The Complete Guide to Understanding and Using Preferments in Pizza Dough

Preferments are a fantastic tool that can enhance the flavor and texture of our pizza dough, making them a technique every baker should have in their arsenal. In this article, we’ll explore what a preferment is, how it affects the dough, its advantages and disadvantages, the common types of preferments, and how to prepare and use them effectively

Preferments – Introduction

If you’re into baking (which is a reasonable assumption since you’re reading this blog), you’ve probably come across the terms “poolish” or “biga” at least once, and maybe you’ve even made a dough that includes one of them. Preferments are wonderful, but they can also be complex and confusing.

So, before you rush to make one, it’s important to understand why and when to use them (if at all), the reasons for using them, their effects on the dough and the final product, and, of course, how to prepare them correctly.

This article will provide you with all the necessary information about preferments, which I believe are an essential tool in the arsenal of every baker.

What Is a Preferment

A preferment is a dough that is prepared and fermented in advance before being added to the final dough (hence the name preferment). It typically consists of a portion of water and flour from the recipe, along with a small amount of yeast. It is usually left to ferment for 6-24 hours at room temperature before being incorporated into the final dough.

There are two main types of preferments: poolish, which is a “liquid” preferment originating in France, and biga, which is a “stiff” preferment originating in Italy. Both poolish and biga achieve similar results and can be used interchangeably, but their preparation process and effects on the dough differ slightly, which we will discuss in more detail later.

What Is the Purpose of Using a Preferment

Using preferment serves two main purposes or has two main effects:

1. Adding flavor to the final dough.
2. Affecting the texture of the final product.

Both of these purposes are achieved through the acidity that the preferment introduces to the final dough (more on this will be discussed later on).

The main reason for using a preferment is to enhance the flavor of the baked good. As we will explore later, a properly made preferment provides an ideal environment for the activity of lactic acid bacteria; Lactic acid bacteria have a significant impact on the flavor development in preferments, as well as in sourdough or direct doughs that undergo a long fermentation at room temperature, and they are the main contributors to the unique flavor that preferments add to the dough.

This ‘ideal environment’ in preferments (consisting of flour, water, a small amount of yeast, and long room temperature fermentation) allows the lactic acid bacteria to thrive optimally, which is not possible in a short fermented direct dough. As a result, this leads to the development of more complex and pronounced flavors.

Preferments are especially useful when making a final dough that will undergo a relatively short fermentation period. By using preferment, we can achieve a final dough that has undergone a shorter fermentation time but still possesses the deep flavors typically associated with dough that has fermented for a much longer period. Essentially, using preferment allows us to ferment the final dough for a shorter time while still obtaining the rich(er) flavor profile of a long-fermented dough.

The extent and impact of flavor development naturally depends on the type of preferment, its fermentation method, and the amount incorporated into the final dough. Generally, the more preferment used, the more pronounced the flavor effects will be. However, in the case of a final dough intended for a long fermentation, the preferment’s contribution to the flavor might become less prominent. In other words, the longer the final dough ferments, the less influence the preferment will have on the flavor, though it will still be present.

Later in this article, we will explore the processes that preferment undergoes and discuss how they affect the flavor and texture of the final product.

Basic Principles of Preferment

The basic principles for the preparation and use of any preferment are as follows:

• A preferment is made up of a portion of the total amount of water and flour in the recipe. The water and flour in the preferment are mixed with yeast and left to ferment. The preferment is then added to the final dough, along with the remaining water and flour in the recipe, as well as the rest of the dough ingredients.
• A preferment consists of only flour, water, and yeast (without sugar/salt – see the next section). The amount of flour and water needed depends on the type and desired amount of preferment. In the following sections, you will find preparation instructions for each type of preferment, as well as guidelines for calculating the necessary quantities.
• The amount of yeast used in a preferment is always minimal, and ideally, it should be adjusted according to the temperature and fermentation duration of the preferment.
• To optimize the activity of lactic acid bacteria and enhance the influence of the preferment on the taste and texture of the final dough, it is recommended to ferment the preferment at room temperature.
• Preferment should be used when it is fully ripe and at its peak. While using a preferment that has not yet reached its peak will not harm the dough, using one that has passed its peak may negatively impact the final dough. Later, we will discuss how to assess the ‘maturity’ of a preferment.
• The fermentation duration of the preferment is not considered part of the fermentation duration of the final dough. For example, if we have a preferment that was fermented for 10 hours and we add it to a final dough that is fermented for two hours, we would consider the final dough as having been fermented for two hours, not 12 hours. In this context, a preferment is treated as a separate “entity”.
• PizzaBlab’s pizza dough calculator offers an easy and convenient way to calculate the required amounts of preferment in a recipe.

Do Salt and Sugar Belong in a Preferment?

Salt

Salt slows down the activity of yeast and bacteria, as well as the enzymatic activity in dough. Without salt, the yeast and bacteria become more active and produce more organic acids, leading to greater acidification of the dough over the same time period. While there are some specific cases where salt is added to the preferment, such as certain types of sponges, in most cases, salt is not needed.

In conclusion, salt does not belong in a preferment.

Sugar (Any Type of Sugar, Including Honey)

Adding sugar to the preferment will provide the yeast with more food and increase their activity. This increased yeast activity in the preferment will have two main effects:

1. It will disrupt the balance between the activity of the bacteria and the yeast. Yeast is much more efficient at consuming sugar than lactic acid bacteria, regardless of temperature, including (and especially) during cold fermentation. Therefore, adding sugar will significantly prioritize yeast activity.
2. With increased yeast activity, more protease enzymes will be produced. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down the gluten in the dough. In other words, higher yeast activity will lead to faster gluten breakdown, resulting in shorter fermentation time before over-fermentation occurs.

