Is this mold on my sour dough starter?
I received the starter in early June this year. I feed 2 parts flour to 1 part well water. The flour is sometimes organic whole wheat, sometimes white flour. I keep it in the refrigerator. I feed once a week, but sometimes longer. It had been about two weeks when I opened it and saw stuff that looked like yeast granules. They are tan in color. I fed it and let it sit out for a few hours, then back in frig. I just took a look at the starter and it looks filmy, like the same thing is developing. It has a strong yeasty smell.
Is this mold? Is it still usable?
Best Answer
No. You are looking at "hooch", the fermented alcohol released by the yeast organisms, floating on top of the starter with little blobs of starter pushing up from the gas released below. Your starter is just fine.
Pour off the hooch and continue.
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Quick Answer about "Is this mold on my sour dough starter?"
DEALING WITH MOLD The cause is usually some sort of contamination with food or soap residue, or weakened yeast due to a forgotten feeding. If mold does appear, it may be time to discard the starter and begin again with a new starter, or it may be possible to revive the starter.How do I know if my sourdough starter has mold?
Mold can appear in various colors and is typically fuzzy in appearance. Bad bacteria is generally indicated by an orange or pink tinge or streak. Once your starter has lost its natural ability to ward off intruders, it's time to start over.Is mold on sourdough starter OK?
Using moldy sourdough starter is a recipe for disaster. If there's even a tiny bit of mold on your sourdough starter, you need to toss it. It cannot be saved and you should not use it. Consuming mold can cause many illnesses including respiratory illnesses.What is the black stuff on top of my sourdough starter?
The dark liquid is a form of naturally occurring alcohol known as hooch, which indicates that your sourdough starter is hungry. Hooch is harmless but should be poured off and discarded prior to stirring and feeding your starter.What is the GREY stuff on my sourdough starter?
Hooch is a runny liquid that ranges in color. It can be clear, brown, grey or even black. Usually, the longer the hooch has been left, the darker the liquid will become. A starter with hooch on the top simply means the starter is hungry for more flour.How To Fix A Sourdough Starter Gone Mouldy
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