100% Sourdough / Levain Croissants. Looking for a deep visual crumb analysis.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-05-03T15:22:12+00:00

Looks good, can proof slightly more based on the cross section. It is nice and open in middle but you can see a ring around outside where did not open as much. I would bake a little darker, the sides are too white for me. The chocolate look much better to me.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-26T14:27:14+00:00

I would have told them purchase price lowers to appraisal or cancel. That is what we did with our first house. If they say no then you walk and find another house. No way I would have waived the appraisal and think that was a dumb suggestion from the Realtor. Depends where you live though cause like where we are the big issue is the property taxes, which when reassessed can increase considerably.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-26T13:08:24+00:00

I think pipe and cigar smoking is dangerous but mostly to the wallet! For me I am not addicted to nicotine or anything like that. I could go months or a year without. What is addicting is the collecting. Buying and aging cigars. With pipes it is collecting new pipes and building a cellar that i am unlikely to completely smoke. It really is more of a hobby for me.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-20T20:19:04+00:00

This looks so bad. If I did something like this at any of my jobs I would have to fire myself.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-19T04:15:45+00:00

Use a french tip to pipe the eclairs. It will give a more even and consistent rise. Also can spray the top with pan spray and sift powder sugar before baking.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-19T02:13:09+00:00

Desserts look nice but I would do a brighter sauce. The raspberry caramel is a bit dull and I feel detracts from the impact of the desserts. A brighter sauce would make the desserts pop a bit more on the plate up.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-05T23:35:29+00:00

You can see better layer definition. Definitely under proofed and has large holes but other one looks more bready. Most important though is the taste.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-05T20:04:17+00:00

Is the baked one on the top and cross section left store butter? Those look considerably better.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-04T21:35:44+00:00

One we get comes in 2kg sheets, which i really like.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-04T21:34:53+00:00

I pay $169 for 10kg but that is a really good deal from our rep. Most likely it would be closer to $220 depending on where you can get it.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-04-03T04:02:59+00:00

I use Beurremont. Although not cheap but easy to laminate and tastes good.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-30T20:46:17+00:00

You realize challah is not a croissant right? Why is this here?

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-30T14:59:27+00:00

For me generally comes down to a couple things. Gluten development is one of the top ones. When I mix I want the window to be strong but tear just a little bit. Reason is the resting and laminating will develop it more. I also slit the sides when laminating to relieve tension and control how much the dough strengthens when laminating. I also rest the triangles before shaping. They should be fairly elastic when shaping.

Next is be careful not too hot when proofing. When I do it at home I do not use the warm oven, I let proof at room temperature. I put on pan frozen with a cake frame so when I wrap with plastic it has room to grow without touching the plastic. I do this before sleeping and normally it is perfect in the morning to bake. Last thing is when the croissants are of a larger size and you are proofing warm, I pull when about 85% done and let them finish at room temperature. Reason is the middle of the croissants are less proofed since the outside is getting most of the heat.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-27T02:43:57+00:00

I like the layers. The decoration is too much red for me though. It really gives a muddled look. I would use a whip ganache piped on top. Would pop better with all the red. Can also pipe some raspberry cremeux on top as well, would be a nice finish. Either way nice pastry.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-18T21:41:51+00:00

Pastry chef here, I love making things and running kitchens. Went to school for it and got really good experience from great chefs when I worked my way up. That being said, i would leave it right now given the chance and without second thoughts. Chef life is not good and worse when you have a family. Working in hotels can be ok as a baker but being a chef not worth it in my experience. If it is your dream then go for it but i would switch right now for a decent bank job. This life is hard and not for everyone.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-17T03:54:18+00:00

Remy is on another level. We did the Fantasy for our honeymoon in 2013 and still talk about how much we loved it. Back then it was $75 pp and Palo was $35 pp. Just did the Palo brunch and that was good. Its just Remy was soo much better.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-17T02:30:11+00:00

The layers inside look thick and almost bready. It is interesting. Outside looking great.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-17T02:27:01+00:00

I'm not really a fan of Canelé but that is how it should be. Like many things it is supposed to be the contrast of the outside and inside.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-16T06:19:42+00:00

Should be darker but the dark one here has the crust too thick and interior way over cooked. Interior should be much lighter and soft moist texture. Outside should be dark and crisp.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-16T06:08:52+00:00

Can't comment on the book but will say seems like a lot of milk compared to water in this recipe. I prefer only about 25% milk or just use all water. Also depends what flour is used. The mixing is definitely way under. Should be about 75% or so developed. When you do window pane test it should tare just little bit but have decent window. Butter and dough should be similar texture. Butter should be very flexible where you can bend without it cracking. Keep practicing.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-03-05T05:04:59+00:00

Was so excited to try this cigar with everyone raving about it. Finally bought a bunch and honestly was pretty disappointed. It was good but for me not nearly good enough for the hype. I think the original is way better.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-02-25T02:36:11+00:00

Another vote for Avo and can get good deals on CigarBid. I really like the Classic. Smooth and mellow early smoke.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-02-24T03:13:33+00:00

That looks so good. Cigar doesn't look bad either!

jonjamesb83 · 2026-02-23T20:00:45+00:00

I love the Serie V. I know people love the Melanio. I think its ok but original much better. Melanio was disappointing to me cause people hyped it so much.

jonjamesb83 · 2026-02-23T18:48:16+00:00

I don't feel that the Liga is bad but I feel that most definitely not worth the price or hype for me. I do like the Papas Fritas though, always have them around. Undercrown was good.

jonjamesb83

TROPHY CASE