
What Is Hydration in Sourdough? Percentages Made Simple
Confused by sourdough hydration percentages? Learn what hydration really means in plain English, how to calculate it, and the best level for beginners.
Jun 29, 2026 · 11 min read
Founder & Lead Recipe Writer
Hannah started baking sourdough at her kitchen table after years of pulling flat, gummy loaves out of the oven. She spent two winters feeding a temperamental starter she named after her grandmother before finally cracking the code on a reliable everyday loaf. These days she keeps three starters going on her counter and writes the beginner guides she wishes she'd had when she began — plain language, no percentages until you're ready, and a photo for every 'is this right?' moment. She's convinced anyone can bake a good loaf once someone shows them what the dough should actually look like.