5 Sourdough Bread and Starter Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier

Sourdough is a hobby that can be as complex as you make it. Put forth a little effort, an edible loaf can be produced, with a little more effort, flavor can develop. Here are five things I wish I knew when I started making sourdough starter and bread.

Sourdough starter after it has been fed.

1. You can make your own starter but it is a whole lot easier to buy one — It can take 7–10 days to make a starter and if conditions are not ideal, it can be difficult. If you are looking to start baking right away, local baking stores may have starters for purchase or there are starters online for as little as 5 dollars.
2. Use the starter at the peak or just after — Starter should be used when it is bubbly and active. It takes 6–12 hours for starter to be ready after feeding. The environment the jar is in will affect how quick it will grow, a warm environment will take less time to reach the peak than a colder environment. The ratio of starter to water and flour will also affect grow time. To test if the starter is ready place a small dollop size amount in a bowl of water, if it floats, it is ready to bake with.
3. When scoring a sourdough loaf right before baking, hold your razor at a 45 degree angle to the bread — For the longest time I could not figure out why I could never get a smooth cut on my loaf of bread. It was because of the angle of my blade. While the loaf will still taste scrumptious whether the cuts on top are purposeful or not, it was a tip that helped me conquer a learning curve.
4. Make sure you are not skimping out on the salt — Salt equals flavor. One time I thought I was putting too much salt so I did not trust my scale. The loaf of bread I made was a little bland but the only thing that changed was the amount of salt. If your scale is small, measure ingredients out in smaller bowls first before throwing it all into one big bowl, this ensures accuracy.
5. Get creative, you can make anything out of sourdough starter — the possibilities are plenty: crackers, pancakes, bread, bagels, cinnamon rolls, english muffins, etc. Add any spices or flavors to breads for endless variety and have fun!

Below are some things I have made and let me tell you, it was totally worth the effort. Tag me in your photos so I can see what you have made with sourdough!

Sourdough Pizza

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Sourdough Bread Loaf