Chinese Tangzhong Starter

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Tangzhong (or Tangzhong starter) is an Asian bread-making technique that involves cooking a mixture of flour and water (or milk) until it forms a thick paste.

This process, known as starch gelatinization, allows the dough to absorb more moisture, resulting in bread with a softer, fluffier, and more elastic texture.

How Does Tangzhong Work?

When flour is heated with water or milk to 65°C (150°F), the starch granules absorb liquid and swell, creating a gel-like consistency. This helps the dough retain more moisture, making the bread:
✔️ Softer and fluffier
✔️ More elastic and tender
✔️ Stay fresh for longer without drying out

How to Make Tangzhong?

To make Tangzhong, follow these simple steps:
🔸 Mix 1 part flour with 5 parts water or milk (e.g., 100g flour + 500g water).
🔸 Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and reaches 65°C (150°F).
🔸 Remove from heat and let it cool before using it in the dough.

What Types of Bread Use Tangzhong?

Tangzhong is commonly used in Japanese and Asian milk breads (such as Hokkaido Milk Bread) but can be added to any bread recipe to enhance texture and shelf life.

When I saw Angie’s post it was love a first sight.  I had all the ingredients I needed at home and wanted to make the bread immediately. 

I had a few questions to ask Angie regarding the Tangzong Starter and amount of yeast added but because of time difference Angie was probably sleeping when I sent her the e-mail, so I google searched to find out more about it.  I read a few posts here and here.

The first time I made this recipe I divided the bread dough and made half of it into some savory buns using halloumi and gouda and I sprinkled some poppy seeds and black sesame seeds on top and in the other half I added tahini with honey and cranberries.  Although the dough has sugar in it the combination with the savory filling was fantastic.

We loved them and the Tangzhong starter was really easy to make.  I had some leftover starter so the second time I tried them using honey, instead of maple syrup.  The result was just as good.  I preferred not to add any filling and we ate them for breakfast with merenda, which is a chocolate cream similar to nutella, with jam and made some sandwiches.

Bread Rolls

To make the dough

• 320 grams All-purpose flour
• 100 grams Whole wheat flour
• 40 grams Fresh yeast – 1 tsp sugar – ¼ cup water
• 5 grams Salt

• 70 grams Sugar
• 45 g Egg
• 95 g Warm milk
• 45 g Maple syrup
• 120 g Tangzhong Starter – Water Roux Starter via Starch Gelatinization
• 45 g Butter

Filling ingredients:

• 80 g dried cranberries
• 6 tablespoons tahini with honey

Or

• 150 grams halloumi or graviera
• 150 grams gouda

Optional

• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Tangzhong Starter

Makes: 500 grams starter

Ingredients:

• 100 grams bread flour
• 500 grams water

Directions:

1. Whisk together the water and the flour until the mixture is well blended and lump free.
2. Stir the mixture while it cooks over the medium heat to reach 65C/150F. It takes about 2-3 minutes. If you don’t own a thermometer like I do, continue whisking until the mixture starts to thicken up and remove immediately from the heat.
3. Transfer to a bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent from drying and after completely cooling down you can start using it. Store the remaining starter in the refrigerator, covered with cling film.
4. To use the starter, measure out the amount called for in a recipe and let it warm to room temperature.
5. This starter must be used within three days.

On the third day I still had some leftover starter so I made some plain buns (without the egg wash) for some turkey burgers I made.

Note:  Although the amount of yeast used in the recipe seems a lot, this yeast  was bought from my local bakery and the amount of yeast used was satisfactory.  However, when I made them again, I bought the yeast from the supermarket.  I followed the instructions on the package which was 42 grams yeast for 1 kilo of flour and again the quantity used was satisfactory.  So you will have to adjust the amount of yeast accordingly.

Buns

Makes:  12 buns

Ingredients:

• 290 grams all purpose flour
• 320 grams bread flour
• 100 grams fresh yeast (see note below)
  
• 70 grams sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 medium egg(45 gr.)
  
• 95 g warm milk
• 45 g maple syrup or honey
• 120 g Tangzhong Starter – Water Roux Starter via Starch Gelatinization
• 45 g Butter
• 1 egg for egg wash
  

Directions:

1. Place all the dough ingredients, except butter, in a mixing bowl. Mix with dough hook at slow speed for 1 minute. Switch to medium speed, and continue to knead until a dough forms. Add butter gradually and beat until gluten is fully developed, i. e. elastic and smooth.
2. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, covered and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size. Divide the dough into 2 even portions, round up and rest for about 10 minutes.
3. Press down each dough to release gas and divide into 6 equal parts.
4. Roll out each piece of dough as thin as you can and add a tablespoon of halloumi and gouda (or tahini and cranberries) and roll up.
5. Place each rolled dough in a lightly greased pan or loaf pan or lined with parchment paper and cover loosely with a towel. Leave to rise for about 40 minutes. After rising, brush the dough with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds and bake in a preheated 175C/350F oven for about 30 minutes.

I am sending this recipe to Rachel, of Tangerine’s Kitchen, who is hosting this month’s Bread Baking Day, created by Zorra.

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!!

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