#BAKERY STORY 2 TROUBLESHOOTING HOW TO#
#BAKERY STORY 2 TROUBLESHOOTING FULL#

However, after four days it still smells a little funky and doesn't seem quite ready for baking bread. My brand-new starter is able to keep up in terms of rise. Within four days they're rising well and have a nice, mildly tangy aroma.В My theory is that both the acidity and the maturity of the neglected starters helps them fight off unwanted bacteria at the beginning of the process, which might allow for a faster return to a healthy and balanced starter.Д«y way of comparison, I also begin a starter from scratch. The revived starters smell a little 'off' at first, but not awful think vinegary sour, with a slightly unpleasant edge. I pour the dark hooch off the neglected starters, and feed them following the feeding schedule called for in our sourdough starter recipe. Why test both a white and a whole wheat starter? Starters can be maintained with all different types of flour, so I wanted to see if a whole wheat starter responded in the same way as a starter fed with all-purpose flour.

#BAKERY STORY 2 TROUBLESHOOTING FULL#

Both starters (one all-purpose, one whole wheat) had been well-maintained until they were left at room temperature for a full month without being fed.

I start with two very neglected starters. But dark-colored вЂњhoochвЂќ (the liquid sitting atop a neglected starter) isnвЂ™t a sign of danger. Starter showing any mold (or exhibiting an orange or pink streak) should be thrown away. So why take on the unpredictable task of trying to resurrect a sickly starter?ДЄnd is it even possible to thoroughly revive a starter that's sorely neglected?

Starting over with a new starter will get you back to baking great sourdough bread in a little over a week. Sourdough authorities argue that there's nothing sacred about an old starter a freshly developed 'mature' starter will impart just as much flavor and rise to your bread. What if you inherited an old starter from your grandma and it's looking a little like it might be at death's door? Reviving a neglected starter vs starting a new one But once fully developed, a well-maintained starter will readily fend off unwanted invaders and is very unlikely to spoil. Simply mixing flour and water allows friendly bacteria and wild yeast to join forces and establish a balanced ecosystem that is able to impart great flavor and rise to your sourdough baking.Дuring the 6 to 10 days that it takes to get your starter up and running, it's a little more vulnerable to bacterial intruders and mold because it hasn't yet developed the defenses of a mature starter. Sourdough starter: AВ miracle in the makingД¬reating your own starter from scratch is exciting and even a little magical В for details, see our step-by-step guide to creating a sourdough starter.

Today we'll take on the thorny question of whether it's worthwhile to try to revive an old but struggling starter - or if it's best to start over.

#BAKERY STORY 2 TROUBLESHOOTING HOW TO#

We also found out what a spoiled starter looks like, and how to know when it's time to throw it out and start over. In our first sourdough starter troubleshooting post we tackled sourdough starter viability, and what will and won't cause your starter's demise.

Bakery story 2 troubleshooting