David Anthes Builds Structure and Clarity Through Sourdough Practice

David Anthes (https://about.me/davidanthes) has always approached routines with care. Whether refining a system at work or evaluating a new tool, he looks for structure, repeatability, and quiet results. His sourdough practice is no exception.

While many people treat baking as creative escape, David treats it as a reliable part of his weekly rhythm-one grounded in observation, consistency, and systems thinking. For him, sourdough is not a project or a trend. It's a habit.

He began baking several years ago, curious about fermentation and the challenge of maintaining a living starter. Over time, that interest developed into a structured weekly process that balances freedom with control. Each bake follows a sequence. Each variable-hydration, flour blend, room temperature-is logged and reviewed. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is insight.

"Sourdough is responsive," David explains. "You can't force it, but you can shape it. Once you understand the variables, you start noticing patterns. That's where it gets interesting."

A System Built from Practice

David maintains a minimalist setup. A single banneton. A cast iron Dutch oven. A digital scale. His starter is kept lean and stable, fed once or twice daily depending on the season. Every Saturday, he bakes.

The routine stays roughly the same: mix in the morning, fold through the day, shape in the evening, and bake Sunday morning. He prefers a 75% hydration base, with slight adjustments depending on ambient temperature and flour type.

He uses a simple spreadsheet to track each bake-time of day, starter strength, ambient conditions, bake time, crumb result. Over months and years, those notes have become a kind of map. They help him spot errors, refine techniques, and stay consistent even as inputs shift.

"The dough doesn't lie," he says. "If something's off, it shows up in the bake. And if you've been paying attention, you usually know why."

Quiet Discipline

David's approach is understated. He doesn't share loaves on social media. He doesn't name his starter. He's not chasing a glossy crust or viral crumb shot. What matters is repeatability. What matters is process.

Baking, for David, is less about outcome than rhythm. He treats it as a form of personal discipline-a way to slow down, pay attention, and stay grounded. It's part of how he manages his week.

"I don't need it to be perfect," he says. "But I need it to happen. I need to show up, follow the steps, see what happens. That's where the value is."

This attitude mirrors his broader mindset. David values systems that function under pressure. He prefers tools that get better with use. He sees patterns not as constraints, but as opportunities to refine.

His sourdough process reflects that. It's simple on the surface. But underneath is a structure built on iteration, adjustment, and respect for timing.

Teaching Without Teaching

Although David doesn't lead formal classes, people around him often ask for advice. He's shared his starter with neighbors. He's emailed spreadsheets to friends trying to troubleshoot dense loaves. His calm, methodical tone tends to demystify things for first-time bakers.

He breaks things down simply: strength of starter, timing of bulk fermentation, shaping tightness, final proof temperature. He helps people stop guessing. And more often than not, their next loaf improves.

"I'm not a chef," he says. "But I know what worked for me. If someone's stuck, I can help them track what they're doing and figure out where it went sideways."

He's hesitant to turn the practice into content. For now, it remains a quiet ritual. A weekly reset. A project that lives offline.

Why It Works

Sourdough requires attention, but not constant input. That's part of why it fits David's philosophy so well. It rewards consistency. It teaches patience. It responds best to care over time.

It also reflects something deeper about how he works. In professional and personal settings alike, David avoids noise. He favors calm over urgency. Process over improvisation. Depth over performance.

His sourdough practice (https://medium.com/@davidanthesbend/david-anthes-no-fuss-guide-to-sourdough-hydration-and-home-bakery-chaos-by-david-anthes-f445a995acc8) is a mirror of that approach. It's not flashy. But it works.

"Some people meditate. Some people journal. I bake," he says. "It gives me a fixed point every week. Something I can rely on. And it keeps teaching me things."

David Anthes
522. W Riverside Ave, Ste 6961, Spokane, WA 99201

David Anthes is a process-driven professional who values consistency, systems, and long-term thinking. Known for his calm approach and structured mindset, he applies operational clarity across both personal and professional areas of life. Whether managing projects or refining routines, he prioritizes steady effort over performance.

In his personal time, David is an avid home baker focused on sourdough practice. He approaches baking with the same attention to detail that defines his broader work-tracking variables, reviewing outcomes, and repeating systems that deliver reliable results. For David, consistency is not just a goal but a method.

He is often described as focused, thoughtful, and clear in both communication and action. He prefers quiet results over attention, and favors progress built through patience and planning.

This release was published on openPR.