DIY: How To Make Your Own Sourdough Bread – Sourdough bread is something that comes in handy especially when you are a sourdough bread lover. In this article, I will be showing you how to make your own sourdough bread at home.

Is it worth it to make your own sourdough bread?

Perhaps you must be thinking about whether it is worth it to make your own sourdough bread rather than buying it from a bakery. Well, I found out that making your own sourdough bread is worth it due to the cost involved.

Homemade sourdough is much cheaper. Additionally, homemade sourdough offers health benefits like easier digestion and improved gut health. The process is also rewarding as this provides a sense of accomplishment and connection to traditional baking.

What items do I need to make sourdough bread?

Let’s just say you have made up your mind to make sourdough bread. Well, you will need some items to make this a success. In order to make sourdough bread, you’ll need a few essential tools and this includes a kitchen scale, a dough whisk for mixing, and starter containers for storing your sourdough starter.

One thing that you have to know is that a starter proofer helps maintain the right fermentation temperature, while an instant-read thermometer ensures proper dough and oven temperatures.

Also, a dough proofer provides the ideal environment for dough rising. Bench and bowl scrapers aid in handling and shaping the dough, and bannetons (proofing baskets) are used for the final rise and to create beautiful crust patterns.

What ingredients should be in real sourdough bread?

In fact, it is safe to mention that every real sourdough bread embodies simplicity. This means that when making sourdough bread, you must be focused on some key ingredients.

These key ingredients are flour, water, salt, and starter (also known as Culture). These foundational elements actually make authentic sourdough. The natural starter or culture acts as the leavening agent.

While the flour, water, and salt form the fundamental components, the starter introduces the distinctive tang and texture characteristic of sourdough.

What is the best flour for sourdough bread?

Just like making other bread, there are the best flour that are suitable. So it is when it comes to making sourdough bread. In order to get the best results when making sourdough bread, having a balanced flour blend is key.

The best flour that is recommended for making sourdough bread is a flour mixture that comprises 50% whole-meal flour. Specifically, a 50/50 combination of whole wheat flour and bread flour is suggested for initiating a robust sourdough starter.

Can you use plain flour for sourdough?

To some extent, you can use plain flour to make sourdough bread. However, what you must know is that it’s not a straightforward swap as you must use the best flour to get the best results when making sourdough bread.

When you want to make sourdough bread with plain flour, you’ll need to decrease the overall water quantity. This is due to the fact that plain flour has lower water absorption compared to bread flour.

How to make sourdough more sour?

As someone who want to make his or her flour intended for making sourdough bread a bit more sour, you can try something out.

To enhance the sourness of your sourdough bread, you must prolong the fermentation process. As the dough undergoes proofing, beneficial bacteria metabolize sugars and starches present in the flour.

The scientific effect of this is that the enzymatic activity diminishes the sweetness and intensifies the sour flavor profile.

By prolonging the fermentation duration, you provide ample time for the bacteria to consume additional starches and sugars. This consequently heightens the sourness of the bread. Thus, a lengthier fermentation period promotes a more pronounced sour in your sourdough loaves.

How To Make Your Own Sourdough Bread?

You can actually make your own sourdough bread, and you can do so by following the simple steps below;

To start with the sourdough bread making process, begin by creating or obtaining a sourdough starter. You are required to mix equal parts of flour and water in a jar and let it ferment at room temperature. The duration for this is several days. You must try to feed it regularly until it becomes active and bubbly.

Pick a large bowl in which you will combine the flour, water, and a portion of your sourdough starter. Proceed to add salt and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Go ahead and knead the dough on a floured surface you must see to it that you have to do this for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Proceed and place it back in the bowl, then cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rest for several hours or overnight.

Once the dough has risen, you must gently shape it into a loaf on a floured surface. Then, place it in a floured proofing basket or bowl, seam-side up, and cover it with a cloth. You must let it rise again until it is doubled in size.

At this point, you must preheat your oven to a high temperature around 450°F or 230°C for at least 30 minutes. After this period, the baking must begin. So, carefully transfer your risen dough to the preheated oven. You can score the top with a sharp knife or razor blade to allow for expansion, then cover and bake for about 20-30 minutes.

Go ahead and remove the cover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until it turns golden brown.

Source: www.ghgossip.com