Before you can use tools like a brotform, artisticallycopy an intricate scoring pattern you saw on Instagramor bake a beginner sourdough recipe, you need one thing: a sourdough starter. It’s the one non-negotiable for all naturally leavened foods. So when you’re ready to be on Team Sourdough, here are four types of places to source one.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the idea, a sourdough starter is, essentially, pretty simple: flour plus water plus time. Supported by the wild yeast and lactobacilli in the air, the flour and water become a living culture. That living culture is an entity capable of birthing some of the world’s favorite baked goods.
A Sourdough Starter, So What?
So what’s the big deal with sourdough starters? Dubbed “America’s rising pet” by the New York Timesand considered a little like love by Bon Appetit, a sourdough starter is, honestly, a pretty magical thing. Watching one grow is enough to wake up the wonder in the most cynical of souls.
Think about it: all you need to give a starter is regular flour and water. In exchange, it will grow, bubble, change and, if you bottle some up for a friend, even reproduce. A starter can outlive you. It can last for generations. That simple blend of flour and water can birth some of the best breads of your life.
So maybe it’s no wonder people take their starters seriously. They name them like pets. Search around online, and you’ll find starters with incredible pedigrees: there’s a starterlegendarily brought over on the Mayflower.On Etsy, you can findunique cultures from DerbyshireorSan Francisco.
So when you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of sourdough, a starter is Step One. You won’t need a centuries-old starter to bake amazing bread, but you will need a starter from somewhere. So where can you get one? Should you make it or buy it? Here are some ideas.
Where to Get a Sourdough Starter
Where you get your sourdough starter all depends on you. Do you feel up to the challenge of cultivating your own? Would you rather ask a friend for some, or do you want to buy a starter online? Whatever your style, there’s an easy option for you.
- Go DIY with This Recipe, from Baked: The Blog. All you need are flour, water and less than a week of time to cultivate your own starter, in your own kitchen. How? There are lots of tutorials online, but this one’s pretty handy. Go to thecollaborative Canadian cooking blog Bakedfor an easy-to-follow step-by-step five-day guide. One week from now, you could have your own homegrown starter sitting on your kitchen counter, who knows?
- Buy from a Big Bread Brand, like King Arthur Flour or Breadtopia. Over on the King Arthur Flour website, you can buy a one-ounce starter for $8.95 and have the confidence that comes from a product endorsed by almost 800 other happy customers. If you’re an Amazon Prime member (ps did you hear about the new deals for Prime members at Whole Foods?), you can order from Breadtopia for about $11 including shipping and have a cousin to the starter in my fridge. It’s not necessarily better to order from big brands, but it is credible and convenient. Bonus: the big guys typically include instructions and information to guide you in your sourdough beginning.
- Get Some from a Friend. If you know someone who bakes sourdough, chances are he or she will be glad to share starter with you. Bakers regularly discard (or make pancakes with) part of their starters, so it’s no big deal to pass some along.
- Explore the Possibilities Online. If you’re interested in a special kind of starter–one from Alaska? Italy? Finland? France?–the world is at your fingertips online. Search on Amazon to find a wide variety, from rye sourdough starters to Gold Rush starters, or browse Etsy to get inspired with idea. You can even find starters on eBay.
If you’re toying with the idea of baking sourdough and unsure of where to start, take it from someone who was scared: get a starter. While, sure, people joke that it’s a pet, the truth is it’s adaptable to your lifestyle and fairly hard to kill. I learned this invaluable tip from Heartbeet Kitchen: you don’t have to feed it every day if you don’t bake all the time. Instead, you can keep it in the fridge, revive it once a week and bake. Now, in the summertime, while it’s hotter in our homes, it’s especially easy to bring the starter back to happy bubbles, so it’s an especially great time to jump in. Trust me, the revolutionary experience of slicing into your own fresh-baked bread is worth the adventure.
disclaimer: this post contains Amazon affiliate links, through which I receive a small commission on any purchases made.
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FAQs
If you want to purchase a starter, I would recommend: Asking at your local bakery (this is a good idea because the starter will be liquid so you don't have to hydrate it, and it will be a local starter). Purchase from a reputable baking company, rather than a random Etsy seller.
