A sourdough ear is a vanity metric and I will die on this hill

Pretty loaf, right? Good crumb matters more to me, and that comes down to fermentation rather than scoring. I've seen flat, ugly loaves that tasted incredible.

That said, I'd also like my loaves to look like this one. I contain multitudes.

Photo: Agelaia, CC BY 4.0. Source

@junebug_ellis · Core contributor

Buzzing

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@priya_rao

My loaves are all flavor and no ear. I'm choosing to feel seen.

@kenji_mori

What's your hydration for an everyday loaf?

@junebug_ellis

Around 72%. Higher is fun, but only once you've got a feel for the dough.

@gwen_ashby

My starter has outlived two houseplants and a relationship.

@noor_haddad

Is it actually necessary to discard so much? It feels so wasteful.

@junebug_ellis

Keep a smaller starter and you'll throw away much less. Discard pancakes are also genuinely great.

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