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I also bake sourdough. In my case, I took a class for it a few years ago which helped me a lot to nail down the basics. I wouldn't say it's easy to get right.

I also bake sourdough. In my case, I took a class for it a few years ago which helped me a lot to nail down the basics. I wouldn't say it's easy to get right. It requires a fair amount of trial and error to get your equipment, setup and recipes dialed in. One factor that confounds me a lot is the temperature during bulk ferment and proofing. It's like temperature is an ingredient. My house as a lot of variation in temperature... I think I need to get a proofing chamber. My favorite resource is https://www.theperfectloaf.com/ https://www.theperfectloaf.com/. He's a software engineer in his day job, but he has a beautiful blog where he gives somewhat obsessively detailed recipes for sourdough. The recipes are practical and achievable by a home baker.

alex_duf 7y ago
One beautiful thing with baking sourdough is that even if you don't get it right, it will still be very good bread. I think people tend to be discouraged by how difficult it might be but fail to realise even "failing" is still producing something edible and tasteful.
- Doxin 7y ago
  The one thing -- in my experience -- that you absolutely should not forget to add is salt. Bread with no salt just tastes off. The good news is that the amount of salt isn't all that critical, anywhere from a pinch to a spoonful will result in something at least vaguely edible.
jhrmnn 7y ago
Sure, not as easy as making an omelette, but considering there is a whole traditional profession devoted to making bread, which can feel intimidating, I would still consider it relatively easy.
- crispyambulance 7y ago
  OK, "relatively" easy compared to other hobbies, I agree. The challenge comes when you see what artisan bakers can achieve. It's one of those things where your taste can utterly outgrow your skills. This is definitely a "forever" hobby where one can always find ways to improve and find new dimensions to explore.

alex_duf 7y ago

One beautiful thing with baking sourdough is that even if you don't get it right, it will still be very good bread. I think people tend to be discouraged by how difficult it might be but fail to realise even "failing" is still producing something edible and tasteful.

Doxin 7y ago
The one thing -- in my experience -- that you absolutely should not forget to add is salt. Bread with no salt just tastes off. The good news is that the amount of salt isn't all that critical, anywhere from a pinch to a spoonful will result in something at least vaguely edible.

jhrmnn 7y ago

Sure, not as easy as making an omelette, but considering there is a whole traditional profession devoted to making bread, which can feel intimidating, I would still consider it relatively easy.

crispyambulance 7y ago
OK, "relatively" easy compared to other hobbies, I agree. The challenge comes when you see what artisan bakers can achieve. It's one of those things where your taste can utterly outgrow your skills. This is definitely a "forever" hobby where one can always find ways to improve and find new dimensions to explore.