As you can see, these two effects oppose the desired outcomes in a preferment, making them undesirable.

In summary, in this case as well, sugar does not belong in a preferment.

How to Calculate Preferment in a Recipe (Understanding ‘X Percent of Preferment’)

The amount (or percentage) of preferment in a recipe is determined by the proportion of flour in the preferment compared to the total amount of flour in the recipe. The term ‘percentage of preferment’ describes the relative amount of flour in the preferment, calculated using baker’s percentages. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it is recommended that you read about it in the Encyclopizza in the link above.

Let’s use a recipe that contains a total of 500g of flour as an example.
We want to use 30% preferment.

0.3 * 500 = 150

This means that to use 30% preferment in this recipe, we will make a preferment consisting of 150g of flour, which is 30% of the total flour in the recipe. For the final dough, we add the remaining 350g of flour.

And of course, it also works the other way around. If we have a preferment that contains a certain amount of flour and we want to determine the quantity (percentage) of preferment in the recipe, we calculate the proportionate amount of the preferment’s flour compared to the total amount of flour in the recipe.

Let’s use a recipe that contains 700g of flour and a preferment that contains 100g of flour as an example.

700 / 100 = 0.14

This means that this recipe contains 14% preferment, which is 100 grams of flour. For the final dough, we add the remaining 600g of flour.

What Percentage of Preferment Should I Use?

In general, the typical range for preferment percentage in both pizza and other baked goods is between 10% and 30%. The greater the amount of preferment used, the more pronounced its effects on the final dough will be.

The Advantages of Preferment and How It Affects the Dough and the Final Product

During the fermentation process, gases (CO2), alcohol, and organic acids are produced in the dough. In the context of preferments, we are particularly interested in the production of acids, specifically lactic and acetic acid, which are both byproducts of the activity of lactic acid bacteria.

The production of gases during fermentation is not significant or important in preferment because the preferment is not baked; Therefore, preferment does not need to accumulate CO2, unlike the final dough where the CO2 is “trapped” in the gluten network, causing the dough to increase in volume.

During fermentation, the alcohol chemically combines with acids in the dough, resulting in the formation of esters. Esters are organic compounds that contribute to the flavor and aroma of the dough and play a significant role in the flavor profile of the final product.

As we will see, the acids produced during fermentation play the most important role in preferment and have two main effects:

1. They directly and indirectly contribute to the flavor profile (“flavor production”).
2. They lower the pH of the dough, acidifying it (making it more acidic).

The Production of Acids and the Acidification of the Dough

As previously mentioned, the main objective of preferment is the production of acids. These acids are produced during fermentation, and have two main effects on the dough and the final product:

1. Flavor impact – The organic acids, specifically lactic acid and acetic acid produced during fermentation, play a significant role in shaping the flavor profile of the baked product (as we will discuss in the next section).
2. Dough strengthening – The acidity of the preferment causes the gluten-forming proteins to tighten, resulting in a dough with higher elasticity and overall strength.

Besides the flavor aspect, it is important to emphasize the significance of strengthening the dough. Using a preferment allows for achieving a stronger dough, which is particularly beneficial when working with relatively weaker flour or aiming to enhance the dough’s strength.

Historically, Italians have used biga (and sourdough) to strengthen their weaker doughs, which result from the use of weak Italian flour. For more information on this topic, please refer to the following article: Is Italian Flour Essential for Making Pizza? Everything You Need to Know about Italian Flour.

In general, the acidity of the preferment (and, consequently, the final dough) is influenced by the hydration level of the preferment. The lower the hydration (or the more “stiff” it is), the less acidic the preferment will be and the less it will acidify the final dough. For example, a biga (45% hydration) will be less acidic compared to a poolish (100% hydration).

Here are some general acidity ranges for each type of preferment (note that the final acidity can vary depending on various factors, such as the fermentation method and duration for both the preferment and the final dough):

• The pH level of a poolish and a dough that contains a poolish is between 4.5 and 5.0.
• The pH level of a biga and a dough that contains a biga is between 5.0 and 5.5.
• The pH level of sourdough and a dough that contains sourdough is between 3.5 and 4.5.
• The pH level of dough without any preferment (direct dough) is between 5.0 and 6.0.

Naturally, the longer we allow the preferment (and the final dough) to ferment, the more acids will be produced, resulting in a higher final acidity.

Effect on Flavor

As mentioned previously, the main purpose of using preferment is to enhance the flavor of the baked good. A significant portion of this flavor comes from the byproducts of the lactic acid bacteria found in the preferment.

Acetic acid adds a sharp flavor and aroma, similar to vinegar or lemon, while lactic acid provides a milder flavor and aroma, similar to yogurt.

When using baker’s yeast (i.e., not sourdough), the activity of lactic acid bacteria is much lower compared to the yeast. In fact, in a dough made with baker’s yeast, there are between 10,000-100,000 yeast cells for every lactic acid bacteria. Therefore, the best way to achieve sufficient lactic acid bacteria activity in the dough is to allow them to work for a longer time by minimizing the amount of yeast and doing long fermentation – and this is exactly what we aim to accomplish with a preferment.

The interaction between the byproducts of lactic acid bacteria and yeast, particularly the chemical interaction between alcohol and acids, leads to the formation of aromatic compounds. These compounds give the preferment its unique flavors, which are then added to the final dough.

The Effect of Fermentation Method on Flavor Profile (Cold Fermentation vs. Room Temperature Fermentation)

For a thorough comparison between cold fermentation and room temperature fermentation, please refer to the following article: Cold vs. Room Temperature Pizza Dough Fermentation: Which Method is Best?.

