I don't know what I have done to my sourdough starters (I know, one would be plenty) and I would really appreciate any help or advice. I decided to feed one ready to do some baking this week. They have been languishing in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks since I sent a jar of starter to my friend in Eugene. I had decided one was the runny one and one was the thicker one, but this evening when I tried to stir them they were both more than thick. No hooch on top where 2 weeks ago there was a good 1/4" on each one. It took some effort to stir them and dig out the 1/2cup I was going to replace - long strands, very stretchy. I really don't understand the firm starter concept and would prefer to keep my starter (s) liquid. They smell good and appear to be very healthy, but what the heck did I do to bring on the change in texture? Should I increase the amount of water? Have I created a monster? They are both sitting on the counter and I will watch to see what happens, but our weather is warming up and I want to put them back in the frig. Any ideas, anyone? A
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Annie:
My starters (I have two) are the same texture as yours and I also keep them in the fridge between uses. I think it might be the sign of a more mature starter since my are both at least six months old. When I'm ready to bake, I take out the one I want to use feed it and within a couple of hours it's bubbling like mad. I think as long as they smell good you're fine.
Trish
More like a very thick starter but not solid by any means. What happens when I take mine out is that it will warm up and rise, then fall. If I leave it 2 hours after the fall I will then get a more liquidy, loose starter consistency but the minute I feed it, it tightens up again. I stir my starter very vigorously during my feedings, several times a day. I just assume it is the gluten strand development as Sourdough Lady said.
It is baking and tasting great, so I haven't been very concerned with it?
Hope this helps.
It could also be dehydration. Food stuff will dry out in the fridge if not covered properly. I keep a tight sealing lid on my starter with a little pin hole in the top for the gases to release pressure. I don't use plastic wrap when I can avoid it. It is too easily moved around.
rcornwall