Pleasant Hill Grain Baking Glossary

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Nitrogen Sealing (also Nitro Packed) – Packaging in which all, or virtually all, oxygen has been removed to eliminate the degrading effects of oxidation and thereby extend product storage life. Common methods of oxygen elimination include flushing with nitrogen gas, inclusion of oxygen absorber packets, or both. Packaging must be effectively sealed and made of a highly oxygen-impermeable material for nitrogen packing to be effective for long term storage.

Nixtamal (also Hominy) – Corn, or other grain, that’s been soaked and cooked in a solution of water and powdered lime, and then hulled.

No-knead – A simple, easy method of bread baking in which kneading is unnecessary. Long rises create the same finished result as quick, intensive kneading. This is an especially good technique for bakers to use who have arthritis. The key to no-knead bread is a long fermentation of wet dough in the refrigerator to develop good flavor as well as gluten structure. A large amount of dough could be refrigerated for weeks, making it quick to portion off a loaf amount at a time for baking just before a meal.