Now, let’s focus on the key points to consider when it comes to preferments:

• Lactic acid bacteria are much less active during cold fermentation, especially when compared to yeast. In other words, cold fermentation favors yeast activity over lactic acid bacteria activity, which is exactly the opposite of what we want in preferment.
• The balance between acetic acid and lactic acid production depends on the fermentation temperature. During cold fermentation (around 4°C/40°F), there is a greater production of acetic acid than lactic acid, which affects the flavor profile.
• Dough that is fermented in the fridge undergoes maturation and fermentation processes that are 4-8 times slower compared to dough fermented at room temperature. As a result, the dough takes longer to acidify (acid production is slower), and the creation of aromatic compounds in the dough, which contribute to flavor, is also slower.

In summary, fermenting preferment in the fridge has two effects:

1. The dough matures and develops flavors 4-8 times slower compared to room temperature fermentation. Consequently, a longer fermentation time is required to achieve the same level of dough maturation in terms of acidity and flavor development.
2. The flavor profile of preferment fermented in the fridge will be significantly different, leaning towards more acetic acid, resulting in a more sour taste similar to vinegar or lemon. This is not necessarily a bad thing (taste is subjective), but it should be taken into consideration.

Therefore, to maximize the benefits of preferment in terms of taste and texture, it is advisable to ferment it at room temperature rather than in the fridge. This doesn’t mean that fermenting preferment in the fridge is not possible, but it is less recommended if you want to maximize its benefits.

The Effect of Type of Preferment on Flavor Profile (Stiff vs. Liquid)

In general, the production of acetic acid increases as the preferment becomes “stiffer” (i.e., has a lower hydration), while the production of lactic acid increases as the preferment becomes more “liquid” (i.e., has a higher hydration). For instance, a biga, which has a hydration of 45%, will result in a more pronounced sour flavor, whereas a poolish (100% hydration) will yield a milder flavor.

Effect on Texture

The use of preferment also affects the texture of the final product due to the acidity it adds to the final dough.

In addition to strengthening the gluten, the effect of preferment on texture depends on the type of preferment used.

A liquid preferment, such as poolish, has high enzymatic activity due to its high hydration. Specifically, it has a high activity of protease enzymes, which break down gluten. As a result, a liquid preferment gives a more extensible dough, resulting in:

• A softer dough that stretches more easily
• Bigger volume with a more open, airy crumb structure
• Softer crumb.

On the other hand, a stiff preferment has less protease enzyme activity and therefore undergoes less gluten breakdown. In other words, a stiff preferment produces a dough that is more elastic and strong compared to a liquid preferment. The result is:

• A more resistant dough
• A denser, more compact crumb structure
• A firmer and chewier crumb

(Note that the above is relative. It does not mean that the texture provided by a stiff preferment will be dense; rather, it will be denser compared to a liquid preferment or direct dough. It is possible to achieve an airy, soft crumb with a stiff preferment, but when compared to using a liquid preferment or direct dough, the result will be a more elastic dough with the aforementioned characteristics).

The Effect of Fermentation Method on Texture (Cold Fermentation vs. Room Temperature Fermentation)

In addition to the type of preferment, the method of fermentation (cold/room temperature fermentation) also affects the texture. Generally, acetic acid tightens the gluten more compared to lactic acid, and creates a more elastic dough, resulting in a harder and chewier crumb compared to lactic acid.

As mentioned earlier, fermenting at lower temperatures (below 20°C/68°F) leads to more acetic acid production, while fermenting at higher temperatures (above 20°C/68°F) leads to more lactic acid production. Therefore, cold fermentation prioritizes the production of acetic acid, resulting in a more elastic dough compared to room temperature fermentation, along with the aforementioned effects.

Improved Shelf Life

This is less relevant for pizza, which is eaten immediately out of the oven, but it is most relevant for baking bread and other baked goods.

Higher acidity in the dough inhibits the growth of microorganisms that lead to spoilage of the baked product. Consequently, incorporating a preferment when baking bread extends the shelf life of the bread, due to their higher acidity. This is why sourdough breads (and doughs that include any type of preferment) have a longer shelf life compared to breads made with direct dough.

The ‘Disadvantages’ of Preferment

The Importance of Using Preferment at the Right Time

It is crucial to use the preferment (i.e., add it to the final dough) when it has reached its peak fermentation point and before it becomes over-fermented.

A preferment that has over-fermented and passed its peak may do more harm than good to the final dough:

• Excessive acidity can damage the gluten structure and affect the flavor.
• In the case of a liquid preferment like poolish, where the gluten breaks down during fermentation, too much breakdown of gluten in the preferment will introduce degraded gluten into the final dough.

These factors will have a significant impact on the final dough, making it harder to work with (liquid consistency, sticky, and difficult to handle) and affecting the end product (limited oven spring and a less satisfactory overall outcome).

Therefore, using the preferment at the right time, preferably when it is at its peak, is extremely important and one of the biggest challenges when working with a preferment. In the following sections, we will see how to determine if the preferment is ready to be used.

Adding Steps and Complicating the Dough-Making Process

Using a preferment adds an extra step to the dough-making process and also requires careful timing and monitoring to incorporate it into the final dough when it is ripe and ready.

Since a preferment is ideally fermented at room temperature, it is necessary to plan the schedule ahead so that the preferment reaches its peak when we start making the final dough. This involves determining the time to prepare the preferment, considering its required fermentation duration, and scheduling the start of the final dough accordingly.

As you can see, this process adds extra steps to the dough-making process and involves additional work that typically spans multiple days.

Reduced Browning

What is important to know in the context of browning and preferment is the impact of acidity on the browning process during baking.

