Reviving Your Sourdough Starter "Bonnie"

Tools and Ingredients:

·  Dried sourdough starter

·  Unbleached, white flour (all-purpose or bread flour) 

·  Room temperature water

·  Glass or plastic jar with parchment paper lid +elastic

·  Basic Kitchen Scale

Revival Instructions

Day 1 – Morning: 

Place 5 grams of dried sourdough starter in a glass jar. Add 50 grams of water. Stir until the dehydrated starter is completely submerged in the water.

Allow this mixture to sit for a few minutes to absorb the water.

Next, add 20 grams of flour and stir until well mixed.

Note: We’re using slightly more water than flour in this first feeding, a more hydrated starter allows for the yeast and bacteria to develop faster.

Cover with a lid and store at room temperature for 24 hours.

Day 2 – Morning: 

Take out 10 grams of your starter mixture and add it to a clean jar. Next, combine the 10g of starter with 25g of flour, and 25g of water. Mix until well combined. Cover with a lid and store at room temperature for 24 hours. 

Day 3 – Morning: 

The mixture will probably look smooth and thin in texture. The mixture won’t look lively yet but you may notice a few bubbles. 

Repeat steps from Day 2.

Day 4– Morning: 

There won’t be many changes from yesterday other than a few more bubbles.

Repeat steps from Day 2.

Day 4 – Evening: 

About 12 hours later, you’ll notice the starter has slightly grown. There will be many bubbles on the surface and sides of the jar. 

Continue storing at room temperature.

Day 5– Morning: 

You’ll notice your starter has bubbles and looks alive! There will be small and big bubbles not only on top but under the surface of the mixture (by looking at the side of the glass jar). At this point, you can start baking with the starter.

Now that your starter is revived, you can increase your feeding ratios to have enough starter to bake with.

Note: If on city water supply, consider using filtered or bottled water to exclude chlorine traces which can kill your starter.

Note: Wild yeast prefers warmer temperatures. The ideal kitchen temperature is around 76°F/24°C. If you’re dealing with cooler temperatures in your kitchen, your sourdough starter will take longer to develop. Some ovens will have a proof setting that can be used during the revival process.

Happy Baking!

-Bonfirehillfarm