Sourdough Starter Guide

My sourdough starter, Eva, has been the key to baking hundreds of loaves each month here at my cottage bakery, Leaf & Loaf, in Dallas, Texas. Eva has been shipped around the world to help others begin their own sourdough journeys, and now I’m excited to share with you the process that will help you create your very own thriving starter.
 
This Sourdough Starter Guide is designed for bakers of all levels. Whether you want to create your very first sourdough starter or help troubleshoot the one you already have, this guide will help you achieve a thriving starter.

I have an extended guide -Advanced Sourdough Starter Guide- where I explain all the science in more detail if you are interested, but for this guide I have distilled all of my research and experimentation into an easy-to-follow guide that walks you through everything you need to know about starting and maintaining a healthy sourdough culture.
 
What You’ll Learn:
 
What is Sourdough?: We’ll start by covering the basics—what sourdough is, why it’s better for you, and the role of a sourdough starter in creating that perfect loaf.
 
Creating a Starter from Scratch: I’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a thriving starter from scratch, using a science-backed method that ensures success.
 
Feeding, Maintaining, and Scaling: Learn how to properly feed and care for your starter so it can last a lifetime. I’ll also show you how to scale your starter for bulk baking.
 
Troubleshooting & FAQs: Avoid the most common sourdough frustrations with clear solutions to 17 different issues. Plus, get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
 
This guide is all about giving you the confidence to create and maintain a strong, active sourdough starter that will elevate your bread baking. 
 
Join me as we embark on this sourdough journey together—let's get your starter up and running!