How often should I feed a new sourdough starter, and what does a typical feeding schedule look like?

Question

How often should you feed a new sourdough starter? Learn about the typical feeding schedule required to build strength in a young, active culture.

Answer 1

A new sourdough starter should be fed every 12-24 hours during its initial establishment phase (typically 1-2 weeks). A typical feeding schedule involves discarding a portion of the starter and then adding equal parts flour and water.

Detailed Explanation:

Establishing a sourdough starter is a process that requires consistent feeding to encourage the growth of beneficial yeasts and bacteria. Here's a breakdown of the feeding schedule:

1. Initial Phase (Days 1-7): During the first week, feed your starter every 24 hours. This allows the microorganisms to multiply and become more active. You might not see much activity initially, but consistent feeding is crucial.
2. Transition Phase (Days 7-14): As your starter becomes more active (showing signs of rising and falling), you can start feeding it every 12 hours. This provides the microorganisms with more frequent nourishment and encourages faster growth.
3. Maintenance Phase (After 2 Weeks): Once your starter is consistently doubling in size within 4-8 hours after feeding, it's considered mature. You can then reduce the feeding frequency to once a day or even less if you store it in the refrigerator.

A typical feeding process involves:

1. Discarding: Discard a portion of your starter, usually down to about 25-50% of its original volume. This prevents the starter from becoming too large and ensures the microorganisms have fresh food.
2. Feeding: Add equal parts (by weight) of flour and water to the remaining starter. For example, if you have 50g of starter, add 50g of flour and 50g of water.
3. Mixing: Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
4. Resting: Cover the starter loosely and let it rest at room temperature until it doubles in size.

Pro Tip:

Use filtered or non-chlorinated water when feeding your starter. Chlorine can inhibit the growth of the beneficial microorganisms.