Sourdough starter

Starting a sourdough starter is a fun and rewarding project that lets you bake amazing bread with just flour, water, time, and wild yeast from your environment. Here’s a simple, no-fuss guide to creating your own sourdough starter from scratch.

🥖 How to Make a Sourdough Starter

🕰️ Total Time: 5–7 days

📦 Ingredients:

• Flour (use unbleached all-purpose or a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose)

• Water (filtered or dechlorinated if possible)

🌱 Day 1: The Beginning

1. In a clean glass jar or container, mix:

   • 1/2 cup (60g) flour

   • 1/4 cup (60g) lukewarm water

2. Stir well until no dry flour remains. Scrape down the sides. Cover loosely (e.g., with a lid resting on top or a clean towel).

3. Leave it at room temperature (around 70–75°F / 21–24°C) for 24 hours.

🌱 Day 2: Early Activity

• You may see some bubbles and a tangy smell — or nothing yet. That’s normal.

Discard half of the starter (about 1/4 cup). Add:

• 1/2 cup (60g) flour

• 1/4 cup (60g) water

Mix, cover loosely, and let sit another 24 hours.

🌿 Days 3–5: It Wakes Up

• By now, bubbles and a sour aroma should be developing.

Each day:

1. Discard half of the starter.

2. Feed it with 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water (same as before).

3. Mix well, cover loosely, and leave at room temp.

Tip: Switch to twice-daily feedings (every 12 hours) around Day 4 if your kitchen is cool or the starter is sluggish.

🌾 Day 6 or 7: Ready to Bake?

Your starter is ready when:

• It doubles in size 4–6 hours after feeding

• It’s bubbly and airy

• It has a pleasant, mildly tangy smell

• A small spoonful floats in water (optional test)

Name it if you like — it’s alive now 😄

🧊 After It’s Ready: Maintenance

• Daily baking? Keep feeding once daily at room temp.

• Occasional baking? Store in the fridge, feed once a week.

Each feeding (same steps):

1. Discard half

2. Add 1/2 cup flour + 1/4 cup water

3. Mix well

🥖 Next Step: Bake!

Once your starter is active, you can make sourdough bread, pancakes, pizza dough, and more. Want a simple sourdough bread recipe next?

Let me know if you’d like this as a printable guide or need help troubleshooting (e.g., mold, no bubbles, or weird smells).