The tangy, earthy aroma of homemade sourdough bread is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But before you can bake that perfect loaf, you need the key ingredient: a healthy sourdough starter. Don’t be intimidated! Creating your own starter is easier than you think, and it’s a rewarding journey.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water (filtered or bottled is preferred)
Instructions:
- Day 1-3: In a clean glass jar, combine the flour and water. Mix well. Cover loosely with a breathable lid and leave at room temperature (70-80°F).
- Day 2-7: Each day, discard half the starter and feed it again with equal amounts (¼ cup each) of flour and water. Mix well, cover, and let it rest. By day 5-7, you should start to see small bubbles forming on the surface.
- Day 8 onwards: You can switch to feeding every other day. Continue discarding half the starter and feeding it ¼ cup each of flour and water.
- Testing: By day 10-14, your starter might be ready. To test, take 1 tablespoon of starter and mix it with 3 tablespoons of water. If it floats within 30 minutes, it’s active and ready to use! If not, continue feeding every other day until it passes the test.
