Sourdough Starter 100% Hydration

Easy 100% Hydration Sourdough Starter Recipe:

Ready to dive into the world of sourdough baking? You'll need a rock-solid sourdough starter to kick things off. This 100% hydration sourdough starter recipe is your ticket to tangy, flavorful bread that'll have everyone begging for more. Let's get started!

Ingredients:

100g all-purpose flour

100g water (at room temperature)

Instructions:

Day 1: Creating the Starter

Mix Flour and Water: In a clean glass jar or container, combine 100g of all-purpose flour with 100g of room temperature water. Stir until well combined, ensuring there are no dry spots of flour remaining.

Initial Feeding: Cover the jar loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the mixture sit at room temperature (ideally between 70-75°F or 21-24°C) for 24 hours. During this time, wild yeast from the environment will begin to colonize the flour-water mixture.

 

Day 2: First Feeding

Check for Bubbles: After 24 hours, check the starter for signs of activity. You should see small bubbles forming on the surface and throughout the mixture. This indicates that fermentation has begun.

First Feeding: Discard half of the starter (approximately 100g) to reduce the overall volume. Then, add another 100g of all-purpose flour and 100g of room temperature water to the remaining starter. Stir until well combined, ensuring the consistency is smooth.

Second Fermentation: Cover the jar again and let the starter sit at room temperature for another 24 hours. Repeat this feeding process every 24 hours until the starter is consistently doubling in volume within 6-8 hours of feeding. This may take anywhere from 5 to 10 days, depending on environmental factors and the activity of wild yeast in your area.

Day X: Ready to Bake!

Perform the Float Test: To ensure your starter is ready to use, perform the float test. Drop a small spoonful of the starter into a glass of room temperature water. If it floats, it's ready to go! If it sinks, continue feeding the starter for another day or two and test again.

Maintenance Feeding: Once your starter is active and ready, you can transition to a maintenance feeding schedule. Store the starter in the refrigerator between feedings, removing it 1-2 times per week to discard half and feed with equal parts flour and water. This will keep your starter healthy and ready to use whenever you're craving freshly baked sourdough bread.

Congratulations, you've just created your own 100% hydration sourdough starter! Get ready to embark on a delicious journey of sourdough baking adventures.