What Is A Biga?
Biga (pronounced bee-gah) is an Italian secret weapon in the arsenal of artisan bakers. This pre-fermentation technique, also known as pâte fermentée in France, involves creating a small dough starter with a long, slow fermentation.
Servings: 1 starter
Calories: 475kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Water (cool or room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon Instant yeast
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and yeast until a shaggy dough forms.1 cup All-purpose flour, ½ cup Water, ½ teaspoon Instant yeast
- Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature (around 70°F/21°C) for at least 12 hours, but preferably 16-18 hours.
- During this time, the biga will rise slightly, become bubbly, and develop a slightly sour aroma.
- It's ready to be used in your bread recipe. You can use it immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use cool or room temperature water for optimal yeast activity.
- Ensure your bowl is large enough to allow the biga to double in size during fermentation.
- The fermentation time can vary depending on room temperature. The biga is ready when it has doubled in size and is full of bubbles.
Nutrition
Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 6mg