Learn how and why you should save a neglected black sourdough starter and how to determine if you keep or throw away the black liquid (hooch).
So you pull out your long forgotten sourdough starter from the back of the refrigerator and realize…it has turned black!
When you see a black liquid on top of your sourdough starter, don’t panic and don’t throw it away! This is fermented liquid that can potentially be used to make the best sourdough you have ever made.
Now you may have read that you need to discard the black liquid but I don’t. I now consider this to be liquid gold and the key to my signature sourdough bread.
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This sourdough starter above sat in my refrigerator for 8 MONTHS.
That is 8 months completely neglected and without a single feeding. The first 4 months was unintentional as I accidentally forgot the poor thing in the back of the fridge. At that point I decided to do a little experiment and see how long a sourdough starter could sit neglected in a refrigerator.
I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Steps to save a sourdough starter with black liquid on top
- Make sure there is no mold or orange/pink streaks. If there is mold or orange/pink streaks then throw it away.
- Smell the sourdough starter. The aroma will determine weather you keep the black liquid or drain it off. If there is a pleasant yeasty and sour smell then keep the liquid and stir it into the existing starter. If there is a strong, unpleasant like nail polish remover then discard the liquid and keep the thicker starter underneath.
- Feed the starter by placing 1/4 cup starter, 1/4 cup warm filtered water, and 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour into a clean glass jar that holds at least 3 cups.
- Continue on your normal feeding schedule 1-2 times per day.
Honestly, there are two rules I have to throwing away a sourdough starter…mold or orange/pink streaks. If you see either of these things, toss it and start over. Otherwise revive it by feeding it on a regular feeding schedule until bubbly and active.
There is a black liquid sitting on top of your sourdough and you are wondering what to do with it. This black liquid (hooch) is actually normal and doesn’t necessarily mean your starter has gone bad. If there is no mold or orange/pink streaks in the sourdough starter, it is still ok to use. You essentially have two choices for the black liquid: keep it or skim it and throw it away. My preference is to stir it into the sourdough if you can. How do you know if you can? Simply smell it. If the starter and hooch have a pleasant yeasty smell then stir the black liquid right into the thick starter underneath. This will produce the most gloriously sour sourdough. If it has a strong smell that isn’t appetizing, like nail polish remover, then skim the black hooch off of the top and discard.
How To Save A Black Sourdough Starter
Equipment
- clean glass jar with loose fitting lid
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sourdough starter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour unbleached
- 1/4 cup water filtered, warm
Instructions
- Make sure there is no mold or orange/pink streaks. If there is mold or orange/pink streaks then throw it away.
- Smell the sourdough starter. The aroma will determine weather you keep the black liquid or drain it off. If there is a pleasant yeasty and sour smell then keep the liquid and stir it into the existing starter. If there is a strong, unpleasant like nail polish remover then discard the liquid and use the thicker starter underneath.
- Feed the starter by placing 1/4 cup starter, 1/4 cup warm filtered water, and 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour into a clean glass jar that holds at least 3 cups.
- Continue on your normal feeding schedule 1-2 times per day until the starter is active and bubbly.
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