The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

First Artesian shopping trip & Yeast video

tea berries's picture
tea berries

First Artesian shopping trip & Yeast video

A few days ago I realized I didn't have some vital ingredients for really starting to make great bread. I promised myself I'd go on a solo shopping trip, and tracked down a great tiny organic food mart in town (in which I had a delightful conversation with the girl behind the counter who's own SD was struggling). This is what I added to my baking arsenal today:

Organic spelt flour, Organic raisins (for YW & baking), Organic wheat flour, some wheat gluten, some dry yeast (I didn't have any but I'm trying not to use it), corn meal and a baking stone.

 

Also, I noticed that my starter had passed a landmark last night, and smelled very pungent and ripe. It was a 100% rye starter at 85% hydration, so I decided now was the time to transition to a nice mix of AP/Wheat and Rye. I dumped about 70% of it, and replenished it with Non-bleached AP and yeast water. The new smell and appearance was much closer to the actual bread I've been interested in making. I drew a line on the jar where the mixture was, and went to bed. This morning, it had raised about 50% so I drew a line there and left for the day. When I returned, it was another 50% above the second line, and for the first time my SD starter officially doubled in size. I felt like throwing it a party! :

 

Now, my SD starter is roaring, smells of perfect sourdough, and my yeast water is a bubbling monster! I finally feel as though I'll be turning out my first sourdough within the next 48 hours, and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! 

Here's a short 40 second video of my SD starter and YW:

Sourdough starter & Raisin yeast water










 

I'm pushing forward, and crossing some major markers in my new bread making interests, and couldn't be happier! I've only been researching this for about 1.5 weeks… I think I started a starter (which had since died) the first day I read about this technique. :) So glad to share my journey and be part of the community! 

Comments

adri's picture
adri

I like the way you document things for us (and for yourself).

Your on a good way, I think.

I bookmarked this thread as I usually don't read the blogs, more the forum part. Good that you mentioned it over there that you move here :)

ccsdg's picture
ccsdg

Great work on the officially doubling starter! Looking forward to seeing your first bake! Your YW also looks extremely exciting, makes me want to start one myself.

PetraR's picture
PetraR

I am so happy for you.

I remember how happy I was when I started my Starter 1 year ago.

I was almost sitting in front of that Jar willing the Starter on to grow.

Not to long after my Wheat Starter I started a Rye Starter, and he is also doing great.

I named my Starters * g *

The Wheat Starter is * Gordon * and the Rye Starter is * Ryan.

Well, after all, they are living things.