What's are the benefits of different sourdough starter consistencies?
Is there any real differences between keeping a sourdough starter at a thick dough like consistency compared to a more watery consistency? Aside from the general thoughts of thicker being easier to keep.
Best Answer
Since a starter is actually a symbiotic mixture of microorganisms, factors like hydration level can change the balance of bacteria and yeasts. Depending on which organisms are favored, it can change the flavor, gas production, etc. They're not necessarily "benefits", but different consistencies can definitely produce different starters. The biggest and most consistent difference that I can think of would be that wetter starters are usually more active.
Pictures about "What's are the benefits of different sourdough starter consistencies?"
Is there a difference in sourdough starters?
Does sourdough starter get more sour as it ages? Yes. A more mature starter will have a better established colony of lactobacillus (the good bacteria that give you the distinctive sourdough flavor). So as your starter matures and ages, it will develop a much stronger sourdough flavor.Does the type of sourdough starter matter?
It is a simple task to use a different type of flour for baking, no matter what type of sourdough starter is used as leavening.What is the best sourdough starter ratio?
Feed the starter 1/2 cup (4 ounces, 113g) water and a scant 1 cup (4 ounces, 113g) all-purpose flour twice a day, discarding all but 1/2 cup (4 ounces, 113g) of the starter before each feeding. It should soon become healthy, bubbly, and active.Why is each sourdough starter unique?
Each starter contains a unique blend of microbes that create a \u201csecret sourdough bread recipe\u201d \u2014 secret not only to the baker, but also to those they share it with or pass it down to through the generations.what. (Bo Burnham FULL SHOW HD)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Jill Wellington, Yaroslav Shuraev, Antonius Ferret, Tima Miroshnichenko