How to take care of a sourdough starter?

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I am a beginner bread maker and just bought a San Francisco Sourdough starter. The instructions ask to discard part of the starter on day 5 of activating the starter. Why is that?



Best Answer

If some of the starter is not removed, it becomes overly acidic. Too much acid reduces the leavening effect of the starter. Removing and feeding keeps the acid in balance.




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Quick Answer about "How to take care of a sourdough starter?"

Leaving it out on the counter, it will need to be fed equal parts water and flour every 12-24 hours. Warmer homes or frequent baking will require more frequent feeding (around every 12 hours), while colder homes every 24 hours. Storing your sourdough starter in the fridge will require feeding around once a week.

How often should I feed my sourdough starter?

How often should I feed my sourdough starter? A. Refrigerated sourdough starter requires weekly feedings. When maintained at room temperature, the sourdough starter should be fed every 12 to 24 hours, depending on the specific starter and culturing conditions.

Do you have to discard sourdough starter every time you feed it?

You must discard some of your sourdough starter each time you feed it. You'll discover that discarding is necessary to build a healthy and thriving sourdough starter - but it's not actually as wasteful as you might think.

Should sourdough starter be kept airtight?

While the temperature and surroundings of a starter are crucial to its outcome, the sourdough starter does not need to be sealed in an airtight container. It's still helpful to cover the starter with some sort of a lid, to prevent any mess from ensuing (via The Perfect Loaf).

How long can a properly maintained sourdough starter be kept?

You can leave the starter in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days at a time between feedings. We recommend feeding sourdough starter at least twice a week for best results.



How to Maintain a Sourdough Starter - Simple Method




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