Watch how time transforms dough during fermentation, developing flavors and creating the bubbles that give bread its texture. Learn to recognize perfect fermentation for consistently excellent bread.

You'll Need#

• 300g bread flour

• 195g water (65% hydration)

• 6g salt (2%)

• 3g instant yeast (1%)

• 2 clear containers (straight-sided if possible)

• Marker to mark dough levels

• Refrigerator

Quick Steps#

1. Mix Your Dough#

• Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth

• Develop the gluten until you can create a windowpane

• Divide into two equal portions (250g each)

2. Set Up Comparison#

• Place each dough ball in a container

• Mark the starting height on each container

• Mark another line at double the height (to track when doubled)

3. Create Different Conditions#

• Container A: Leave at room temperature (70-75°F/21-24°C)

• Container B: Place in refrigerator (38-40°F/3-4°C)

4. Observe Changes#

Check both containers at these intervals:

Container A (Room Temp):

• 30 minutes

• 1 hour

• 2 hours (likely doubled)

Container B (Refrigerator):

• 4 hours

• 8 hours

• 24 hours (may be doubled)

5. Compare Results#

Look for these differences:

• Volume: How much did each rise?

• Bubbles: Size and distribution of bubbles

• Aroma: Yeasty, fruity, sour, or complex?

• Texture: Poke both with a wet finger - does it spring back?

Success Looks Like#

• Room temp dough: Doubled in 1.5-2.5 hours, large bubbles, yeasty smell

• Cold dough: Doubled in 12-24 hours, smaller even bubbles, more complex aroma

Why It Works#

Temperature dramatically affects fermentation rate:

• Warm temperatures: Yeast works quickly but flavors have less time to develop

• Cold temperatures: Yeast works slowly, allowing bacterial activity to create complex flavors

Quick Tips#

• Take photos at each observation point

• Room temperature dough is ideal when you need bread the same day

• Cold fermentation creates more complex flavors but requires planning ahead

Apply This To Your Baking#

Use cold fermentation when you want exceptional flavor and need to fit baking into your schedule. Use room temperature fermentation when you need bread quickly.