How to use sourdough starter?
A week ago I mixed 1 part AP flour 1 parts tap water, keeping it at room temperature (18-24c). I've been discarding a bit and feeding it 1:1 daily. The last few days, the next 4-6 hours after I feed it it double in size, and then it slowly goes down.
Now I want to use it to make some baguettes, the recipe calls for 20% starter. But how do I use the starter? Do I have to use it before or after feeding it? Or should I feed it and wait a few hours before using it?
Best Answer
The optimal time to use your starter is at peak activity. This could range from a couple of hours after feeding to 12 hours after feeding, depending of conditions. The top should have a slight dome, it should be bubbly...just before it begins to settle back down.
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How do I use the sourdough starter?
Add \xbd cup of flour to the sourdough starter. Add \xbd cup of water to the starter and flour. Stir all ingredients together till well combined and place a lid on it. Let it ferment on the counter for 8 \u2013 12 hours or until bubbly.How much of my starter should I use for a sourdough loaf?
Remove however much starter you need for your recipe \u2014 typically no more than 227 grams, about 1 cup. If your recipe calls for more than 1 cup of starter, give it a couple of feedings without discarding, until you've made enough for your recipe plus 113 grams to keep and feed again.Do you use sourdough starter before or after you feed it?
The very short answer is, your sourdough starter generally will be at its peak anything between 4 and 12 hours after feeding. The optimum time to use it will be when there are lots of bubbles at its surface and it has has physically risen to its peak level, just before deflating back down again.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.4 (Easy) Ways To Use A Sourdough Starter
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