When baking homemade bread, the cookbook tells me to brush water on it while it bakes. What does this do?

Answer 1

Brushing or spraying water, When I bake bread in the bakery, i use a clean spray bottle that is much easier than brushing, makes the crust of the bread hard and chewy. Like on french bread or baguettes.

Answer 2

Brushing or spraying created steam and makes crusty outside.

Answer 3

makes the crust crispy and golden brown.....i can almost smell it baking

Answer 4

Keeps it from burning and the tip soft until ready to brown,,,