Bread Making of Chief Crumb and A Little Bird Crust
Most bread needs two rises. During the first rise, keep the dough in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, so it will not get dry. An alternative and easy method is to use a shower cap instead of the plastic wrap. If your kitchen is dry, it is a great idea to cover the bowl with a damp tea towel.
Fermentation, in the process of bread making, refers to the activities of the yeast itself. Yeast eats sugar and emits gas, aroma and alcohol. This gas is sealed with elastic layers of gluten, and allows the dough to rise.