Saving sourdough starter in case of a sourdough emergency became sadly evident to me more than once during my sourdough journey. Thankfully not all of these happened to me, but they have to many others, which is why I’m here to help and inform. I’m no expert, but I speak from what I have learned along the way.
Sourdough emergencies could consist of…
- Accidently using all of your sourdough starter while baking away
- Mold formed in or on your starter
- It became contaminated by gnats/fruit flies or other insects
- Your starter just died for 1 reason or another-sadly, it happens
- Your starter met a sad demise during an oven preheat-where it was residing with the oven light on to keep warm
- An accidental container drop to the floor that resulted in shattered glass and shattered sourdough dreams
- Or, on a good note…perhaps you’d like to create extra starter for a friend
Creating extra starter is really easy to do and thankfully there is more than one way to do so.
- Dry or dehydrate some of your current starter
- Freeze some of your current starter
- Create a new starter by using your sourdough discard
Details for all 3 ways below.
How to create a new sourdough starter using your current starter…
Drying Sourdough Starter
Saving sourdough starter is really easy just by drying or dehydrating it. All you have to do is take a silicone spatula and spread a thin even layer of your sourdough starter onto a piece of parchment paper. Allow to air dry-at least overnight and sometimes longer depending on the temperature and humidity in your home and the thickness of the spread.
When it is completely dry, it will break and flake off of the parchment paper.
Carefully curl the paper up, crushing the pieces of dried sourdough starter and pour/slide them into a zip top bag or a sealable container. You can crush the pieces more by hand or put them into a coffee grinder or food processor, if you would like. I personally, just crush the pieces by hand in the parchment paper. The dried starter can then be stored for a long time in a dark, dry place until needed.
You can also use your dehydrator (if you have one) to dry some of your sourdough starter as well. Just follow the directions for your machine, as if you were drying fruit leather.
Freezing Sourdough Starter
Freezing sourdough starter is also very easy. Just scoop portions of the sourdough starter and deposit them into an instant pot egg bite mold. Cover and freeze until solid. Then remove each little “puck” (so to speak) from the mold. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place into a zip top bag and freeze until needed.
If you don’t have an instant pot egg bite mold, you can use any silicone mold that you do have. Just make sure it is clean.
Using Sourdough Discard To Create A New Starter
Yes folks, this is another option for you if needed. Sourdough discard is basically an unfed starter from when you discard some starter before feeding. Keep your discard in the refrigerator to use for various sourdough discard recipes (most of the time bringing to room temperature before using).
You can use that discard to create a new starter. Just remove 30 – 50 grams of discard to a separate jar. Feed it equal amounts of unbleached flour and non-chlorinated water. Continue as you would your normal starter-until it is bubbly and doubled. Give it a couple of days of good feedings to be sure it is ready to bake with.
Taaa Daaah…That’s it! Extra sourdough starter at the ready in case of an emergency or to give as a gift.
I can honestly tell you, that I have both dried and frozen sourdough on hand just in case. And I always have discard at the ready…unless I’m doing a lot of baking and lost track of my supply! LOL!!
Supporting A Small Sourdough Business
Now that I’ve shown you how to save your own sourdough starter. If you didn’t, (for whatever reason) and you need to replenish your sourdough starter…don’t panic. Or if you are just starting your sourdough journey…This is the very best way to get a tried and true, absolutely fabulous and well established sourdough starter in dried form. The Sour Texan was the source to start my sourdough journey! Just contact Taylor in her Etsy shop and use this link to order some for you or as gifts for others…
Tell Taylor that Chauncey sent you!! I receive no commission or monetary reward for the referral. I just want her to know that I care and love helping small businesses!
And be sure to follow her and all her delicious sourdough creations on Instagram at… https://www.instagram.com/sourtexan?igsh=NWZtaWpjdXYxeWsy
Well folks, those are the simple and easy ways to save your sourdough starter in case of an emergency. And an even easier way to order more! I hope this helps you and that you are enjoying your sourdough journey as much as I am mine.
Take Care, Be Kind and Be Happy!
Hugs,
Chauncey
For more about my sourdough journey, check this out…https://frugalanddelicious.com/my-frugal-and-delicious-journey-with-sourdough/
