Lesson 25 of 44
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The Starter

Shari MAC · September 29, 2024
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SOURDOUGH STARTER EXPERIMENT:

Sinless Sourdough is a unique, low-carb sourdough starter.  It uses a zero-discard approach and a specialized low-carb feeding regimen.

What’s happening: Wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are fermenting the low-carb flour mixture, producing CO2 (bubbles) and organic acids (tangy smell). This microbiome will leaven your bread and provide its distinctive flavor.

Key Features: 

  • Zero-discard method
  • Low-carb ingredients
  • Builds incrementally to full jar capacity
  • Becomes more powerful with each batch
  • Can live a lifetime if you nurture it.

Getting Started:

Equipment Needed:

  • 16-ounce sterilized jar (glass) with a lid
  • Jar spatula or chopstick (for stirring the starter)
  • Elastic band (for watching it expand)
  • Measuring spoon (to measure your ingredients for feedings)

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of de-hydrated sourdough starter
  • Oat fiber
  • Vital wheat gluten
  • Spring water

Feeding Your Starter

Initial Feeding Recipe:

  • 1 tbsp oat fiber
  • 1 tbsp vital wheat gluten
  • 1package of de-hydrated sourdough starter
  • 4to 6 tablespoons spring water

Feeding Process:

  1. Mix ingredients in the jar.
  2. Cover loosely with lid (to allow for minimal oxygen).
  3. Let sit at room temperature (68-70°F) for 12 hours.
  4. Repeat feeding every 12 hours for up to 7 days.
  5. To feed the starter, stir it first.  Then add a tablespoon of spring water to thin it.  Then add the oat fiber and vital wheat gluten.  Stir again and add more water until the mixture reaches a smooth pancake batter
  6. Mark your starter’s growthif desired. When you feed your sourdough starter for the second time, place an elastic band around the jar at the level of the freshly fed starter. This visual marker will help you easily track how much your starter expands each day. By observing the rise of the starter in relation to the band, you can gauge its activity and health over time.

Signs of Readiness:

  • On day 6 or 7 the starter should reachthe top of jar.
  • If not keep feeding the starter every 12 hours until it reaches the top.
  • It should have a spongytexture.
  • While your initial batch of starter might not show numerous gas bubbles, it should still have a spongytexture when it’s ready to use. This sponginess indicates that fermentation has occurred, even if the visual sign of gas bubles are subtle at first.
  • With every new batch more gas bubbles form.

Maintaining Your Starter:

Storing the Dehydrated Starter:

  • Keep the package in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
  • Use within a year for best results.

Stirring the Active Starter:

Stirring your sourdough starter every 12 hours is crucial for several reasons:

  • It evenly distributes fresh nutrients and oxygen throughout the starter, preventing separation and clumping, breakingup gluten strands.
  • Allows you to monitor the consistency and activity of your starter;
  • Regular stirring also helps prevent mold growth and ensures all the microorganisms in your starter have equal access to food, promoting a healthy and active fermentation process.
  • Feed the starter every 12 hours for the first month.
  • You will know when you can cut backfeedings to every 24 hours when your starter begins to show a heavy amount of gas bubbles and hootch.
  • By the second month,feed every 24 hours, but stir on the 12 hour  (Ex. Feed and stir; 9:00 am. Stir 9:00 p.m.)
  • You cannot miss a feeding without the possibility of spoiling the starter.  It has to be fed on a regular basis, either 12 hours or 24 hours.

Refrigerating Active Starter:

  • If your starter is ready for use but you are not ready to bake,you can store the starter in the refrigerator. You can store the whole jar of starter in the refrigerator.
  • Timing: Refrigerate your starter when it’s at its peak activity, usually 4-8 hours after feeding.
  • Container: Use a clean glass or ceramic jar with a loose-fitting lid to allow some air circulation.
  • Feeding before refrigeration: Feed your starter before refrigerating to ensure it has enough food for the slower fermentation that occurs in cold temperatures.
  • Dormancy: In the refrigerator, your starter will become almost dormant, significantly slowing down its fermentation process.
  • Storage duration: A refrigerated starter can typically last 1-2 weeks without feeding.
  • A sourdough starter can last in the refrigerator for up to a month, although it is generally recommended to feed it at least once a week for optimal health.
  • While many bakers find that their starter remains viable for about two to three weeks without feeding, extending beyond this period may require more effort to revive it.
  • After a month in the fridge, the starter may become sluggish and will likely need several feedings at room temperature to reactivate it effectively.
  • If you plan to store your starter for longer than three weeks, consider dehydrating it as a more reliable long-term storage method.

Reactivation:

  • To reactivate your sourdough starter after it has been in the refrigerator for up to a month, remove it.
  • Pour off all the liquid (hooch).
  • While you never discard the starter while you are baking regularly, discarding is necessary after refrigeration of up to a month.
  • Discard 3/4 of the jar of the starter, leaving 1/4 of the starter in the jar in tact.
  • Mix thoroughly to incorporate air, then cover the jar loosely with its lid and let it sit at room temperature (around 70-75°F or 20-24°C) for about 12 hours.
  • Feed the starter 1 tablespoon of oat fiber and 1 tablespoon of vital wheat gluten and 4 to 6 tablespoons of spring water.  Mix well.  Put the lid on the jar and store the jar in the warmest part of your kitchen.
  • Continue feedings every 12 hours until you have a full jar of starter ready to use.

Signs of a Healthy Starter:

  1. Reaches the top of the jar
  2. Spongy texture
  3. Pleasant tangy aroma
  4. Lots of gas bubbles of different sizes

Why Spring Water: 

  • Mineral Content: Spring water typically contains beneficial minerals that can enhance the fermentation process. These minerals can support the growth of wild yeast and beneficial bacteria in the starter.
  • pH Balance: Spring water usually has a more neutral pH compared to tap water, which can sometimes be treated with chemicals like chlorine. A neutral pH helps create an optimal environment for yeast and bacteria.
  • Absence of Chlorine and Fluoride: Many municipal water supplies contain chlorine and/or fluoride, which inhibitsyeast activity.
  • Spring water is generally free from these chemicals, making it a better choice for nurturing thesourdough starter.
  • Natural Source: Spring water is often seen as a more natural option, which aligns with the artisanal approach many bakers take when creating sourdough.
  • Flavor: The mineral composition of spring water can also contribute to the flavor profile of the sourdough bread, potentially leading to a more complex taste.

Signs of a Bad Starter:

  • Visible mold
  • Offensive smell
  • Unusual discolorationand spots
  • Prolonged inactivity 

Adjusting for Environment:

  • Texture may vary based on ingredient brands
  • Growth rate depends on the enviroment (weather, temperature, humidity, feeding schedule, amount of spring water used).

Baking With Your Starter

Preparing for Baking: 

  • Measure1 cup of starter (also called levain) for your recipe
  • Transfer remaining starter to a sterilized, dry 16-ounce jar.
  • Begin starter feeding process again.

Tips For Baking Success:

  • Ensure starter is at peak activityand at the top of the jar before using
  • Use your Sinless Sourdough community for sharing ideas, pictures, and troubleshooting.