Had a week where every batch of sourdough came out perfect

Last Tuesday through Saturday I baked 18 loaves and every single one had that ideal ear and crumb structure. I've been doing this for about 4 years and that never happens. Usually I get maybe 7 out of 10 that I'm happy with. The kitchen temp was sitting at 74 degrees steady and my starter was doubling in 5 hours flat. Has anyone else hit a random week where everything just clicks for no obvious reason?

3 comments

3 Comments

angelamurphy17d ago

Totally feel you on this one. Last fall I had a whole week where my starter was just this perfect bubbly beast and every loaf came out with that crackly, singing crust and an open crumb that looked like a honeycomb. I didn't change a thing - same flour, same water, same folding schedule. It was like the sourdough gods were just smiling down on my kitchen for a few days. Then the next week it was back to my usual 7 out of 10 and I was chasing that high for a month.

zarag1717d ago

Oh @angelamurphy, that perfect week is the sourdough equivalent of a lottery win, lol, I had one in March and my starter still acts like it never happened.

blairm7717d agoProlific Poster

Yes, "the sourdough gods were just smiling down on my kitchen" is exactly how I felt during my peak week too. I had this run back in February where every single loaf was a solid 9 out of 10 and I swear my starter smelled like fresh apples and honey instead of the usual sour tang. I was taking photos every day and sending them to my sister like I'd won some kind of baking championship. Then one morning I went to feed my starter and it just looked sad and flat, and that perfect crust turned into a tough, chewy mess. I spent the next three weeks trying to recreate whatever magic I had, using the same tap water and even the same brand of bread flour from the same bag, but nothing worked. It's honestly frustrating how much luck plays into this hobby, but I still keep hoping for another one of those perfect weeks to come around again.