It lubricates the internal
structure of intermediates to allow greater expansion during
proofing and baking and make the texture of finished
product more tender. It modifies the visual and tactile
texture of crust in the desirable ways. In some cases, natural
fats contribute highly desirable flavour notes to bread (Matz
1996). Shortening can be plastic, semisolid, in pourable
fluid form, in encapsulated powder form or pellet or flake
form. It is produced by formulating a blend, solidifying and
plasticizing the blend and packaging and tempering. The
large numbers of minute air bubbles, incorporated in the
shortening improves the leavening of bread.