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Sourdough Calculator

Calculate the amounts of sourdough starter, flour, and water for your sourdough bread

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๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ All calculations are based on Danish rules, rates, and currency (DKK). This calculator is translated for convenience but applies exclusively to Denmark.

Sourdough Calculator

Calculate the precise amounts of sourdough starter, flour, and water for your sourdough bread. The calculator assumes a 100% hydration starter where flour and water are in a 1:1 ratio.

What is sourdough?

Sourdough is a natural fermentation culture consisting of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria. It's used as a leavening agent in bread baking and gives bread a characteristic tangy flavor, better shelf life, and more complex taste.

Sourdough percentage

A typical sourdough percentage is 15-25% of the total flour amount. A lower percentage (10-15%) gives a milder flavor and longer rising time, while a higher percentage (25-40%) gives more pronounced sourness and faster rising.

Tips

Store your starter in the fridge and feed it regularly with equal parts flour and water. An active, bubbly starter is ready to use. Before baking, feed the starter 4-8 hours in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best sourdough percentage for beginners?

For beginners, 20% sourdough of the total flour amount is recommended. This gives a moderate tangy flavor and a manageable rising time of about 4-6 hours at room temperature.

Can I use sourdough instead of yeast in any recipe?

Yes, in most bread recipes you can replace yeast with sourdough. Use about 100 g active starter per 500 g flour and adjust the water and flour in the recipe accordingly. Rising time will be longer โ€“ typically 4-8 hours instead of 1-2 hours with yeast.

What does 100% hydration sourdough mean?

100% hydration sourdough means the starter is fed with equal parts flour and water by weight. For example, 50 g flour and 50 g water. This gives a thick, pancake-batter-like consistency. This type is the most common for home bakers.

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