Let's test the 1:1:1 method for Sourdough Starter
🧪 My Sourdough Experiment: Testing the 1:1:1 Starter Method (From Day 2) If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by sourdough… same. 😅 There are a MILLION methods, rules, and “you must do it this way or else” people. So instead of overcomplicating it, I’m testing a simple, beginner-friendly method for my very first sourdough starter: 👉 The 1:1:1 Method That means: 1 part starter 1 part flour 1 part water In my case, I’m starting tiny: 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon water And each day, I feed it using the same ratio. 🧠 What does 1:1:1 actually mean? It’s a balanced feeding ratio. You are giving the yeast and bacteria: Enough fresh food (flour) Enough hydration (water) Without drowning them or overfeeding them This creates a stable, predictable environment for fermentation. Instead of throwing away cups of flour every day, we’re: ✅ Keeping it small ✅ Keeping it simple ✅ Keeping it no-waste 🥖 Why am I using this for my VERY FIRST starter? Because: I want to learn how the starter behaves I want to see the changes day by day I don’t want to waste flour I want something easy to maintain long-term And I want to prove you do NOT need complicated ratios to succeed Once this is strong and active, you can scale it up anytime. 🔬 What are we watching for? This is the important part. DO NOT focus on time. Focus on signs. Here’s what we’re looking for over the next days: 👀 Visual Signs: Bubbles forming (small at first, then bigger) The texture getting lighter and more airy Eventually: rising in the jar 👃 Smell: At first: might smell weird, sour, or even funky (normal!) Then: starts smelling more like yeast / bread / tangy 📈 Growth: In the beginning: maybe no rise Then: slight rise Eventually: doubling in size within 4–8 hours after feeding That’s when it’s becoming active and usable. ⚠️ Important Beginner Notes Thickness matters more than exact measurements 👉 You want a thick pancake batter / paste consistency If it’s too thick → add a little water If it’s too runny → add a little flour