What is a Sourdough Starter?

A sourdough starter is a mixture of flour and water that is used to make sourdough bread. It is made by feeding your starter equal parts of wheat flour and water, which is left to ferment in a clean jar. The starter is then used in place of store-bought commercial yeast to leaven bread dough through the process of fermentation by wild yeasts. The starter also adds flavor, texture, and a unique aroma to the bread. Sourdough bread is made by combining the starter with bread flour, salt, and water to form a dough. Rye flour, Spelt flour, all-purpose white flour and whole wheat flour can also be used to bake sourdough bread. The dough is then kneaded, shaped, and left to rise. After the bread is baked, the starter is used again for the next batch of bread.

The benefits of using Symbiota's sourdough starter?

Symbiota's sourdough starter is ancient and mature. This increases the depth of flavour and the diversity of probiotic bacteria in comparison to newly created starters. Our already live, active and well-nourished starter takes all the hassle and guesswork of trying to get one started at home. Once you receive your starter, feed it a couple of times per day and it will be ready to bake within a 1-3 days. Once you have baked with it, you can place the starter in the fridge to lessen feeding times.

Our sourdough starters take well to lots of different flours. In house they are fed mostly organic stone ground flour and organic white spelt flour but you can titrate this starter onto a flour of your choice. This product contains wheat & gluten.

What do I receive in my sourdough starter purchase?

• 4-6 heaped TBS of Live sourdough starter or the equivalent in dried
• Sourdough Starter Recipe and Instructions
• Aftersales support

An organic sourdough option is now available, please select from the dropdown options. 

Alternatively, check out our Starter Sourdough Kit with everything you need to get started. These make wonderful gifts!

****Note:

• Please use an urban address where possible.
• Live and Active Starters are couriered out on Mondays & Tuesdays.