The Fresh Loaf

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Mold after short trip

Sarhaophim's picture
Sarhaophim

Mold after short trip

Hey everyone,

 

Have a relatively new starter (4 months old?) that i've maintained daily with 50g starter 50g whole wheat flour (king arthur) and 50g water. Went away for 3 days, forgot starter on counter (covered) and found it covered in what looked like a layer of hooch but some of this veiny white stuff too. I'm in NYC so it might have gotten warm and humid in the house, but i've left it out for 1-2 days before without feeding and never had an issue. Last night i cleared the top layer to what looked like a healthy bottom layer and fed it again. This morning, smelled like apples or cider but looked ok. Came back this afternoon to find it looking like this again (but without that layer of hooch under). Not sure what this is, can it be mold? Time to dump and restart?

clazar123's picture
clazar123

Is it just me but the picture is not coming through.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

What is the room temp?

Sarhaophim's picture
Sarhaophim

It's generally 72-78°F but was probably in low 80's when I wasn't home

Sarhaophim's picture
Sarhaophim

phaz's picture
phaz

Yeah, looks like the start of mold, but nothing to worry too much about, happens here and there. Take a little from the bottom of the jar, feed like 25 to 1, add a drop off orange juice, keep warmish and stir a couple 3 times a day. It'll be back to normal in a few days. Enjoy!

Sarhaophim's picture
Sarhaophim

25 to one flour to starter or 25 to one flour and water to starter?

phaz's picture
phaz

1 starter, 25 food whatever the ratio. Enjoy!

Sarhaophim's picture
Sarhaophim

Looking better. It's rising on schedule and no signs of mold. I switched to all purpose flour.