Why Your Sourdough Feels Different in Summer

If your sourdough has felt a little different lately, you’re not imagining it.

Summer changes everything.

Warmer temperatures speed up fermentation, which means your dough may:

• Rise faster

• Feel softer or stickier

• Overproof more easily if you’re not watching closely

This is one of the biggest shifts new bakers run into—and it can feel frustrating at first.

But once you understand what’s happening, it actually becomes easier to work with.

A few simple adjustments:
✔ Shorten bulk fermentation slightly
✔ Use cooler water when mixing
✔ Keep a closer eye on your dough instead of the clock

Sourdough is always responding to its environment—and learning to adjust with the seasons is where real confidence begins.

🌾 If you’ve ever felt unsure reading your dough, this is one of the biggest things we walk through together in class.