Questions on New England Sourdough Starter

Sort by Date Helpfulness

• From Jennifer at 7/7/11 5:30 PM
  • I know this starter culture is meant for white flour, but can you use it in wheat as well? Thanks!
  • You can convert any sourdough starter to thrive on a different flour than it was grown with. It takes a few days, and basically you just do your regular feedings with the new flour until it is converted.
    
    You wouldn't use the same starter to go back and forth though. You could divide your starter, and keep two sets going at the same time if you like to bake with different kinds of flours.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Julie at 1/17/12 5:17 PM
  • So do you use white all-purpose flour or what kind of flour can I use. Can I grind my own soft wheat flour for it?
    Thanks
  • Each sourdough starter is created for a specific type flour. We recommend activating your starter using that specific flour (whole wheat, white, rye, etc). Once your starter is established, you can switch flour.
    
    Feeding your sourdough culture with freshly ground flour is problematic as sourdough culture prefers aged flour. Therefore we recommend placing your freshly ground flour in a bowl on the counter covered lightly with a dish towel for several weeks before using it to feed your sourdough culture. Once it is time to bake bread, you can use freshly ground flour as the flour portion of the bread recipe.
    
    More information can be found at http://www.culturesforhealth.com/sourdough.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Jen at 2/17/12 6:36 AM
  • The second time I added flour to the starter to activate it- nothing happened! I followed the instructions carefully. It is warm, but not too warm. It has been 12 hours. Should I wait longer? There is one or two bubbles on top, but it has not doubled in size at all! On top is a thin watery liquid and the flour is on the bottom of the bowl.
  • It can take some time to activate the starter, just keep on your feeding schedule, stir well to get a lot of air in at feeding time and be patient. : ) The layer of liquid usually indicates that the starter is getting hungry so be sure to stay on your feeding schedule even if the starter doesn't double in size or have lots of bubbles.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From JENNEY at 2/18/12 3:44 PM
  • I am looking for a good sandwich style bread. I had a different sour dough starter I got from a friend and altho it made good bread, it was too airy for sandwiches. Does this, or another kind, make a good sandwich style bread?
  • Our Ischia sourdough starter is a great choice for making sandwich bread.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Dave N at 6/24/12 12:31 AM
  • 24oz. is a lot of starter. do you use the whole package or only part.directions on package?
  • It's actually .24 oz., about 2-1/4 teaspoons. Each package of starter is meant to start one batch of sourdough.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Dave N at 6/24/12 12:39 AM
  • Do you use the whole 24 oz. of starter at one time?
  • Yes, each packet of starter (.24 oz., or about 2-1/2 teaspoons) is meant to start one batch of sourdough.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Ashley at 1/5/13 6:19 PM
  • Can I use sprouted flour?
  • Absolutely!
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Heather at 5/2/13 8:42 PM
  • I have never made bread before. I love sourdough bread but like to be able to taste the sourness in it. What would be the best starter to use for that and for someone making bread for the first time (you know, something not to complicated. If that is possible)?
  • The sourness of the bread depends on how you handle it. For more information see this article:
    http://www.culturesforhealth.com/how-to-make-truly-sour-sourdough-bread
    
    The New England Sourdough Starter is a great choice for beginners. Be sure to see the other sourdough articles in our knowledge base:
    http://www.culturesforhealth.com/sourdough
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No
• From Jill at 5/11/13 8:53 AM
  • Can I use this for pizza crust as well? I would like to find one starter to use for a variety of things, such as bread, pancakes and pizza crust.
  • Absolutely! This is a very versatile starter and will work well for a variety of things.
  • Do you find this question helpful?  Yes   No

Ask Your Own Question