The main contributor to browning in dough during baking is the Maillard reaction. In a more acidic environment, the Maillard reaction occurs at a slower rate.

To put it simply, preferments add acidity to the final dough, which slows down the browning process. As a result, achieving the same level of browning as a direct dough would require either a longer baking time or a higher baking temperature. For example, if we compare two identical doughs that are baked in the same way, the dough made with a preferment will have less browning compared to the dough made without a preferment. This is also why sourdough breads appear lighter in color compared to regular breads when both are baked for the same amount of time and at the same temperature.

To address the issue of reduced browning, it is possible to add 1-2% sugar or diastatic malt powder to the final dough.

Types of Preferments

Poolish

Poolish is a liquid preferment that contains equal amounts of flour and water, for example, 100g of flour and 100g of water (100% hydration).

Poolish is one of the first types of preferments made with baker’s yeast. As its name suggests, poolish was originally “invented” by Polish bakers in the late 19th century and later adopted in Austria and France. Breads baked with poolish had a less acidic taste compared to sourdough breads of that time and quickly gained popularity. The “poolish method” became widely used by bakers as baker’s yeast became more common and readily available.

Technically, poolish can be seen as something between sourdough and a direct dough made with baker’s yeast. Interestingly, even today in Paris, you can find bakeries with two signs on the front: one reading “Pain Viennois,” meaning bread from Vienna (made with baker’s yeast), and the other reading “Pain Français,” meaning bread from France (made with sourdough).

Poolish is fermented at room temperature for 6-14 hours. As a liquid preferment, poolish is less “forgiving” than biga and requires more precision and attention to timing.

An under-fermented poolish will not provide the desired acidity to the final dough.

In an over-fermented poolish, there will be excessive gluten breakdown, resulting in weak and sticky dough and affecting the final product.
It is highly recommended to avoid over-fermentation with poolish, as it can have significant effects on the final dough, depending on the amount of poolish used and its condition.

A fully ripe poolish will at least double in volume, forming a “dome” with small air bubbles on the surface. It will have a mild, slightly alcoholic smell, similar to yogurt.

A poolish that is past its peak will collapse in the center, leaving poolish “smear marks” on the sides of the container.

Making a poolish is simple – just mix water, flour, and yeast and let it ferment. Adding it to the final dough is also straightforward – simply add the poolish to the other dough ingredients and continue mixing as usual.

A poolish will impart a mildly acidic and subtly yogurty flavor to the final dough.

Detailed preparation instructions for poolish will be provided later in the article.

Biga

Biga is a stiff preferment that originated in Italy. In Italian, ‘biga’ literally means “preferment”.

Biga is made with a very low hydration level (traditionally 45% hydration), resulting in a very stiff consistency. It is traditionally fermented at room temperature for 12-24 hours at 16-18°C/60-64°F.

The fermentation conditions and composition of biga are what give it its unique characteristics. These characteristics include slowing down protease enzyme activity to minimize gluten breakdown during fermentation and prioritizing the production of acetic acid. As a result, biga greatly strengthens the final dough, which was its original, historical purpose.

Today, with the availability of stronger flours compared to those used by Italian bakers in the past, it is important to use biga “carefully” to prevent an overly elastic dough with a tough, chewy crumb texture. Biga is particularly effective when used in doughs with high hydration, such as ciabatta, or in modern Neapolitan/Canotto-style pizza.

Compared to poolish, biga is a more forgiving preferment in terms of fermentation, offering a wider window of usability. This is mainly due to its slower fermentation process (including slower acid production) and less gluten breakdown. In other words, biga is less likely to over-ferment compared to poolish.
Nevertheless, using an over-fermented biga is not recommended.

A well-prepared and ready-to-use biga will consist of many biga “chunks” that have slightly expanded during fermentation (depending on the amount of biga and the size of the container, the biga can also form a cohesive “biga block”).

The preparation and incorporation of biga into the final dough are more complex than with poolish, requiring careful mixing to create the desired biga “chunks” (to ensure proper hydration of the flour and prevent excessive gluten development). Given its stiff consistency, incorporating the biga into the final dough without a mixer can be challenging, so it is less recommended using biga when kneading by hand.

Compared to poolish, a biga will impart a sharper, more acidic, and vinegary flavor to the dough.

Detailed preparation instructions for biga will be provided later in the article.

Sponge

Sponge is a versatile preferment that falls between the stiff biga and the liquid poolish, with a hydration level ranging from 50-80%. The name “sponge” comes from its appearance when cut, resembling a sponge in texture.

Originally, sponge was mainly used in the bread industry in England. Today, (stiff) sponge is primarily used for sweet pastries. The dough for sweet pastries is often weak due to the use of weak pastry flour and other ingredients that weaken the gluten structure, such as fats and sugar; Therefore, using a sponge adds some strength to the final dough (less than a biga but more than a poolish).

Another use of sponge is to create a liquid sponge with a relatively short fermentation time, usually a few hours. This helps to add extensibility to the final dough by breaking down the gluten during the fermentation of the sponge.

The fermentation process for a sponge is similar to that of a poolish or biga, with no “standard” duration – it can be fermented for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours. In terms of characteristics, the sponge falls between a poolish and a biga, adding flavor, texture, and strength to the final dough at a level between them, depending on its composition.

Making a sponge is similar to making a poolish, by mixing flour, water, and yeast until a dough/batter is formed, depending on the hydration of the sponge. Unlike a biga, there is no need to create “chunks” in the sponge since creating strength in the final dough is not the primary goal. The creation of “chunks” in a biga is intended to limit gluten development, which is desirable in a biga, but not necessary in a sponge.

