3-Minute Bread! Matza Make Your Own

March 1, 2006

It is not unusual for Jewish Orthodox groups to make their own matza. They form associations of about 30 people and rent a bakery for several hours. Why rent a bakery? Because matza must be baked in a special oven that is used only for matza. It also has to be very hot, up to 900oF (482oC)! The group divides into smaller groups according to jobs: mixing and kneading, rolling out the dough, and putting the matza in the oven. From start to finish, it only takes three minutes!

The primary concern in the whole process is that no chametz (leaven) comes in contact with the flour or utensils used. Everything must be perfectly clean. Timing is essential because once the flour and water are mixed, it only takes 18 minutes for the leavening process to begin.

The ingredients are simple: water (one part) and flour (three parts). However, fresh spring water is used by the most Orthodox. There is also a very special kind of flour used for shmura matza. Shmura comes from the root word that means “to guard.” It is flour that has been supervised from the moment the grain is harvested until it is packaged to make sure it has not been contaminated by any moisture. This matza is usually big and round, similar to what the children of Israel might have baked.

As soon as the water hits the flour, the clock begins ticking. It has to be baked within 18 minutes. The best kneaders can knead the dough in 20 seconds. It’s divided into small, firm, one to two inch balls and rolled into thin circles. A special roller is used to perforate the matza so no air bubbles cause it to puff up. The dough is then hung over long, smooth poles and brought to the oven. With a twist of the wrist, it is laid in the oven. It only takes 20 seconds to bake in a professional brick or stone oven. If you do it at home, you line the oven shelf with floor tiles and use the highest temperature possible, taking two to three minutes to bake.

Even if you don’t have all the professional tools, why not give it a try? If you have children, it could be a great way to teach them the Exodus story.

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