The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Moving

alexandrut03's picture
alexandrut03

Moving

Hello!

I've just decided to leave Romania and my biggest concern that i'll lose my starters. How can I transport'em in a safe kind of way? I'll take tha plane, so I must follow the flight rules.I have a liquid starter (100% hydration) a 75% one, and a stiff at 50%. Any ideeas for transportation? (rules : a plastic bag with containers - max 100 ml each, and al the liquids/gels/../my case- dough- can't go over 1l - so max 10 containers @ max 100 ml).

Thanks and please excuse my English.

pmccool's picture
pmccool

And your English is just fine, alexandrut03.

#1: Mix as much flour into a each of your starters as they can hold.  If the then-stiff starters that you transport mass 20-50 grams each, that will be plenty.  Then you can add water at your destination to restore them to their previous hydration levels.  You may want to label each so that you can tell them apart and so that an over-eager security person doesn't think that you are carrying plastique.

#2: Add water as necessary to achieve 100% hydration for all three starters.  Then smear a thin film of each on wax paper or parchment paper or kitchen paper and allow to dry.  When dried, peel away the paper, crumble the dried starters and carry them in small individual plastic bags. Labeling these is also a good idea.  When you reach your destination, you will need 3-4 days of feeding at your usual intervals to restore them to usable condition.

Safe travels!

Paul

mrfrost's picture
mrfrost

The o/c that I am, I would carry samples of each type that Paul mentions above.

In addition to that, you could mail the dried starters to your destination.

If you strike out using all three methods, it was destiny.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

and teaspoon size samples in hand carry.   Place into the center of the suitcase to avoid too warm or too cold changes in temperature.    Do not seal bags completely or tightly for as the airplane rises any air or gas in the bags will expand and may pop the bags.  Press as much air out of the bags as you can.

#3 One member would soak coffee filter paper with liquid sourdough starter and let it dry, then place in a paper envelope.  The filter paper would then be placed in a small amount of water and flour at the destination to build.