It is also possible to make a “biga sponge” by using a low hydration (45%) with “normal” mixing and without creating “biga chunks.” The result will be slightly different than a traditional biga, obviously.

While sponge is less commonly known and used in pizza dough, it is worth considering. It works great, so feel free to experiment with it.

Old Dough (Pâte Fermentée)

Old dough (Pâte Fermentée) is exactly what it sounds like – it’s “regular” dough that has “aged” and is added to a new dough as a preferment.

Using old dough is highly practical when there are leftovers from a previous batch of dough that you don’t want to waste. Instead of throwing it away, you can incorporate the old dough into the final dough as a type of preferment. This is particularly relevant in a commercial setting where fresh dough is made daily and leftovers are common, but it can also be beneficial for home baking.

The main advantage of utilizing old dough is, naturally, the ability to repurpose leftover dough instead of discarding it. However, there is a disadvantage to using old dough as it may yield inconsistent results. This is because the fermentation process and the timing of its use can vary from day to day and from batch to batch.

Old dough will affect the taste and texture of the final product, but in a different way and to a lesser extent than using poolish or biga. Generally, old dough will contribute less flavor to the dough compared to poolish or biga, and its effect on the texture will also be less noticeable, depending on the condition of the gluten present in the old dough.

What Is the Difference Between Poolish and Biga?

So what are the differences between poolish and biga in practice?

Technically, a dough made with biga will be less acidic (higher pH) and have a sharper and more pronounced vinegar-like flavor (thanks to a higher concentration of acetic acid), as well as stronger and more elastic gluten.
A properly made biga will significantly strengthen the final dough and may result in a tougher, chewier crumb.

On the other hand, a dough made with poolish will be more acidic (lower pH), have a milder yogurt-like flavor (due to a higher concentration of lactic acid), and have more extensible gluten. A properly made poolish will increase the extensibility of the final dough and also strengthen the gluten bonds (although to a lesser extent compared to biga).

Both poolish and biga contribute to increasing the volume of the baked product by strengthening the gluten. A stronger gluten can better maintain its structure and retain gases during fermentation and baking, resulting in a larger overall volume. However, poolish adds extensibility to the dough, allowing for more stretching during baking. As a result, dough made with poolish yields a larger volume and a more open crumb structure compared to biga.

In terms of crumb structure, dough made with biga often exhibits large and irregular “air pockets” due to the elastic gluten’s ability to trap gases and expand without tearing. This leads to the formation of larger and fewer air pockets.

Conversely, dough made with poolish typically has smaller and more uniform air pockets. The superior stretching ability of the gluten in poolish allows for a more even distribution of gases, resulting in many small air pockets instead of larger and fewer ones.

In terms of eating characteristics, dough made with biga produces a tougher and chewier crumb, whereas dough made with poolish produces a softer crumb.

It is worth considering that the preparation of poolish and its incorporation into the final dough are much simpler compared to biga, but poolish has a smaller usability window, meaning more precision is required in timing its use. On the other hand, both the preparation and incorporation of biga into the final dough are more demanding, but biga has a larger usability window, meaning less precision is required in timing its use.

When kneading by hand, it is recommended to use poolish instead of biga because adding biga to the final dough without a mixer is neither easy nor enjoyable.

Below is a table summarizing the differences between poolish and biga:

It is worth mentioning that, in practice, there may not be a significant difference between the texture and taste of the final product when using dough made with biga or dough made with poolish. Therefore, the choice of which preferment to use is entirely up to you. Personally, I prefer to use poolish because I find that the extra effort required for biga is not justified by the slight difference in the final product.

Biga and Poolish in Pizza Dough

It is important to note that in the context of pizza, biga is typically used for doughs with a high to very high hydration level (70-80%). This is especially true for modern Neapolitan or canotto-style pizzas, which are known for their puffy, high-volume crust and open crumb structure.

However, if biga makes the dough more elastic and gives it a more compact crumb structure, why is it the preferred choice for these pizzas instead of poolish?

Firstly, these pizzas have a high hydration level, which makes the dough more extensible and helps balance the elasticity provided by the biga. Additionally, it is typical to have a generous amount of dough in the cornicione (outer part of the crust) for these pizzas. The combination of these factors results in a large, puffy, and airy crust, giving the impression that the biga alone is responsible for this outcome. While biga does contribute to the strength of the gluten, which leads to greater volume, it is not the sole factor.

Secondly, traditionally, Italians have used biga to strengthen weak doughs. For this purpose, biga is more suitable than poolish.

Lastly, biga is an Italian preferment, and Italians are known for championing their food culture. Therefore, it is only natural to see Italian pizzaiolos incorporating biga rather than poolish. Italians strongly advocate for biga to the extent that they have even developed official guidelines for its preparation.

If you were to make two identical doughs with the only difference being the use of poolish or biga, you would be surprised to find that the differences between them would not be significant.

General Guidelines for Making a Preferment

What Flour Should Be Used in a Preferment?

In general, it is preferable to use relatively strong flour when making a preferment. Stronger flour can withstand the long fermentation process at room temperature that the preferment undergoes. The strength of the flour determines how long we can ferment the preferment without the gluten breaking down, which has several benefits:

• Allows for a longer overall fermentation of the preferment, resulting in the production of more flavors.
• Increases the usability window, as more gluten remains in the dough during fermentation compared to using weaker flour.
• Reduces the risk of the preferment reaching over-fermentation.

In other words, using strong flour in a preferment provides greater flexibility in preparation – it extends the usability window and reduces the need to precisely time its peak.

