Day 7 of Rehydrating my Sourdough Starter

Описание: 🍞 Rehydrating a dried sourdough starter — what I’ve learned

It’s been a while since I worked with sourdough… but this little reactivation has reminded me why I love it so much.

Here’s what this process taught me 👇

1️⃣ Slow doesn’t mean weak
A dried starter takes time to rebuild its yeast population. Bubbling, smells, and eventual rise all count as progress.

2️⃣ Wholemeal flour = strength, not speed
Wholemeal ferments more slowly, but it builds a resilient, flavourful starter. Patience pays off.

3️⃣ More starter, not more food
This was my biggest learning.
Instead of constantly increasing the feed ratio, increasing the amount of starter kept helped build momentum.

4️⃣ Consistency - constant changing
Sticking with the same feed for a few days helped her stabilise and strengthen.

5️⃣ Warmth matters
Cold, rainy days = slower rise. Temperature can change everything without touching the ratios.

6️⃣ Smell tells the story
Vinegary, tangy, slightly sweet = activity. Trust your senses.

7️⃣ Discard doesn’t need to be waste
From garden fertiliser to compost boosters — sourdough truly is a circular kitchen process 🌱

By Day 6 she was doubling in ~9 hours — slow, steady, and alive.

🥖 What I’d do next time (rehydrating guide)
Day 0–1
• Start small: ~5g dried starter
• 20–25g flour
• 25g chlorine-free warm water
• Thick porridge consistency
• Cover loosely, rest 24 hrs

Days 2–4
• Discard half
• Keep feeds gentle (1:1:1)
• Focus on smell + bubbles, not rise
• Feed once daily

Days 5–7
• Keep more starter each feed
• Slightly reduce dilution if needed such as 40g:30g:30g
• Maintain warmth
• Feed consistently until doubling reliably

No forcing. No rushing.
Just supporting the natural rhythm.

If you’ve ever rehydrated a starter — or want to — save this post and check out the series for my step by ateps 💛

And if you’re here for the slow, seasonal, from-scratch way of doing things… welcome.

Natural Companion, Sourdough Starter, Rehydrating Sourdough, Slow Fermentation, Wholemeal Sourdough, from Scratch Living, Kitchen To Garden, Fermentation Magic, Waste Nothing



If you'd like to Make Your Own Sourdough Starter from scratch you can do so here 👇

https://store.aleyyoung.com/b/aM1kQ