Bread Towel or Couche for Bread Proofing

Bread Towel or bread couche (pronounced "koosh") is a piece of cloth or linen that is used to support the shape of bread dough during the final rise or proofing stage. The couche is typically made of a natural, non-stick fabric such as linen or cotton, and is floured to prevent the dough from sticking to it. To use a bread couche, the dough is placed on top of the floured couche, and then the couche is folded over the dough to support it and prevent it from spreading out too much during the rise. The couche helps the dough maintain its shape and allows air to circulate around it, which creates a crispy crust when the bread is baked. Bread couche is commonly used in traditional European bread baking, particularly for breads like baguettes and batards. It's an essential tool for artisan bread bakers and is often used in combination with a baking stone or a Dutch oven to achieve professional-quality bread at home.