How to Make a Sourdough Starter
Sourdough bread making is so rewarding. It can be a frustrating process to get the starter going, but once you have it is the most addictive form of bread making out there! Every bake is exciting and unique. Follow this process and I am sure you will be successful and on your way to making beautiful bread!
How to Make a Sourdough Starter
A step by step guide to creating a sourdough starter.
- Food scale
- Glass jar or bowl
- Spatula
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Bread Flour
- Water
Day 1
- 9am
Into a glass jar or container, mix 50g water with 50g Whole Wheat Flour
- Let it sit for 24 hours loosely covered.
Day 2 & 3
- 9am
- Get a small bowl, weigh out 50g of starter and discard the rest. Wash out the container the starter was in with hot water, NO SOAP!
Add 50g of Whole Wheat flour and 50 g of water to the starter. Mix well and add that back into the washed glass jar. Mark the starter with a rubber band so you can see when it has doubled in size.
- Let it sit for 24 hours loosely covered.
Day 4 -7
9am
1. Get a small bowl, weigh out 50g of starter and discard the rest. Wash out the container the starter was in with hot water, NO SOAP!
2. Add 30g of Bread flour, 20g Whole Wheat Flour and 50g of water to the starter. Mix well and add that back into the washed glass jar. Mark the starter with a rubber band so you can see when it has doubled in size.
3. Let it sit for 12 hours loosely covered.
9pm
1. Get a small bowl, weigh out 50g of starter and discard the rest. Wash out the container the starter was in with hot water, NO SOAP!
2. Add 30g of Bread flour, 20g Whole Wheat Flour and 50 g of water to the starter. Mix well and add that back into the washed glass jar. Mark the starter with a rubber band so you can see when it has doubled in size.
3. Let it sit for 12 hours loosely covered.
Day 8
- 9am
- Get a small bowl, weigh out 50g of starter and discard the rest. Wash out the container the starter was in with hot water, NO SOAP!
Add 30g of Bread flour, 20g Whole Wheat flour and 50 g of water to the starter. Mix well and add that back into the washed glass jar. Mark the starter with a rubber band so you can see when it has doubled in size.
Now watch how long it takes to double in size. If it doubles in 4-6 hours, you are ready to bake bread. If not don’t panic, just keep feeding it for a few more days until it doubles in 4-6 hours. This process can take up to 2 weeks. Every starter is different.
