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Frequently Asked Sourdough Questions

Q: I am having trouble following the instructions for baking sourdough bread. It is in the fridge now; do I take it all out and feed all of it? Only take out the amount asked for in the recipe and feed that?
   A: The basic idea is to keep your starter well fed, ready for use and uncontaminated with other recipe ingredients. Here is a good way to accomplish this goal.  (Be careful to not add any ingredients other than flour and water before returning the mixture back to the master sourdough container.)

1. Take your master container with the Gold Rush Sourdough Starter from the Fridge and place it on the kitchen counter. Loosen the lid or cover so it can breathe fresh air. 

2. Let the starter warm up on its own to room temperature. 

3. Dump the entire contents of the starter into a large bowl. (This gives you an opportunity to clean and dry the original starter container) 

4. Add three cups of water and flour to the large bowl with the sourdough starter. Stir thoroughly. 

5. Allow starter to proof. Wait until bubbles appear and you begin to smell that yeasty aroma 

6. Stir thoroughly and pour some of this mixture back into the master sourdough container. Return the master sourdough container back into the fridge. 

7. Use what you need for your recipe from the large bowl. 

Q: I followed my directions exactly, and to my disappointment, after 24 hours, the starter failed to react. It looks and smells like flour and water.
   A: Our starter does not stick to any sort of exact schedule. If the weather outside is changing, or cold, or humid, the starter may react differently than predicted. Continue twice-daily feedings for up to four days.  If at this time, there is still no action, and the sponge has been in a constantly warm environment, contact GoldRush to buy a fresh starter packet.
 

Q: I just started your sourdough starter and it does not smell very sour. I baked a loaf of bread, and it lacked "tang".  Should I toss it and start fresh? Can I add something to help it along?
   A: Some companies add a sour flavor to their starter to carry it through during the beginning feedings as the sour develops through vigilant feedings. GoldRush however, does not add any such flavorings. The sour will develop nicely with care and time.  The more time you spend with your starter, leaving at room temperature and twice-daily feedings, the faster it moves to the sour stage. Do not toss it, the loaf was successful, so the sponge is active, just keep with it and it will pay off.
 

Q: I have just started the starter, it’s been 24 hours. Can I continue to leave out the sponge and feed it every 6’– 8 hours? How long can I leave it out without putting it in the refrigerator? When should I feed it again after the first feeding?

   A: You can leave your starter out and never put it into the refrigerator as long as you feed it daily. The refrigerator acts as a place for your starter to 'rest' as it goes dormant once it reaches the colder temperatures.

Sourdough Kit $39.95

OUT OF STOCK! Everything you need to start and maintain your own sourdough bakery for years to come. The new Deluxe Sourdough Bakery Kit includes our San Francisco Sourdough Starter with instructions and care information, a one and a half quart storage crock with snap-on lid to house your starter, a nylon whisk for mixing, linen lined bakery grade proofing basket used to shape loaves and create great crust, the French Bakers Blade used to add functional and decorative designs prior to baking, and the 32 page recipe book Baking with Sourdough filled with recipes for breads, biscuits and much more.

Goldrush Sourdough Starter $4.95

The Sourdough Starter (Saccharomyces exiguus and Lactobacillus San Francisco) is the secret to high quality, high nutrition great tasting baked goods. Commercial bread yeasts are processed, artificial substitutes for the real thing. A quality sourdough starter is a living, breathing thing. A single starter can last a lifetime with the proper care. With sourdough your breads, biscuits and muffins will rise higher, have better texture and taste fantastic.