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Make Sourdough Starter From Scratch

Learn how to make a sourdough starter from scratch. In this easy guide I talk about the history of yeast, the different terms you'll come across, and my tips for a successful starter.
Prep Time 16 days

Equipment

  • storage jar or container
  • Measuring jug
  • kitchen scale
  • fork

Ingredients
  

  • 800 gr flour 100 grams for the first day. 50 grams for each day during the 14 day period from the 3rd day on. I like to use white bread flour but you can choose a different flour if you like.
  • 800 ml cold water 100 ml for the first day. 50 ml for each day during the 14 day period from the 3rd day on. I just use tap water but you can use filtered water if you prefer.

Instructions
 

Create the sourdough starter

  • DAY 1: Start by putting 100 gr of white bread flour and 100 ml of cold water in your storage container (or jar). Mix it well with a fork and cover the container with a kitchen towel. Leave this on your kitchen counter until day 3.
  • DAY 3: You should see bubbles appear by now. Discard half of the starter and add fresh flour and water to feed the starter. Use the kitchen scale to get the measurements right. You will repeat this process daily for 2 weeks.
  • DAY 17: Your starter is now ready to be used! Do be patient though, the older your starter gets, the fluffier your bread will be. The amount of times you have to feed it from now on depends on the way you store it but it will always be 50 grams of starter + 50 grams of flour + 50 ml of water (and increase equally if you need more starter for a recipe).

How to store and feed it

  • There are two ways you could store your sourdough starter. You could store your sourdough starter on the kitchen counter or in the fridge.
  • You’d store your sourdough starter on the kitchen counter if you are planning to use it nearly every day. If you decide to do this, then that means that you’ll have to feed your starter daily as well.
  • You’d store your sourdough starter in the fridge if you’ll be using it about twice a week or less. With this method you’ll only have to feed your starter once a week. I used to store mine on the kitchen counter but I prefer it in the fridge now. It’s a lot easier!
  • It's also very important that you clean the storage jar or container regularly. I do it weekly. If you forget to do it, it could eventually kill off your starter. When I am feeding my starter, I just transfer it to a bowl and wash the container before I put the fed starter back in.