How do I know what sourdough starter I need? ›
There is no single best ratio, but I've found a ratio of 1:5:5 fed twice daily at 12-hour intervals to produce a sourdough starter that's strong and healthy. This ratio corresponds to 20% ripe starter carryover, 100% water, and 100% flour (a mix of whole grain rye and white flour) at each feeding.
Is grocery store sourdough real sourdough? ›
Despite the fact that traditional sourdough ingredients are flour, water, and salt, many store-bought versions include added yeast, ascorbic acid, vinegar, and oil. So, although many grocery stores may carry bread labeled “sourdough”, more often than not they are in fact fake sourdough.
What is the best flour to start a sourdough starter? ›
All-purpose Flour
It strikes a perfect balance of softness and structure, making it an ideal choice for various recipes. Due to its wide availability and affordability, all-purpose flour is often my top recommendation for creating and maintaining a sourdough starter.
Do you refrigerate sourdough starter? ›
Sourdough starter can be stored on the counter or in the refrigerator. "If you're someone who bakes sourdough bread more than a couple of times a week, keep your starter in a cool, dry place. If you don't bake every week, keep it in the refrigerator," Pellegrinelli explains.
Is it cheaper to buy or make sourdough? ›
Is It Cheaper To Make Your Own Sourdough? Yes it's cheaper to make your own sourdough at home, as oppose to buying it from a bakery.
Do you have to discard sourdough starter every time you feed it? ›
You don't have to waste flour on a daily basis if you want to maintain a sourdough starter. By adjusting how much you feed your starter and by choosing discard recipes, you don't have to discard your sourdough starter daily.
How many days does a sourdough starter need? ›
The general rule of thumb is that it takes about 10-14 days to develop a starter strong enough to rise a loaf. Experienced sourdough aficionados may be able to bake with a new starter in as few as five days. And, for less experienced bakers who struggle with the process, it may take up to 30 days.
How to tell if sourdough starter is bad? ›
Typical signs of food spoilage and mold include pink, orange, or green colors, white fuzzy spots, or sometimes areas that are darker with white areas on top. If you see any of these signs, I would recommend throwing your starter away and creating a new one.
Which supermarket has the best sourdough bread? ›
Six of the best...
- Waitrose San Francisco Sourdough Style Bloomer. Looking like a ciabatta, it's got a baguette-like crust and little salt. ...
- Marks & Spencer. Contains yeast and is very sweet although it's got more bounce than the Sainsburys loaf. ...
- Bertinet Bakery. A robust crumb. ...
- Aldi. ...
- Sainsbury's Taste the difference. ...
- Jasons.
ALDI has “real” sourdough bread (no yeast). Being somewhat gluten intolerant, I have found “real” sourdough works for me, no bloating etc. The loaves...
What is the healthiest sourdough bread? ›
“The whole-grain sourdoughs have more fiber, protein and micronutrients, making them more filling and healthier for you overall,” says Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and nutrition editor at TODAY.com. When choosing a sourdough loaf, look for ones that have whole wheat, spelt or rye, Rizzo adds.
How do you activate a store bought sourdough starter? ›
Drop a spoonful of it in a glass of water. If it floats, you're ready! If it doesn't float after 24 hours, add more flour and water (equal parts), stir again, and wait. If you aren't seeing any action after another 12 hours, discard most of it, and add more flour and water (equal parts), stir, and wait.
How to use store-bought sourdough starter? ›
New Methodology
- Add packet of starter to 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon water in a quart-size glass jar and stir thoroughly. ...
- After 12-24 hours, feed the starter with an additional 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons water. ...
- After 12-24 hours, feed the starter with an additional ¼ cup of flour and ¼ cup water.
Those need to be "burped" (opened) regularly to let gas out. What is this? Sourdough starter can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. If you're feeding and making bread with your starter regularly (once a week or so) you can leave it out at room temperature.
Is making your own sourdough starter better than buying one? ›
If you are new to sourdough baking or don't have the time or inclination to make your own starter, a bought starter may be a good option. However, if you enjoy the process of creating your own starter and want more control over the fermentation process, making your own starter may be the way to go.
