🍞 Sourdough Starter Basics (Beginner-Friendly)
Making sourdough doesn’t have to be intimidating. This walkthrough breaks it down step by step and proves that anyone can do this with just two ingredients and a little patience.
🧪 What You’ll Learn
How to make a sourdough starter from scratch
Why starter intimidates people — and why it shouldn’t
Exactly what to do each day (Days 1–7)
How to tell when your starter is ready to bake
Common mistakes that slow things down
🧰 What You Need
🌾 Flour (whole wheat or rye to start, then all-purpose)
💧 Water (filtered, room temp)
⚖️ Digital kitchen scale (highly recommended)
🫙 Jar with a loose-fitting lid (mason jar or Weck jar)
📅 The Process (Simple Breakdown)
Day 1: Mix flour + water, mark the level, let it rest
Days 2–3: Watch for bubbles and first signs of life
Days 3–6: Daily feedings, discard half, steady growth
Day 7: Starter doubles, smells good, passes the float test
👃 Signs It’s Ready
Lots of bubbles
Doubles (or more) in size
Smells pleasantly sour
Floats in water after feeding
🧠 Why This Matters for Preparedness
Sourdough starter is:
Shelf-stable
Low-cost
Made from basics
A skill you keep for life
This is one of those quiet, practical skills that builds real resilience.
💬 Community Question
Have you tried making sourdough before — or is this on your “learn this year” list?
Any tips, fails, or wins to share?