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 (6575%)

Is 70% hydration right for Emmer Flour (Farro)?

Emmer Flour (Farro)'s workable hydration range is 6575%. 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.

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.

Open 70% hydration guide →

Sources: Jovial Foods — Emmer Flour specifications; Hamelman, Bread (3rd ed.); Robertson, Tartine Bread.