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Stretchy webs of an actively fermenting sourdough starter pulled up as the lid is lifted from its container
Desi

Sourdough Starter From Scratch

A complete guide to building a sourdough starter from scratch in a hot, humid kitchen, judged by real rise-and-fall behavior, not a fixed day count.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Rest / Ferment (6 days or more) 6 days
Total Time 6 days 10 minutes
Servings: 150 g active starter
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 83
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g (¾ cup + 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp) Caputo Chef 00 flour, for Day 1
  • 100 g (6 Tbsp + 2 tsp) filtered water, lukewarm, for Day 1
  • 50 g (6 Tbsp + 2 tsp) Caputo Chef 00 flour, for each daily feeding after Day 1
  • 50 g (3 Tbsp + 1 tsp) filtered water, lukewarm, for each daily feeding after Day 1

Equipment

  • A rubber band
  • A loose-fitting lid, plastic cap, or plastic bag
  • A spoon or small spatula
  • Clean glass jar (pint-sized)
  • Kitchen scale

Method
 

  1. Day 1: Mix 100 g lukewarm filtered water with 100 g flour into a thick, shaggy batter. Cover loosely and mark the level with a rubber band.
  2. Rest on the counter, undisturbed, for 24 hours.
  3. Day 2: Discard all but 50 g. Feed with 50 g water and 50 g flour, mix well, cover loosely.
  4. Days 3 and 4: Repeat the same discard and feed daily. First activity often shows around Day 3, though this can vary with the temperature, humidity, and flour in your kitchen.
  5. Watch for the first real rise against the rubber band, with small bubbles on top and along the sides of the jar. One strong rise does not mean the starter is ready.
  6. Keep repeating the daily discard and feed (50 g starter, 50 g water, 50 g flour) until the starter doubles or more and holds active bubbles for 3 consecutive days.
  7. Once ready, use a portion of it for your first bake. Leave some starter in the jar.
  8. Feed what is left if you will bake again soon, or refrigerate it, covered.

Notes

Built for hot, humid kitchens. Expect earlier activity than tutorials written for cooler climates. Ready is defined by behavior, a strong, bubbly rise held for 3 consecutive days, not by a set day count.