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Sourdough Starter

Prep Time 2 minutes
Fermentation Time 14 days
Makes 100 grams

Equipment

  • digital kitchen scale

Ingredients

  • 400 grams (14 oz.) organic all-purpose flour
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz.) organic whole wheat flour (any variety wheat, or rye)
  • filtered water

Instructions
 

Day 1

  • Place a clean quart-sized container like a glass bowl or a mason jar on a digital kitchen scale, and tare the weight (set it to zero).
  • Add 100 grams whole wheat flour and 100 ml (equals 100 grams) warm (80°F/27°C) water to container. Stir until no dry flour can be seen.
  • Cover top with a breathable cloth or paper towel, and secure with the metal ring or a rubber band. Place in a location where the temperature is at least 70°F/21°C.

Day 2

  • Pour out all except 100 grams (about ½ cup) of starter. You'll remove 100 grams or about ½ cup). You can keep a separate larger container for this “discarded” starter, which can be used for many other baking purposes.
  • Add 100 grams all-purpose flour and 100 ml warm water to the starter. Stir well until no dry flour can be seen. Store in its warm spot again for 24 hours.

Days 3 to ? (7 to 21 days)

  • Discard all except 100 grams of the starter.
  • Add 100 grams all purpose flour and 100 ml water to the starter. Stir well.
  • By the third day, your starter should start to be bubbly and smell slightly sour. Keep going with daily feedings (repeating steps 1 & 2) until starter is vigorously bubbling and smells yeasty.
  • When a starter is consistently doubling in volume within six to eight hours after a feeding, it is healthy and has a well-established culture. Note that this may take a few more days or even a few weeks.
Keyword bread, Sourdough