Hydration × flour
95% Hydration Durum Semolina
Glass-like hollow crumb. The extreme of sourdough hydration. Traditional Pan de Cristal target.
Outside Durum Semolina's typical range (65–72%) — read below for handling
Is 95% hydration right for Durum Semolina?
Durum Semolina's workable hydration range is 65–72%. Its absorption multiplier is 1.02× bread flour. 95% is above Durum Semolina's typical range. The dough will be slack and may not hold shape in a free-form hearth loaf. Either reduce hydration to 72%, or blend Durum Semolina (40–60%) with bread flour for structural support.
Absorption math for Durum Semolina at 95%
A recipe written for bread flour at 95% hydration, when substituted with 100% Durum Semolina, becomes 97% effective hydration (because Durum Semolina absorbs 2% more water). Long autolyse (60+ min) — durum is slow to hydrate fully. Firm dough: 68-72% hydration max. Use coil folds rather than stretch-and-folds. Shape with wet hands. Excellent for pan di Altamura-style boule shaping.
Technique at 95% hydration
Only expert bakers attempt this reliably. Requires olive oil (5%) in dough, stand mixer to develop structure, oiled work surfaces, bench scrapers throughout. Cannot be free-form shaped.
Worked water math for a 500 g batch
| Durum Semolina | 500 g (100%) |
| Water | 475 g (95%) |
| 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 95% exactly.
What Durum Semolina gives you at 95%
At 95% 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.
Durum Semolina at 95% — FAQ
How much water do I use for Durum Semolina at 95% hydration?
Multiply the flour weight by 0.95. For a 500 g batch of Durum Semolina that's 475 g water, plus about 10 g salt (2%). Durum Semolina absorbs 1.02× as much water as white bread flour, so it behaves close to a straight bread-flour dough.
Is 95% hydration right for Durum Semolina?
95% is above Durum Semolina's usual 65–72% range — the dough will be slack and may spread. Reduce toward 72%, or blend Durum Semolina (40–60%) with bread flour for structure.
What crumb will Durum Semolina at 95% give me?
Expect a very open, glossy, holey crumb — the signature of a high-hydration hearth loaf. Glass-like hollow crumb. The extreme of sourdough hydration. Traditional Pan de Cristal target.
Is Durum Semolina at 95% 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 95%
Weights below assume 100% Durum Semolina. For blends, use the main calculator on a recipe page.
- Flour to add
- 450 g
- Water to add
- 425 g
- Salt
- 10 g
- Levain @ 100%
- 100 g
- Total dough
- 985 g
- Effective hydration
- 95%
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.
To bake this recipe you need
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The gear that makes the math work
A short, honest baking kit. The scale matters most — every weight on this page is in grams. The Dutch oven is what turns a good crumb into a great crust.
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Durum Semolina at every hydration level
Durum Semolina usually works between 65% and 72% 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.
| Hydration | Water per 500 g | For Durum Semolina |
|---|---|---|
| 55% | 275 g | Drier than usual |
| 60% | 300 g | Drier than usual |
| 65% | 325 g | In its range |
| 70% | 350 g | In its range |
| 72% | 360 g | In its range |
| 75% | 375 g | Wetter than usual |
| 78% | 390 g | Wetter than usual |
| 80% | 400 g | Wetter than usual |
| 82% | 410 g | Wetter than usual |
| 85% | 425 g | Wetter than usual |
| 90% | 450 g | Wetter than usual |
| 95%this page | 475 g | Wetter than usual |