All About Sour Dough .

[Jamberie]

Probably too thick now Jamberie, we stir the liquid back into the starter before feeding it but our resident experts will be sure to answer your questions better than me.

Yes, I was worried about that Judy, but there was just so much liquid, even when I stirred it through it kept separating. Lucily enough I think we saved it in time. I've taken Chookie's advice and stirred and fed and it really keeps growing. I am concerned that if I leave it overnight it will overflow, it is now up to the fruit decals on the jar. Do you think overflow is possible?
I think I might transfer it to a larger jar before I go to bed tonight just to be sure.

[troupie]

Wow! your sour dough starter sounds good; I must get cracking and start another one as I really miss this type of bread.

[achookwoman]

Jam , sounds like you have it under control.
My 'Cherokee' starter is kept in a very large glass jar with a clip on lid. I keep it only 1/2 full and when I want to make bread I leave it on the bench and feed it.  Because it is a strong and large I can give it a cup at a time, that is a cup of water and a cup of flour.
The longer you keep it the stronger it will get. All starter have a slightly different flavour.
Once it is working well and with storage it will develop the liquid Judy was talking about, you can  tip this out or stir  back in.  I stir back in.
Sounds like you will be ready to make a loaf very soon. 
Again good luck.

[troupie]

I have just sterilized a jar and am ready to make some new starter; I hope the weather here is not too hot to put it outside to catch the yeast.

[Jamberie]

I last fed it this morning and it is separating again....is this ok?
Oh and my sister came to visit so I showed her my new baby and said "oh so that's what the gross (yeasty) smell is in your house"!!!

[achookwoman]

Great comment from your sister. ,!
Next time you feed it give it just flour.  It needs feeding .  You should see yeasty bubbles in a soft doughy mix.

[Jamberie]

Great comment from your sister. ,!
Next time you feed it give it just flour.  It needs feeding .  You should see yeasty bubbles in a soft doughy mix.

Thanks Chookie, that sounds like great advice (as always!!). It was going really well yesteerday witht the humid weather, but now we have had a cool change it has slowed down dramatically. I'm learning to roll with it 

[achookwoman]

Jam, it is quite amazing how the weather influences the starter.

[troupie]

Started my new sour dough culture this morning so hope all goes well.

[achookwoman]

Started my new sour dough culture this morning so hope all goes well.

Good luck,

[cookie1]

Ditto from here troupie. If it doesn't work, give me a yell and I'll give you some.

[troupie]

Thanks Cookie; I will remember as you are only a short drive away.

[troupie]

Had to throw the starter out as it was smelling bad; probably too hot for it this week.

[cookie1]

It certainly has had a few warm days.

[achookwoman]

That is a shame Troupie.   A lady was telling me at the weekend that she caught her yeast bug by putting her jar under an Elder tree when it was in flower. She said it is a very sweet starter.