Don’t know where to start with sourdough?
So, what is a sourdough starter?
In short, a sourdough starter is a living colony of bacteria and wild yeast.
Its made from just two ingredientsflour and waterthat are mixed together to form a loose, gloopy paste.
How does sourdough starter actually work?
When a starter is fed, the yeast and bacteria eat the sugars present in the flour.
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As the yeasts eat, they produce carbon dioxide gas, which helps the bread to rise.
The bacteria in a sourdough starter can mostly be categorized asacid producing bacteria.
Just know it takes about a week of regular care before its ready to use.
At this point, your starter is considered ripe and ready to bake with.
The warmer the environment, the more frequently youll need to feed it.
I hate waste!
Do I have to throw my discard away?
Now you dont have to actually throw your discard awaythere are tons of ways to use it.
I forgot to feed my starter.
A healthy starter should smell yeasty, perhaps with a hint of sourness or fruitiness.
A starter that misses a few feeds may begin to smell strongly of vinegar, acetone, or alcohol.
These are indicators that your starter is underfed, but not necessarily beyond saving.
A few days of regular feedings should soon have your starter back in business.
How will I know my starter has gone bad?
Sourdough starters are resilient, but not indestructible.
While bread made with commercial yeast rises for a total of about two hours.
With sourdough, that time is at least doubled.
Functionally, commercial yeast has been bred (pun intended!)
It will help your loaves while you figure everything out, he says.
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