.  Further baking processes have been extended to almost all foods such as meat, fish, vegetable, and fruit dishes.

Business/Industry:  Large and significant impact on the economy.  Besides including the baking ingredients, the business and industry of baking includes:

Bakery Services               Machinery (New & Used)
Bakery Showcases           Equipment (New & Used)
Engineering                       Cake Decorating
Bakery Small Tools          Packaging Supplies
Computer Software           Rack Covers
Cleaning & Sanitation       Decorating Kits
  both Programs & Products

Examples of Machinery & Equipment:

Silos/Bulk Storage             Conveying Dust
Fork Lifts                                Containment Filters
 Pallet Jacks                       Scales
Mixers                                Retarders
Sheeters                              Presses
Pans                                     Proofers
Ovens                                  Conveyors & 
Cooling Rooms                        Components
Freezing Rooms                  Icers & Glazers
Spray Applicators               Jelly/Filling Injectors
Pumps                                  Packaging Equipment
Dry Refrigerated                Pan Washer Racks
   Show Cases                      Misc. Racks
Vinyl Rack Covers             Air Brushs/Compressors
Icing/Frosting Applicators  Holding Freezers

Delivery Systems Apply in Many Instances

*Note -  All areas of the economy seem to be affected in some way by the baking industry.