However, it is important to note that using strong flour in a preferment is not always necessary. For instance, it is commonly suggested to use strong flour in a biga. It is essential to remember that Italian flours are naturally weaker, so the recommendation to use strong flour (with a W index of 320 or higher) is justified in this context. On the other hand, when using non-Italian flours, a protein content of 11% or higher is generally enough.
For more information about Italian flours, please refer to the following article: Is Italian Flour Essential for Making Pizza? Everything You Need to Know about Italian Flour.

Additionally, it is important to remember that the need for strong flour is specific to fermenting at room temperature. When preferment is fermented in the fridge (which is generally not recommended), the fermentation process is much slower. Therefore, using “strong” flour becomes unnecessary, assuming the preferment will be fermented for up to 24 hours.

My personal recommendation is to use the same flour for the preferment as you do for the final dough. Most pizza flours are naturally strong, so using the same flour in the preferment usually yields good results – and that’s what I personally always do. In most cases, there is no need to complicate the preparation process by using different flours.

The only exception to this is when using Italian flour. As mentioned before, Italian flours are relatively weak by nature, and Italian flours with a W index of less than 300 may struggle to withstand a long room temperature fermentation.

For example, in the test shown below, three poolishes were made using three different flours. They were fermented for 12 hours.
The left poolish was made with Caputo Pizzeria flour, and the other two poolishes were made with American bread flours. Each second in the video represents an hour in real time.
[Credit for this experiment goes to PelletPizzaJoe, a member of pizzamaking.com]

As you can see, the Caputo Pizzeria poolish completely collapsed after approximately 8 hours. On the other hand, the other flours handled the fermentation well and could have easily gone for a few more hours.

This test is an excellent demonstration of how flour affects preferment (and dough in general), and it also explains why, when using Italian flour, it is advisable to use a relatively strong flour in the preferment.

In conclusion:

• If you use a weak Italian flour for the final dough, it is advisable to use a relatively strong flour for the preferment. This could be Italian flour with a W index of 300 or higher, or any non-Italian bread or pizza flour with a protein content of 11% or higher.
• If you use non-Italian flour (bread/pizza) or strong Italian flour with a W index of 300 or higher for the final dough, you can also use the same flour in the preferment.
• If you ferment the preferment in the fridge for up to 24 hours, there is no need for “strong” flour.

How Much Yeast Should Be Used in a Preferment?

If you want to accurately determine the amount of yeast to use in a preferment, the most effective method is to use PizzaBlab’s pizza dough calculator yeast calculation function. PizzaBlab’s dough calculator allows you to calculate the required yeast percentage based on the desired fermentation temperature and duration, and then use this information to determine the amount of yeast needed for the preferment.

Let’s go through an example:

Suppose we have a dough containing 1000g of flour and we want to use a preferment that comprises 20% (200g) of the total flour. We plan to ferment the preferment for 12 hours at a temperature of 25C/77F.

To calculate the yeast percentage, we enter this data into the dough calculator. For a 12-hour fermentation at 25C/77F, the yeast percentage is determined to be 0.025%.

Next, we can calculate the amount of yeast required based on this yeast percentage:

200 * 0.00025 = 0.05 (Note: 0.025% = 0.00025).

Which means that for a preferment consisting of 200g of flour and fermented for 12 hours at a temperature of 25°C/77°F, we will use 0.05 grams of yeast.

By following the instructions provided above, you can accurately calculate the amount of yeast required for the preferment under various fermentation conditions. This method is similar to the one used for determining the yeast quantity in “regular” dough – and it is the method I recommend using.

Alternatively, you can use the “standard” amounts of yeast for biga and poolish; However, please note that these amounts are general guidelines and are intended for fermentation at a room temperature of approximately 20C/68F:

• Biga: 0.3% dry yeast or 1% fresh yeast, for fermentation lasting 16-24 hours
• Poolish: 0.1% dry yeast or 0.3% fresh yeast, for fermentation lasting 8-16 hours

Another method that can be used is to use a “pinch” of yeast. Simply take a small amount of yeast between your fingertips (see the picture below). While not the most precise measurement (approximately 0.1g of yeast is obtained), it works quite well.

Should Yeast Be Added Only to the Preferment or Also to the Final Dough?

In most cases, it will be necessary to add more yeast to the final dough in addition to the yeast already in the preferment. It is important to understand that this is not a “problem”, and the purpose of preferment is not to “replace” the use of yeast in the final dough.

The amount of yeast that should be used in the final dough is always determined by the final dough itself. For example, if the final dough requires 0.5g of yeast and we used 0.1g of yeast in the preferment, we need to add another 0.4g of yeast to the final dough to achieve the appropriate amount of yeast for the proper fermentation of the final dough. In this context, the preferment and the final dough are two separate “entities”, and the calculation of the total amount of yeast is always based on the fermentation duration and temperature of the final dough, as obtained in PizzaBlab’s pizza dough calculator.

Please note that the calculator only displays the quantity of yeast for the final dough and does not differentiate between the preferment and the final dough in terms of yeast amount. This is intentional and aims to prevent unnecessary confusion, as the amount of yeast in the preferment is uaually negligible compared to the amount in the final dough. Therefore, in most cases, you can add the entire quantity of yeast obtained from the calculator to the final dough, and disregard the amount of yeast already present in the preferment.

If you prefer to be more precise, you can subtract the amount of yeast used in the preferment from the quantity of yeast in the final dough, as shown in the example above (0.5g – 0.1g).

The only exception to the above is when conducting a long room temperature fermentation, especially at high temperatures. In these cases, which require very small amounts of yeast (as low as 0.05g or even lower), the amount of yeast in the preferment may be sufficient on its own.

