Stretch & FoldNo kneading. Just stretch, fold, and let go.What You DoTake the side of the dough furthest from you, gently pull it upwards and towards you, then fold it over the rest of the dough.Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat. Usually four times around, until you are back where you started.That is…
AutolyseFlour and water. Nothing else. Left alone for a little while.What Autolyse IsBefore the starter and salt are added, you mix only flour and water. Let the mixture rest for twenty to sixty minutes — longer for wholemeal or heavier flours.No kneading, no action. Just time.It is the quietest step in the entire process, and…
Your First Loaf, Step by StepYour first loaf does not have to be perfect. It only has to be baked. This is the route, with patience and without rushing.Day 1, Morning or Evening: Feed Your StarterGive your starter its feed and wait until it clearly reaches its peak — bubbly, risen and active. Only then…
The Full Baking Process From mixing to baking. One continuous line, spread over more than a day. Preparation: the Starter The evening, or morning, before you begin, feed your starter so it has time to become active. Bubbly, airy and clearly risen. An active starter gives your dough the best chance of rising well and…
Basic Sourdough Bread RecipeOne loaf. Four ingredients. The rest is time.Ingredients- 500 g flour- 350 g lukewarm water- 100 g active starter, at or around its peak- 12 g saltThe Rhythm of the DayMix. Combine the flour and water. Let it rest briefly. Then add the starter and salt.Fold. Four rounds of stretch and folds,…
Starter Health & SafetyA starter is a living, fermenting culture, and that naturally raises some questions: is it safe, is it healthy, and when should I really throw it away? This article brings the most important points together.When You Should Throw Away Your StarterThere is a clear difference between a starter that is hungry and…
Starter ProblemsMost starter problems fall into a handful of familiar categories. This article is designed as your first point of reference: what do you see or smell, and what does it most likely mean?My Starter Is Doing Nothing at AllNo bubbles, no increase in volume, even after several days of feeding. The most common causes…
Saving Your StarterA neglected starter can sometimes look dramatic: a layer of liquid on top, a strong, alcohol-like smell, almost no rise, and barely any activity after feeding.It often looks worse than it really is. In most cases, a starter can be brought back with a little patience.The Difference Between Hungry and SpoiledThis is the…
When You’re Away Taking Your Starter on HolidayYour starter doesn’t have to be a reason to cancel your holiday — and it certainly doesn’t mean you need to ask a neighbour to feed your jar every couple of days.With a little preparation, your starter will be perfectly fine while you’re away.For a Short Period (One…
Drying Your StarterA dried starter takes up almost no space, needs no feeding, and can wait for years until you need it again. For long-term storage — or simply as a reassuring backup — drying is one of the most reliable ways to preserve a starter.Why Dry Your Starter?The refrigerator can keep a starter going…