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Easy 7-Day Homemade Sourdough Starter for Perfect Bread

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A foolproof 7-day method to create a bubbly, active sourdough starter from scratch using just flour and water. Perfect for beginners, this guide walks you through each day with tips for success.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 100 grams whole wheat flour or rye flour (for first feeding)
  • Unbleached all-purpose flour (for daily feedings)
  • Filtered or bottled water, lukewarm (70°F to 75°F)
  • Unbleached bread flour (optional, for later feedings)
  • Organic flour (optional)

Instructions

  1. Day 1: Combine 100 grams whole wheat or rye flour with 120 grams lukewarm filtered water in a jar. Stir until no dry flour remains. Cover loosely and place in a warm spot (70°F to 75°F). Mark the height with a rubber band.
  2. Day 2: Discard half the mixture (about 100 grams). Feed with 100 grams unbleached all-purpose flour and 100 grams lukewarm water. Stir, mark height, and cover.
  3. Day 3: Discard half, feed with 100 grams flour and 100 grams water. Stir, mark, and cover. Expect a funky smell and bubbles.
  4. Day 4: Discard half, feed with 100 grams flour and 100 grams water. Starter should double in volume within 12 hours.
  5. Day 5: Feed twice daily (morning and evening). Each feeding: discard half, then add 100 grams flour and 100 grams water. Starter should peak within 6-8 hours.
  6. Day 6: Continue feeding twice daily. Starter should double or triple in volume within 4-6 hours and smell pleasantly sour.
  7. Day 7: Feed one last time in the morning. Within 4-6 hours, starter should be bubbly, doubled, and pass the float test (a spoonful floats in water). Ready to use or store.

Notes

Temperature is crucial: keep starter between 70°F and 75°F. Don’t skip the discard step—it maintains the right yeast-bacteria balance. Use filtered water to avoid chlorine inhibiting yeast. If hooch (brown liquid) appears, the starter is hungry; feed immediately. For gluten-free version, substitute brown rice or sorghum flour. Store in fridge for weekly baking, or freeze for long-term backup.

Nutrition

Keywords: sourdough starter, homemade sourdough, 7-day starter, easy sourdough, beginner sourdough, wild yeast starter

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/easy-7-day-homemade-sourdough-starter-for-perfect-bread/