Country 74% Sourdough Formula for 600g Flour: 428g Water & 120g Levain (1 Standard Loaf)
True 73.94% vs 76.4% apparent breakdown for 600g flour (1161g 1 standard loaf, -16g water cut).
A 1161g sourdough batch using 600g flour and 120g starter holds 660g total flour (600g + 60g). While 444g apparent water creates 76.4% wetness (+2.4% drift), cutting 16g to 428g main water with 13.2g salt locks True Total Hydration at 73.94% (target 74%).
- Strict True Hydration Water
- 428gLocks True Total Hydration at 73.94% (target 74%, -16g)
- Unadjusted Apparent Water
- 444gPushes True Hydration to 76.4% (+2.4% surge)
- 20% Active Starter & Salt
- 120g / 13.2g60g hidden flour + 60g hidden water
- Stickiness & Rheology
- 3 / 5 StarsModerate (High extensibility)
Gravimetric Scaling Table for 600g Base Flour at 74% Hydration
Exact autolyse (385g) and bassinage (43g) water calibration around 600g flour at 74% hydration.
| Batch & Seed Spec | Flour Breakdown | Levain Split | Corrected Water (74% Ref) | Salt & Dough Mass | Apparent vs Locked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 550g @ 72% (15% Seed) Compact Mix (-50g) | 550g + 42g = 592g (74%/600g ref) | 83g (42gF/41gW @ 100%) | 385g W (vs 396g app @ R1) | 11.8g salt (1018g dough) | 73.8% drift → 71.96% (72% goal) |
| 600g @ 72% (18% Seed) Conservative Pour | 600g + 60g = 660g (74%/600g ref) | 108g (60gF/48gW @ 80%) | 427g W (vs 432g app @ R2) | 13.2g salt (1135g dough) | 72.7% drift → 71.97% (72% goal) |
| 600g @ 74% (20% Seed) [Locked Benchmark] | 600g + 60g = 660g (74%/600g ref) | 120g (60gF/60gW @ 100%) | 428g W (vs 444g app @ R3) | 13.2g salt (1148g dough) | 76.4% drift → 73.94% (74% goal) |
| 600g @ 76% (22% Seed) Open-Crumb Push | 600g + 66g = 666g (74%/600g ref) | 132g (66gF/66gW @ 100%) | 440g W (vs 456g app @ R4) | 13.3g salt (1172g dough) | 78.4% drift → 75.98% (76% goal) |
| 650g @ 76% (25% Seed) Expanded Loaf (+50g) | 650g + 72g = 722g (74%/600g ref) | 163g (72gF/91gW @ 125%) | 458g W (vs 494g app @ R5) | 14.4g salt (1271g dough) | 81.0% drift → 76.04% (76% goal) |
Dynamic Stoichiometric Workbench (428g)
Test custom loaf weights or alternative fermentation schedules directly against the 444g benchmark above.
Open Crumb & Gluten Physics at 74% Hydration (600g Flour + 428g Water)
Flour-water coupling on 600g base grain changes once 120g liquid levain (60g F / 60g W) enters the mixer: 444g main water creates 504g total water (76.4%, +2.4% overshoot). Scaling back 16g to 428g water over 660g total flour locks True Total Hydration at 73.94% (target 74%).
Capillary water binding across 660g total flour (600g + 60g) at 73.94% (74% target) leaves a 3/5 stickiness profile with high extensibility. Subtracting 16g water (428g vs 444g) and dosing 13.2g salt locks vertical oven spring in the 1161g loaf.
Double-Hydration (385g + 43g) Mixing Steps on 600g Flour
- Dry-Pocket Elimination (600g F + 385g W): Combine 600g flour with 385g water (withholding 43g from 428g) for a 45-min autolyse.
- Deduction-Calibrated Mix (-16g Cut from 444g): Work 120g active starter, 13.2g salt, and 43g bassinage water into the 1161g dough (73.94%).
- Strength Building (3/5 Stars at 74%): Apply 4 gentle folds every 30 min so 660g total flour develops supple backbone.
- Shaping & Crust Caramelization (1161g Loaf): Bench rest 25 min after +50% bulk rise, cold-proof 14 hrs at 38°F, and bake at 450°F (232°C).
Key Baker's Math Questions (Strict True Hydration Water: 428g)
How much water do I deduct for 120g starter in a 600g / 74% recipe?
Deduct 16g of water from the 444g apparent weight (pouring 428g main water instead) to offset the +2.4% surge (76.4%) from 120g starter (60gW/60gF).
Should I use slap-and-fold or coil folds for 600g flour at 74% (428g water)?
With 428g water (385g + 43g) and 120g starter on 600g flour (1161g batch, 3/5 tack), use 4 damp-hand coil folds 30 minutes apart to align the 660g flour network.
Why does unadjusted 444g water cause a +2.4% surge on 600g flour at 74%?
Because 74% is below 100% starter hydration, 120g starter (60gW / 60gF) raises 444g water to 504g over 660g flour (76.4%). Cutting 16g to 428g locks 73.94%.