How to Make Poolish, Biga, and Sponge: General Guidelines

How to Make Poolish (Or Any Liquid Preferment)

Mixing the Poolish

Prepare an equal amount of water and flour (e.g., 50g of water and 50g of flour) and a container that is deep enough to hold at least twice the volume of the water and flour combined (the poolish will at least double in volume). It is highly recommended to use a transparent container so that you can monitor the fermentation progress of the poolish.

Add the water to the container, then add the yeast and mix until the yeast is incorporated. Next, add the flour. Be careful not to use cold water; instead, use water at room temperature (e.g., tap water). Cold water can harm the yeast cells.

Mix everything together (using a spoon, dough whisk, or small silicone spatula) until there is no dry flour left in the container and a smooth and uniform batter is achieved. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the container thoroughly to ensure no dry flour remains unabsorbed.

Cover the container with a lid or cling wrap to prevent the poolish from drying out. There is no need to poke holes in the cling wrap or provide air circulation in the container, as this is unnecessary and serves no purpose.

At this point, I highly recommend marking the “starting” position of the poolish with a rubber band or marker so that you can visually track how much the volume increases during fermentation.

That’s it. The poolish is now ready, and all that remains is to let it ferment.

Fermenting the Poolish

Allow the poolish to ferment at room temperature for 8-12 hours (or according to your needs – just make sure to adjust the amount of yeast to the fermentation time and temperature using PizzaBlab’s dough calculator). The poolish will be ready for use as soon as it has doubled in volume, and a “dome” with many small bubbles has formed on its surface (the rubber band can help you gauge the volume).

A ripe poolish will have a mildly sour and delicate smell, similar to yogurt.

In an over-fermented poolish, you will clearly see a significant collapse inside, with residual marks on the sides of the container that are higher than the current level of the poolish (see picture below). It will also have a very sour/alcoholic smell.

If you notice that your poolish has collapsed significantly, it is best not to use it as it may do more harm than good. If this happens, check what went wrong – either you used too much yeast, let the poolish ferment for too long, or the fermentation temperature was too high. As mentioned, for maximum accuracy, it is recommended to use PizzaBlab’s dough calculator.

In general, once the poolish is ready to use, you can store it in the fridge for a few additional hours to extend its usability window a bit – but not beyond that.

Incorporating the Poolish Into the Final Dough

Transfer the ripe poolish into a bowl where you will mix the final dough. Then, add the remaining water from the recipe and briefly mix the poolish with the water – this will help incorporate the poolish with the rest of the flour more easily. Don’t worry if the water appears cloudy/opaque at this point, that’s just the starch “separating” from the poolish – it will recombine with the dough during mixing. Mixing the poolish with the water for 10~ seconds will be sufficient.

Once the poolish is incorporated into the water, add the remaining ingredients from the recipe – the salt, yeast, and the rest of the flour. Continue kneading/mixing as you normally would.

How to Make Biga (Or Any Stiff Preferment)

Traditionally, the preparation of biga follows very clear and strict “rules”. These rules include a hydration level of 44-45%, the use of 1% fresh yeast or 0.3% instant dry yeast, and fermentation for 12-24 hours at a temperature of 16-18C/61-65F. Why this specific temperature range? Because this range is ideal for the formation of specific by-products in the biga during fermentation; Specifically, it helps achieve the right ratio between lactic and acetic acid, which gives the biga its unique characteristics.

However, since we are not purists and there is no Italian standing behind us grading our work, there is no problem in fermenting the biga at a different room temperature. However, it is important to note that in this case, it’s technically no longer a “biga” but rather a stiff preferment; Consequently, its effect on the dough, both in terms of texture and taste, may also differ (but not necessarily for the worse).

There is also a variation of biga called “biga lunga”, a process that involves cold fermenting the biga in the fridge for 24 hours and then another 24 hours of room temperature fermentation. Honestly, I don’t see any reason to go through all that trouble, and in such cases, it’s better to simply make a direct dough (or a “regular” preferment). Italians and their peculiarities…

Mixing the Biga

Biga should be prepared in a wide and deep container to facilitate mixing. Add the water and yeast to the container and mix thoroughly. Be careful not to use cold water; instead, use water at room temperature (e.g., tap water). Cold water can harm the yeast cells.

Next, add flour to the water and yeast mixture, and begin mixing, NOT kneading. It’s preferable to use your hands for this step (as mentioned, we want to avoid kneading the biga and developing gluten; instead, we simply want the flour to absorb the water).

The most effective way to mix biga is by forming a claw-like shape with your hand and using your fingertips to circulate and combine the flour and water. Continue mixing the biga until there is no dry flour left in the container, as any remaining dry flour will not participate in the fermentation process.

The final consistency of the biga should resemble small to medium-sized chunks, similar to gnocchi, with minimal gluten development. Avoid kneading the biga or forming a cohesive dough mass that will increase in volume during fermentation. The biga should not expand by more than 20%, and certainly should not double in size.

The entire mixing process should take between 3 to 6 minutes. If any large chunks of biga form, you can break them up into smaller pieces with your hands.

Once the biga has been mixed, cover the container with a lid or cling wrap to prevent it from drying out, and allow it to ferment. There’s no need to poke holes in the cling wrap or provide air circulation in the container, as this is unnecessary and serves no purpose.

Fermenting the Biga

The biga is ready once you can observe a slight “puffing up” of the chunks and approximately a 20% increase in volume (refer to the photo below). If the biga has not puffed up at all, it is not yet ready.

A ripe biga will have a moderately sharp alcoholic/sour smell that is relatively mild and not overpowering.

If the biga has significantly doubled in volume, it indicates that it was over-mixed. If the biga has a very strong acidic/alcoholic smell, it suggests that it has over-fermented.

