Essential Items for Sourdough Bread Preparation
Baking sourdough bread at home can be a rewarding experience. Here's a list of recommended ingredients and equipment to help you get started on your sourdough journey.
Ingredients
- An active sourdough starter (about 100 grams or 1/4 to 1/2 cup) is essential as the natural leavening agent.
- Bread flour (around 400-500 grams or 3 1/2 to 4 cups) is best for gluten development and chewiness, although all-purpose flour can also be used in some recipes.
- Lukewarm water (usually in the range of 300-375 grams or about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups) is needed, adjusted to hydration preferences. Filtered or dechlorinated water is recommended.
- Unrefined sea salt (approximately 9-12 grams or 1.5 to 2.5 teaspoons) helps to strengthen protein bonds for effective rising and provides a base for flavour.
- Optional: rice flour for dusting during shaping and proofing.
A common recipe uses 100g active starter, 500g bread flour, 375g water, and 9-12g fine sea salt.
Equipment
- A digital kitchen scale is vital for precise measurement of ingredients.
- Mixing bowls (glass, metal, or stoneware) are necessary for mixing and fermenting dough.
- A bench scraper and dough scraper are useful for handling and scraping work surfaces and sticky dough.
- A Dutch oven or heavy lidded pot is essential for baking, as it creates steam and a crisp crust.
- A banneton (proofing basket) lined with a towel and dusted with flour supports dough during final proofing, preventing it from spreading too much.
- Flour sack towels are useful for covering dough while proofing.
- A lame or serrated knife is necessary for scoring bread.
- Proofing baskets and linens help maintain the shape of the bread during rising.
- Optional but helpful: a KitchenAid or stand mixer can ease kneading.
For those who are committed to baking their breads, a grain mill can be valuable for grinding their own flour and baking truly nutritious, whole grain breads.
Mason Jars can also be used as an alternative to a quart-sized jar for storing the sourdough. An established starter culture, while not essential, can give sourdough a boost and is beneficial for newcomers to sourdough. A white flour starter like the San Francisco Sourdough is recommended for beginners.
With these ingredients and tools, you'll be well on your way to baking a crusty loaf with an airy crumb at home. Happy baking!
