Hydration × flour

90% Hydration Khorasan (Kamut) Flour

Near-liquid dough territory. Extremely open, almost hollow crumb. Produces 'glass bread' effect.

⚠ Outside Khorasan (Kamut) Flour's typical range (6070%) — read below for handling

Is 90% hydration right for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour?

Khorasan (Kamut) Flour's workable hydration range is 6070%. Its absorption multiplier is 0.97× bread flour. 90% is above Khorasan (Kamut) Flour's typical range. The dough will be slack and may not hold shape in a free-form hearth loaf. Either reduce hydration to 70%, or blend Khorasan (Kamut) Flour (40–60%) with bread flour for structural support.

Absorption math for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour at 90%

A recipe written for bread flour at 90% hydration, when substituted with 100% Khorasan (Kamut) Flour, becomes 87% effective hydration (because Khorasan (Kamut) Flour absorbs 3% less water). Medium autolyse (30-45 min). 3 stretch-and-folds max. Similar handling to emmer. Pairs beautifully with whole wheat at 50/50 ratio for depth without density.

Technique at 90% hydration

Dough handling requires constant wet hands, bench scrapers, and oiled surfaces. Include 5% olive oil for lubrication. Pan-baked only. Expert-level technique.

Worked water math for a 500 g batch

Khorasan (Kamut) Flour ingredient weights for 500 g flour at 90% hydration
Khorasan (Kamut) Flour500 g (100%)
Water450 g (90%)
Salt10 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 90% exactly.

What Khorasan (Kamut) Flour gives you at 90%

At 90% 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.

Khorasan (Kamut) Flour at 90% — FAQ

How much water do I use for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour at 90% hydration?

Multiply the flour weight by 0.9. For a 500 g batch of Khorasan (Kamut) Flour that's 450 g water, plus about 10 g salt (2%). Khorasan (Kamut) Flour absorbs 0.97× as much water as white bread flour, so it will feel a touch wetter than the 90% number suggests.

Is 90% hydration right for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour?

90% is above Khorasan (Kamut) Flour's usual 60–70% range — the dough will be slack and may spread. Reduce toward 70%, or blend Khorasan (Kamut) Flour (40–60%) with bread flour for structure.

What crumb will Khorasan (Kamut) Flour at 90% give me?

Expect a very open, glossy, holey crumb — the signature of a high-hydration hearth loaf. Near-liquid dough territory. Extremely open, almost hollow crumb. Produces 'glass bread' effect.

Is Khorasan (Kamut) Flour at 90% beginner-friendly?

This hydration is rated expert. 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.

Calculator pre-set to 90%

Weights below assume 100% Khorasan (Kamut) Flour. For blends, use the main calculator on a recipe page.

Flour to add
450 g
Water to add
400 g
Salt
10 g
Levain @ 100%
100 g
Total dough
960 g
Effective hydration
90%
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 90% hydration guide →

Sources: Kamut International — Khorasan wheat specifications; Hamelman, Bread (3rd ed.); Robertson, Tartine Bread.