September 10, 2020 - 11:49pm
Is this mold? (new starter, day 2)
I just started a new starter (ba dum ts) and today when I went to perform the first discard and feed, I noticed a small spot that looked yellowish to me.
My process:
Day 1:
- Mix 20 g whole wheat flour + 20 g water (bottled)
Day 2 (after 24 hours):
- Discard all but 20 g and feed 1:1:1 (same flour and water)
And that's when I noticed that yellow spot. Now I'm confused because it had been only 24 hours so it couldn't be that I kept using a dirty jar or anything.
Picture: https://i.imgur.com/UKQjtMJ.jpg
Is this mold? Is it out of hope? For that 20 g of starter that I saved, I didn't include that part. I tried examining it throughout and didn't find any other yellow spots underneath.
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Looks like the air bubbles of the yeast and bacteria beginning to eat and thus activate your starter.
but if you discard it and the rest looks fine, just keep going. As the starter gets more acidic, it will resist mold better
I ended up discarding it and starting a new one since it was so early in the process.
My main reason to do so was not being able to easily find technical information on mold in sourdough starters. Most of people just say "toss it out" while others recommend scooping it out and continue feeding. I would like to know (technically) if it could still be dangerous - after several refreshments and no visual signs of mold - in case you decide to salvage it and it works out.
On this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2BZB7Nf_P8 (minute 06:33) Adam Ragusea shows a starter on day 3 that had gone pink and he states Rob Dunn Lab (at North Carolina State University) recommended keep feeding it until the desirable bacteria and yeast win the battle. So that could indicate it would be safe if, after several refreshments, the culture is able to overcome the organisms producing mold (i.e. no visual signs of mold anymore). But since they don't elaborate, I wonder if it could be okay for only certain types of mold but for others it could still be dangerous (they could still be part of the culture, but not "producing" anything).
If you have something to say about it or some material to share, I'd be grateful.