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Showerthought: I realized my sourdough starter is basically a tiny roommate
About three years ago, I was living in a tiny apartment in Chicago and decided to try making my own sourdough. I named the starter Fred. I had to feed Fred, keep him warm, and plan my baking around his schedule. It felt like a chore at first. But last week, I forgot to feed him for two days before a big bake. I was sure he was dead. I gave him a scoop of fresh flour and some warm water, and by the next morning he was bubbling like crazy. It hit me then that this thing has its own life, and it's tough. It's not just a recipe step, it's a living thing you're taking care of. Has anyone else had a starter come back from the brink like that?
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angelabaker7mo ago
My friend's starter got left in a cold car overnight and looked totally flat. Two feeds later it was rising like nothing happened.
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roberts.claire7mo ago
Actually that's pretty normal for a cold starter. The yeast just goes dormant in the cold, it doesn't die. Letting it warm up and giving it fresh food wakes it right back up. I mean, it's a relief when it bounces back so fast. Makes you realize how tough those little microbes really are.
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oliver_mitchell6mo ago
Honestly it's more about the bacteria waking up than the yeast.
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