85% Hydration Medium Rye Flour

Is 85% hydration right for Medium Rye Flour?

Medium Rye Flour's workable hydration range is 80–95%. Its absorption multiplier is 1.08× bread flour. At 85%, you are in the sweet spot — the dough will handle predictably and produce the crumb described above.

Absorption math for Medium Rye Flour at 85%

A recipe written for bread flour at 85% hydration, when substituted with 100% Medium Rye Flour, becomes 92% effective hydration (because Medium Rye Flour absorbs 8% more water). Do NOT knead rye dough (tears pentosan structure). Mix to incorporate, then rest. Very short bulk ferment (2-3 hours at 76°F) — rye ferments fast. Wet hands for shaping. Use a pan or tight banneton. Bake at higher initial temp (500°F) for 15 minutes, then reduce. Internal temp 205-210°F for doneness.

Technique at 85% hydration

Pan-baked or stretched on floured surface — not bannetoned or shaped. Requires high-protein bread flour (or rye's pentosan structure). Advanced technique territory.

Worked water math for a 500 g batch

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 85% exactly.

What Medium Rye Flour gives you at 85%

At 85% hydration you can expect a very open, glossy, holey crumb — the signature of a high-hydration hearth loaf. A very wet dough: minimal handling wins. Use wet hands and a bench scraper, coil or stitch folds only, a strong pre-shape, and a well-floured couche or banneton — this hydration rewards a light, confident touch and punishes over-working.

Medium Rye Flour at 85% — FAQ

Calculator pre-set to 85%

Weights below assume 100% Medium Rye Flour. For blends, use the main calculator on a recipe page.

Medium Rye Flour at every hydration level

Medium Rye Flour usually works between 80% and 95% hydration — drier gives a stiffer dough, wetter a slacker one. Tap a level for the technique, the absorption math and a calculator set to it.