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Sourdough Hydration Explained
Sourdough hydration refers to the moisture content (by weight) of the starter or dough.
A 100% hydration starter is equal weights of flour and water.
A dough that is 75% hydration is very easy to handle and the basic ratio would look like this:
400 grams flour (100%), 300 grams water (75%).
Converting Your Pre-Existing Sourdough Starter To 100% Hydration for Ease of Use
A 100% hydration sourdough starter is quickly becoming my standard measurement. Once your starter is the exact hydration percentage you can feel very confident in the recipes provided here.
To convert your starter mix 100 grams of flour and 100 grams of water together into a thick paste. Add 20 grams of your sourdough starter and let it ferment. For future feedings always use equal weights of flour and water and you will keep your starter at 100% hydration.
Feeding Your Sourdough for Successful Baking
Learning how to feed your sourdough starter and understanding the optimal time to use it will ultimately make you a better baker. I wrote a post all about feeding sourdough starter. Find it here – How To Feed Your Sourdough Starter for Successful Baking
Helpful Conversions
I definitely recommend you use a scale for the accuracy of weighing ingredients. But if you don’t have access to a scale here are a few beginning conversions that can help get you started.
Cathleen
Saturday 25th of February 2023
What is the difference between bread flour and home ground 100% wheat flour? Thank you for your help.
Butter For All
Monday 27th of February 2023
Hi Cathleen!
Bread flour is in most cases a hybridized wheat with a high protein content. Typically it is either sifted or hulled to remove the outer bran and keep the soft, white, inner starch. The high protein content translates to higher gluten development and a more open crumb structure.
Home ground wheat flour can be any wheat variety you choose, but it will have 100% of its hull ground into the flour. So it will have more vitamins and minerals, more flavor, translating to a higher chance of spoilage due to the increased oil content, and more anti-nutrients that will need to be taken care of with soaking, sprouting or souring. It's best to keep whole wheat kernels and fresh ground flour in the refrigerator or freezer. Or only grind as much as you can use in a few days. Whole wheat flour will create a bread that is much more dense with less gluten development, but a lot more flavor and nutrition.
I hope that helps!
Courtney
Ella
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
Hello Courtney, I started my sourdough starter journey last week. I used day 1 50g of whole wheat flour and 50g water, day 2,3 and 4 i used ratio 1:2:2 (25g starter, 50g flour and 50g water). It was doing very well day 2 (almost rised twice by 24 hours), day 3 rised less but bubbles were there, day 4 the same. Am I feeding it too much? You have a different ratio in your recipe - 50g starter, 25g flour and 25g water. Temperature in my kitchen is between 70-72 degrees
Thank you for your advice! Ella
Butter For All
Monday 27th of February 2023
Hey again! I answered you in the previous question, but I will say that the temp could be increased to really favor the yeast. Check out the temperature inside your oven with the light on. If it's between 80-95℉ you could keep your starter in there while it becomes established. If it's too warm in the oven, try cracking the door to see what temp the oven stays at.
Ella
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
Hello Courtney, I started my sourdough starter journey last week and I'm on day 4 now. It rises less then before and it troubles me. I used 50g whole wheat flour and 50g water 1st day. Next days I used ratio 1:2:2 (25g starter, 50g flour and 50g water). I noticed that you used a different ratio in your recipe - 50g starter, 25g flour and 25g water. Am I giving him too much in my feedings?
Thank you, Ella
Butter For All
Monday 27th of February 2023
Hi Ella!
Sorry for the slow reply I recommend a 1:2:2 ratio for reviving a dehydrated starter, but for starting a starter from scratch, I like a 2:1:1 ratio. This ensures the yeast (who may be struggling to reproduce quickly) aren't getting overly diminished with each feeding. It's really very normal for you to see a big rise in the first day or two when the bacteria isn't as established, followed by a slower period of yeast growth as things start to balance out and the lactic acid starts to build. The yeast have to adjust to this new acidic environment. Hopefully you kept going and are starting to see some consistency with rising. I think you could continue with a 1:2:2 ratio (there is no definitive ratio) or try reversing it to see what works best in your situation. I hope you'll follow up to let me know how it goes!
Best of luck,
Courtney
Wendy
Sunday 15th of January 2023
Hello!l Courtney!
I am a beginner and I appreciate your very thorough articles. So helpful and something I plan on sharing with my daughter. 😊💕
One request… when viewing your articles on my iPhone, the DO NOT SELL tab blocks the left side of the screen making it difficult to read all of your instructions. If there is any way you could move that tab to another location, it sure would be helpful.👍
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to being your student!
My Best, Wendy
Butter For All
Wednesday 18th of January 2023
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for your thoughtful note, I love hearing that you are getting your daughter involved in cooking and baking!
I'm so sorry there is a tab blocking you from accessing the site correctly. I'm not sure what the "Do not sell" tab is. So would you mind grabbing a screen shot and emailing it to me at courtney@butterforall.com please? I will check it out and see if it's something I can fix myself!
Sarah
Sunday 7th of August 2022
Hi Courtney!
I’m very new to the sourdough world and am doing some reading before I fully commit. With your starter recipe, what size of glass container do you use? Some have said it can more than double in size... I want to have a big enough jar but not too big... Also, would a plastics twist lid work? I’m thinking it would breathe very well?
Thanks for being such a thorough sourdough resource for this newbie!
Butter For All
Thursday 11th of August 2022
Hi Sarah!
Welcome! Typically I use a quart jar or larger. I like to have lots of starter on hand for many baking projects. But it really depends on how much you want to keep. You can always switch containers if you need to make more or less. You are right, a plastic screw on ball jar lid works great! I also like locking lid jars with the seal removed. You'll have to keep me posted on your progress!!
Happy Baking,
Courtney