if you’ve ever wondered if a neglected sourdough starter can come back to life, you’re not alone. listen you can absolutely revive your neglected sourdough starter. recently, i had an adventure with my sourdough starter that had been sitting on the counter for over a month without being fed. this post will show you how i revived my starter and how you can do the same if you’re in a similar situation. spoiler: there’s no mold, just a little neglect and a lot of love.
what happens when a sourdough starter is left unfed?
when i left my sourdough starter unattended for over a month, the last feeding had too much water. without the hardened top that usually forms to protect the starter, a dark film developed. it looked gross, but it wasn’t mold. a bit of white formed too, but there were no fuzzy spots, so the starter was still salvageable.
how i revived my neglected sourdough starter
to revive my sourdough starter, i carefully removed the dark top layer. underneath, the base of the starter was still usable. i fed it with freshly milled rye flour to kickstart its activity. rye flour is amazing for sourdough because of its high nutrient and enzyme content.
that same night, my sourdough starter doubled in size. it became active and bubbly again. this transformation reminded me how resilient sourdough starters are.
the second feeding: adding turkey red wheat
the next day, i fed the starter again. this time, i used a mix of rye flour and freshly milled turkey red wheat flour. the result? a super active and bubbly starter, ready to bake bread. there was no mold or weird smells—just a healthy and thriving sourdough starter.
key tips for reviving your sourdough starter
if your sourdough starter has been neglected, here are some tips to bring it back:
- inspect the starter: check for mold. if there’s just a dark film or liquid separation (hooch), it’s likely still safe.
- remove the top layer: peel off any discolored top layer to reveal the healthy starter underneath.
- choose the right flour: rye flour works wonders for reviving starters because of its nutrients.
- be patient: your starter might not bounce back immediately. keep feeding it consistently.
- feed regularly: once your starter is active again, feed it often to maintain its strength.
what if you run out of sourdough starter?
don’t worry if you have only the tiniest bit of starter left. sourdough is incredibly resilient, and even a small amount can be revived with proper care. check out my you only need the tiniest bit of starter blog post to learn how to stretch a small amount into a thriving culture.
why use rye and turkey red wheat?
rye flour provides the nutrients sourdough cultures need to thrive. turkey red wheat, a heritage grain, adds a unique flavor and helps create a strong and active starter. this combination worked perfectly for my neglected starter and can work for yours too.
linking back to sourdough and bread
if you’re new to sourdough or want to learn how to make a starter, check out my how to make sourdough starter blog post. once your starter is ready, try it in my favorite bread recipe for the ultimate sourdough experience.
final thoughts
reviving a neglected sourdough starter is easier than you think. with care, the right flour, and patience, your starter can go from lifeless to lively. whether you’re baking bread or trying new recipes, keeping your sourdough starter healthy ensures it’s always ready for your next baking adventure.
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