My sister told me my 'perfect' sourdough was just okay and it stung

I was visiting my sister in Denver last weekend and brought my usual sourdough loaf, the one I've been making for a year. I was proud of it, great oven spring, nice crust. She took a bite, chewed, and just said, 'It's good, Jess. A little dense though, isn't it?' She wasn't being mean, just honest. That one comment hit different because she's not a baker, she's just an eater. I'd been so focused on the look and the technique that I forgot the main point is how it feels in your mouth. My crumb was tight because I was scared of over-proofing. So I went home, let my next batch proof for a full 8 hours in a warm spot, and the texture was like a cloud. It was a total win. Has anyone else had a simple comment from a non-baker completely change their approach?

2 comments

2 Comments

davis.ivan11d ago

Wait, you were proofing for less than 8 hours before? That's wild, I would have been so scared to underproof. My place is cool and I have to leave mine overnight sometimes. It's crazy how one little honest bite can show you what you're missing, right? I get stuck in my own head about the rules and forget the whole point is to make something good to eat. Did you tell your sister she basically fixed your bread?

the_derek11d ago

My sister's bread fix was a total game changer.