Making a sourdough starter, liquid on the top

Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
I'm using the Farmhouse on Boone recipe, with one cup flour (AP) and one cup water to feed it. It's been a week, it's doubling in size each day and has some bubbles. However about half the time there is maybe a finger of liquid on the top. Should I pour off, stir in, drink (jk)? Our house is cool, around 63 degrees. Thanks all!
 
Joined
Jun 22, 2017
Messages
4,096
Reaction score
2,087
I'm using the Farmhouse on Boone recipe, with one cup flour (AP) and one cup water to feed it. It's been a week, it's doubling in size each day and has some bubbles. However about half the time there is maybe a finger of liquid on the top. Should I pour off, stir in, drink (jk)? Our house is cool, around 63 degrees. Thanks all!


Hooch: liquid that forms on top AFTER starter has risen, bubbled a lot, and has fallen. It means it needs to be fed.



Water separation: liquid forms within the starter BEFORE it rises. It means it is weak.
 
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Hooch: liquid that forms on top AFTER starter has risen, bubbled a lot, and has fallen. It means it needs to be fed.



Water separation: liquid forms within the starter BEFORE it rises. It means it is weak.
That is so helpful, thank you! "weak" as in it's normal and growing stronger, or as in something needs to change?
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
226
I'm using the Farmhouse on Boone recipe, with one cup flour (AP) and one cup water to feed it. It's been a week, it's doubling in size each day and has some bubbles. However about half the time there is maybe a finger of liquid on the top. Should I pour off, stir in, drink (jk)? Our house is cool, around 63 degrees. Thanks all!
pour the water off and ditch it,
if you're just repleneshing , dump half the sour and replace with more water and flour.
Do it daily if possible, it takes a few days to develop, after 2 weeks of constant feeding it will really develop well and make goodt sourdough bread.
 
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Messages
26
Reaction score
11
As far as I know, as long as the liquid isn't pink, it's okay. Just stir it back in. It may look awful, but it works.
 
Joined
Jun 9, 2024
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
How is your starter going?
I'm a sourdough bread baker and teach many folks and the ingredients caught my attention. Normally, one uses equal grams, not volume measurements when making a starter and feeding it.
Say your starter called for 60 grams of water and 60 grams of flour, that's 1/2 cup of flour and only 1/4 cup of water.

That might have caused excess liquid to build up. As you feed, measure out your starter, and add equal grams of water and flour, stir and let rise till peaked. A healthy starter can eventually grow acidic so feeding 1:5:5, one part starter, five parts water, and five parts flour is a great way to give it a boost! I do that about once a month. I hope it's gotten started well for you, and you've started baking loaves!
 
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
73
Reaction score
11
Your starter sounds like it's on the right track! The liquid on top, known as "hooch," usually means it’s hungry. You can stir it back in or pour it off if there's a lot. Just make sure you're feeding it regularly, especially since your house is cooler. Keep up the good work, and your starter should keep improving!
 
Joined
Jul 31, 2024
Messages
688
Reaction score
8
It sounds like your sourdough starter is doing well with the doubling in size and bubbles. The liquid on top, known as "hooch," is a normal byproduct of fermentation. You can stir it back into the starter before your next feeding to help maintain acidity and promote yeast activity. Since your house is cool, the process might be slower, but no need to worry—just keep feeding as you are.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
6,617
Messages
48,510
Members
5,584
Latest member
Honor85

Latest Threads

Top