Welcome to the world of homemade bread! There’s nothing quite like the aroma and taste of freshly baked bread, and creating your own sourdough starter is the first step towards achieving that culinary delight. We’ll guide you through a simple yet effective sourdough starter recipe that will have you baking your own delicious loaves in no time.

What is a Sourdough Starter?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s understand what a sourdough starter is. Essentially, it is a mixture of flour and water that undergoes fermentation. This process activates natural yeast and bacteria present in the environment, creating a unique and tangy flavour profile in the bread.

Ingredients

Organic bread flour (1 cup)
Filtered water (1 cup)

Equipment:

Glass jar with a lid (quart-sized)
Non-metal spoon or spatula

Direction

Day 1 – The Beginning

In the glass jar, combine 1 cup of organic bread flour and 1 cup of filtered water.

Stir the mixture well with a non-metal spoon or spatula until all the flour is fully incorporated.

Once mixed, cover the jar loosely with its lid, or you can use a clean kitchen towel secured with a rubber band.

Leave the jar at room temperature (around 70°F/21°C) for 24 hours.

Day 2 – The Feeding

After 24 hours, you will notice some bubbles forming on the surface. This is a sign that the fermentation process has begun.

Remove and discard about half of the mixture from the jar.

Add 1 cup of fresh organic bread flour and 1 cup of filtered water to the jar.

Stir well to fully incorporate the new ingredients and cover the jar as before.

Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for another 24 hours.

Day 3 and Beyond – The Cultivation

By now, your sourdough starter should exhibit more activity, with increased bubbles and a slightly tangy smell.

Repeat the feeding process by discarding half of the mixture and refreshing it with 1 cup each of fresh organic bread flour and filtered water.

Stir well, cover, and let it sit for another 24 hours.

Continue this feeding process every day, discarding and replenishing with fresh ingredients, until your starter becomes vibrant and active.

It usually takes around 7-10 days for a starter to fully develop, but this may vary depending on environmental factors.

Maintaining Your Sourdough Starter:

Once your sourdough starter is active, you can store it in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process. To maintain it:

Feed your starter once a week by discarding and replenishing it with equal parts of flour and water.

If you plan to bake with it, take it out of the refrigerator and feed it a day or two in advance to reactivate and make it ready for use.

Always remember to discard a portion of the starter before feeding to prevent it from growing too large.

Conclusion

Congratulations on creating your own sourdough starter! With a little patience and care, you can now embark on a delicious journey of baking your own homemade bread. Experiment with different recipes, shapes, and flavours to truly make it your own.

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