Submitted by chykcha on June 9, 2011 - 1:45am

Whole Wheat Starter Question

I have some ww starter, that I haven't fed in almost a year. It was in the fridge and was looking kind of... Well, ugly. The liquid was on top and was all dark and the body didn't look that hot either.  Finally, I decided to see if I can revive it. So I opened the lid and was very surprised when it didn't smell bad. It actually smelled kind of yeasty and sweet. Almost like honey without any of the rotten smell that I expected to find. So I fed it with some King Arthur ww flour and it doubled in size in approximately 2 hours (at room temperature). Can I use this starter? Does it matter that it has been neglected for so long? Thanks for your advice!

Listen when mother speaks!

That is some persistent mother of a starter. Sure-use it! It certainly tucked itself in nicely and aged like a fine wine. I would treat that starter well from now on.

Enjoy!

I have already baked with it,

I have already baked with it, and the bread tastes pretty good, except it't not very sour (if at all). I will be nice to my starter now, especially considering gratefully it gobbles up the feedings and bubbles happily.

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