Incorporating the Biga Into the Final Dough

Since biga is a very stiff preferment, incorporating it into the final dough can be challenging. To make it easier, it is highly recommended to crumble or cut the biga into smaller pieces before incorporating it into the final dough.

To further facilitate the incorporation of the biga, you can optionally soak it in water prior to mixing. Simply add the remaining water from the recipe to a bowl, add the biga chunks, and let them sit in the water for a few minutes before mixing. However, be cautious not to mix the biga too much in water alone, as this can cause the starch to separate from the biga chunks, resulting in hard and sticky gluten lumps that are difficult to incorporate into the dough (this is different from mixing poolish with water, which is possible due to its liquid texture).

Once the biga and water are ready, add the flour and other dough ingredients, and continue kneading as usual, ensuring that all the biga is fully incorporated into the dough.

Please note that the above process is for using a mixer. Hand kneading a dough made with biga is possible, but it is labor-intensive and requires a lot of force and elbow grease to properly incorporate all the biga into the final dough. If you choose to knead by hand, it is recommended to cut the biga into small pieces to facilitate its incorporation into the dough.

Another option for hand kneading is to put the biga in a food processor along with all the flour from the recipe and grind everything together until you achieve “biga crumbs”, which can then be added to the remaining water.

How to Make a Sponge

As mentioned earlier, the preparation process for a sponge is not specific or defined. This gives you the opportunity to be creative and experiment with different variations, such as fermenting for two hours or 24 hours, using 50% hydration or 80% hydration, and so on. By preparing different types of sponges, you can discover what works best for you and what you prefer.

The preparation of a sponge is similar to that of a biga or poolish, depending on its hydration level and consistency. For more details, please refer to the previous sections. The only difference is when dealing with a stiff sponge that has low hydration. In this case, you don’t need to create “chunks” like you would with a biga; Instead, you can mix/knead the sponge until it forms an actual “dough”, which is then allowed to ferment.

Just like a poolish, a sponge is ready to be used when it has doubled in volume and a “dome” has formed on its surface. A ripe sponge will have a mild smell, not overly alcoholic. The specific smell may vary depending on the composition of the sponge and the fermentation conditions.

How to Use a Preferment in Any Dough Recipe

Calculating Flour and Water for the Preferment

Preferments can be used in any type of dough and any dough recipe.

First, let’s understand how to calculate the amount of preferment in a recipe.

When we talk about the percentage of preferment in a recipe, we are referring to the proportion of flour in the preferment compared to the total amount of flour in the recipe.

For example:

Let’s say we have a recipe that calls for 1000g of flour, and we want to use 10% preferment.
To calculate 10% of 1000g, we multiply 1000g by 0.1, which equals 100g. So, our preferment will contain 100g of flour.

Now, what about the amount of water (hydration) in the preferment? This depends on the type of preferment. For a poolish, we use an equal ratio of flour and water, which means 100% hydration. For a biga, we use 45% water in relation to the total amount of flour in the biga.
Obviously, other hydration levels within this range can be used as well.

Let’s continue with the example:

We have decided on a 10% preferment, which means 100g of flour.
For a poolish, we add 100g of water to the flour (100% hydration, or a 1:1 ratio between water and flour).
For a biga, we add 45g of water to the flour (45% hydration).

To summarize:

1. Decide on the amount (percentage) of preferment you want to use (in this example: 10%).
2. Multiply the percentage of preferment by the total amount of flour in the recipe to get the amount of flour in the preferment (in this example: 1000 * 0.1 = 100).
3. To find the amount of water in the preferment, multiply the amount of flour in the preferment by the desired hydration of the preferment (in this example: 0.45 * 100 = 45 [biga], or 1 * 100 = 100 [poolish]).
4. Therefore, for a 10% preferment, we have a preferment that contains 100g of flour, and 45g of water for a biga, or 100g of water for a poolish.

Calculating Flour and Water for the Final Dough

So we have a ripe preferment that is ready to be incorporated into the final dough, and now we need to determine the amount of flour and water that should be added to the final dough, along with the remaining dough ingredients.

Using the previous example:
Let’s assume that the total quantities for the recipe are 1000g of flour and 600g of water (60% final hydration).
We have 10% preferment (let’s say poolish), which consists of 100g of water and 100g of flour.

Now, let’s make the final dough: we combine the preferment (which already contains 100g of flour and 100g of water), with the remaining amounts of flour and water in the recipe – an additional 900g of flour (bringing the total to 1,000g) and an additional 500g of water (bringing the total to 600g).

And that’s it, that’s the whole process. It may appear complex or complicated, but thankfully, you can use PizzaBlab’s dough calculator to simplify the entire calculation process. Simply select the “Use a Preferment” option, enter the desired percentage of preferment and the hydration level of the preferment – and the calculator will handle the calculation for you, providing you with the final quantities for the entire recipe, the preferment, and the additional ingredients in the final dough.

Concluding Thoughts on Preferments

Preferments are an exceptional tool that can enhance the flavor and texture of our baked goods, while also expanding our culinary expertise. Although the process of preparing and using preferments may initially seem intimidating, once you understand the concept, it becomes second nature. It is a crucial and powerful technique that every baker should have in their repertoire.

Generally, a properly fermented preferment will always enhance the flavor and texture of the baked product. However, these effects, particularly in terms of flavor, become less noticeable the longer the final dough is fermented. It is important to remember that flavor is subjective, and the impact of preferment on flavor may not be the same (or positive) for everyone. Personally, I enjoy the flavor that preferments add to the dough; however, I know many people who do not notice a significant difference, or find it strong enough to justify using a preferment. The best way to determine if a preferment is right for you, and which type to use, is to try it yourself and see what you prefer.

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