Flour reference · ancient grain

Khorasan (Kamut) Flour

0.970× absorption · 13.5015.00% protein · hydration 6070%

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Protein
13.50–15.00%
Absorption
0.970×
Hydration range
60–70%
Category
ancient-grain

About Khorasan (Kamut) Flour

Khorasan (trademarked as Kamut when certified organic) is an ancient wheat variety with kernels roughly 2x the size of modern wheat. High protein (13.5-15%) and distinctive buttery-nutty flavor. Absorption is 3% less than bread flour. Popular in Pacific Northwest sourdough scene — Central Milling and Kamut International's Montana-grown grain are the US reference sources. Use at 25-50% in blends; supports hydration up to 70%. People with modern-wheat sensitivities often tolerate khorasan (not celiac-safe).

Technique

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.

Hydration guide for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour

Baker's-percentage workable range: 60% — 70%. Absorption is 0.970× bread-flour baseline, so recipes written for bread flour need 3% less water when substituting Khorasan (Kamut) Flour.

Full hydration guide for Khorasan (Kamut) Flour

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.

  • Digital kitchen scale (0.1 g)

    Baker's percentage is by weight, not volume — a 0.1 g scale is what makes the math on this page accurate.

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  • Dutch oven / combo cooker

    Traps steam for the first bake phase — the single biggest factor in oven spring and a blistered, glossy crust.

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  • Banneton proofing basket

    Wicks moisture and holds shape during the final proof, so high-hydration dough doesn't spread flat.

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  • Bread lame + bench scraper

    A sharp lame scores clean ears; a steel bench scraper handles wet, sticky dough without tearing the gluten.

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  • High-protein bread flour

    The math assumes ~12–14% protein. Real bread flour absorbs the hydration you calculate — all-purpose won't.

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  • Danish dough whisk

    Mixes shaggy, high-hydration dough in seconds without the gluey mess of a spoon or your hands.

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🎧 Or learn the craft by ear

The numbers here are the what; a good baking book is the why. An Audible trial gets you any title free — Michael Pollan’s Cooked(the “Air” chapter is the best story ever told about why bread rises) is a perfect first listen.

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