Hydration × flour
70% Hydration Emmer Flour (Farro)
Medium cells with some larger bubbles. Noticeable holes appearing. Chewy, moist, balanced.
✓ Within Emmer Flour (Farro)'s workable range (65–75%)
Is 70% hydration right for Emmer Flour (Farro)?
Emmer Flour (Farro)'s workable hydration range is 65–75%. Its absorption multiplier is 0.95× bread flour. At 70%, you are in the sweet spot — the dough will handle predictably and produce the crumb described above.
Absorption math for Emmer Flour (Farro) at 70%
A recipe written for bread flour at 70% hydration, when substituted with 100% Emmer Flour (Farro), becomes 67% effective hydration (because Emmer Flour (Farro) absorbs 5% less water). Medium autolyse (30-45 min). 2-3 gentle stretch-and-folds. Moderately extended bulk (similar to bread flour). Emmer tolerates retarded proofing well. Pair with 20-30% bread flour for structure support in free-form hearth loaves.
Technique at 70% hydration
Dough becomes visibly softer and stickier. Use wet hands or bench scraper. Starts requiring more careful handling to avoid degassing. Autolyse 45-60 min helps develop structure.
Worked water math for a 500 g batch
| Emmer Flour (Farro) | 500 g (100%) |
| Water | 350 g (70%) |
| Salt | 10 g (2%) |
Add your levain on top of these weights; the calculator below subtracts the flour and water it already contributes so the bench numbers land at 70% exactly.
What Emmer Flour (Farro) gives you at 70%
At 70% hydration you can expect an open, custardy crumb with irregular holes and good chew. A medium dough: three to four sets of stretch-and-folds in the first two hours build the structure, and a light dusting of flour is enough for shaping. It handles predictably.
Emmer Flour (Farro) at 70% — FAQ
How much water do I use for Emmer Flour (Farro) at 70% hydration?
Multiply the flour weight by 0.7. For a 500 g batch of Emmer Flour (Farro) that's 350 g water, plus about 10 g salt (2%). Emmer Flour (Farro) absorbs 0.95× as much water as white bread flour, so it will feel a touch wetter than the 70% number suggests.
Is 70% hydration right for Emmer Flour (Farro)?
Yes — Emmer Flour (Farro)'s workable range is 65–75%, and 70% sits inside it, so the dough handles predictably and gives an open, custardy crumb with irregular holes and good chew.
What crumb will Emmer Flour (Farro) at 70% give me?
Expect an open, custardy crumb with irregular holes and good chew. Medium cells with some larger bubbles. Noticeable holes appearing. Chewy, moist, balanced.
Is Emmer Flour (Farro) at 70% beginner-friendly?
This hydration is rated intermediate. A medium dough: three to four sets of stretch-and-folds in the first two hours build the structure, and a light dusting of flour is enough for shaping. It handles predictably.
Calculator pre-set to 70%
Weights below assume 100% Emmer Flour (Farro). For blends, use the main calculator on a recipe page.
- Flour to add
- 450 g
- Water to add
- 300 g
- Salt
- 10 g
- Levain @ 100%
- 100 g
- Total dough
- 860 g
- Effective hydration
- 70%
How the math works
Total water = flour × hydration %. Your levain contributes 50 g flour + 50 g water — both count toward the totals. You add only the remainder as fresh flour and water.
Salt % is computed on total flour weight, not final-dough flour.