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Sourdough Starter

10 Day Sourdough Starter Guide

Want to bake bread like your grandma used to? Sourdough is the key! It's a fundamental skill for a “from scratch” kitchen. Once you've got a happy, bubbly starter, you can whip up all sorts of delicious treats. Let's get started on your sourdough adventure together. It's fun, rewarding, and I can't wait to see what you bake!
Prep Time 5 minutes
fermentation 8 days

Equipment

  • 1 Glass Jar

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup water use slightly less than 1/4 cup
  • 1/4 cup Unbleach All Purpose Flour (30g)

Instructions
 

Day 1: The Humble Beginning

  • Weigh your Jar - Note it here
  • Combine Ingredients: In a clean jar, mix the all-purpose flour with the filtered water. Stir until combined.
  • Cover and Wait: Cover the jar with a loose-fitting lid or a cloth secured with a rubber band. Place it on a counter, away from direct sunlight. Let sit for 24 hours

Day 2-3: The Initial Rise

  • Patience is Key: Don't be discouraged if you don't see much activity on the second day. It's normal for starters to take a few days to come to life.
  • Discard & Feed Your Starter: Discard half of the starter and feed it with 2 Tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoon water.

Day 4-7: The Bubbly Transformation

  • Watch for Bubbles: As the starter matures, you may start to notice bubbles forming on the surface. This is a sign of healthy fermentation. It is normal for a Starter to have a few bubbles and changing smells but seem otherwise dormant from days 4 until activation, keep going, this is a normal part of the process.
  • Consistent Feeding and discarding: Continue to feed your starter every 24 hours, discarding half and replenishing with fresh flour and water.
  • False Rise: It is common to see a big rise around days 2-4, this is called a False Rise, keep going.

Day 8+: The Mature Starter

  • Peak Activity: Around days 8-10 you will likely have an active starter. Your starter should now be bubbly, fragrant, and full of life. It's ready to be used for baking!
  • Regular Feeding: If you keep your starter on the counter at room temperature you must maintain your starter's health by feeding it regularly, even when you're not actively baking. Feed it every 12-24 hours.