The Fresh Loaf

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Back to front dough behaviour

Bread Bug's picture
Bread Bug

Back to front dough behaviour

Hi all.

Just posting out of curiosity really as ive noticed my sourdough...er..doughs seem to behave the opposite way to how i see them on YouTube tutorials and wondered if anyone else had experienced this.

For context i have been making sourdough country loaves at around 75% hydration for five years and can make a passible loaf now, however i still get drawn into watching YouTube videos on a fairly regular basis. The videos on there seem to start with a very sticky dough that over 3-4 hours of bulk ferment, with stretch and folds, gradually get stronger and hold their shape. One i saw recently, the baker was able to easily pick his dough up in one hand before putting it in a banneton and into the fridge for an overnight proof (and i think his hydration was getting on for 80%)

For me i combine all my ingredients and after only a few minutes of just mixing by hand, the dough forms a nice ball that easily peels away from the bowl. i do my 3-4 hours of bulk ferment (usually a bit longer at the moment with it being colder in England) and 3-4 rounds of stretch and folds but the dough seems to get shinier, stickier and looser over this time. it doesnt get the domed top as it rises unless i go down to 68%-70% hydration. Then, even after shaping, it takes two hands to lift it into the banneton (and it still tries to escape!)

The flour i use is 15g protein bread flour with a handful of 17g wholewheat flour so its not like its weak.

Anyway, its not really a problem, other than it would be nice if it held its shape a bit more in the oven, but just curious to see if anyone else has found this.

thanks

Robertob's picture
Robertob

Hey, 

It would be helpful to see pictures, however ai had similar issues when my levain was too acidic. 

 

R

Bread Bug's picture
Bread Bug

Thanks Robert, that's interesting, i might try upping my feeding schedule to twice daily in the run up to baking and see if that makes a difference