Just heard someone at the farmers market say sourdough is easy if you ignore the hype

I was selling my loaves at the Saturday market in Greenville when this older woman told her friend that sourdough comes down to just flour, water, and patience. She said most folks overthink it. That got me thinking I probably complicate things with fancy starters and timers. Has anyone else simplified their routine and gotten better results?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice_hart6d ago

Maybe it's just me, but the temperature of your kitchen matters way more than any fancy starter does. I tried ignoring all the timers and just baked when the dough felt right, my loaves got way better.

kelly_craig6d ago

My buddy Matt was obsessed with getting his sourdough perfect, bought a fancy thermometer and everything. Then he moved into this old apartment with a tiny, drafty kitchen that was always either too hot or too cold. Realized his dumb toaster oven on the counter was the only consistent heat source, so he'd just set his bowl next to it and watch the dough. Started getting his best loaves ever and never touched that thermometer again.

webb.ben6d ago

Hold on though, his thermometer obsession was probably what taught him what to look for in the first place. You can't just "feel" it if you don't already know what the temp is supposed to be.