Welcome to The Sourdough Way! If you’re here, you’ve just opened your dehydrated starter, affectionately known as Betty, the heart of every great loaf. She’s full of wild yeast, good gut bacteria, and all the flavour that makes real sourdough, real.
When you rehydrate and feed her well, she will last a lifetime and can be passed down for generations. Here’s exactly how to bring her back to life.
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Step 1 — Rehydrate Your Starter
To wake your dehydrated sourdough starter flakes:
1. Fill a clean glass jar with 50g (4 tbsp) of room-temperature filtered water.
2. Add the dried sourdough starter flakes.
3. Stir until there are no dry bits remaining, it should look like a milky lumpy paste.
4. Cover lightly with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit for a few hours so the flakes fully absorb the water.
This first step lets the wild yeast gently come back to life.
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Step 2 — First Feed
Once your flakes look fully hydrated:
1. Add 35g of high protein bread flour (4 tbsp) and mix well.
2. Cover the jar again and leave it at room temperature for 8–24 hours.
During this time, your starter will slowly begin to build strength. Don’t worry if you don’t see bubbles yet — every kitchen and every climate is different.
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Step 3 — Sit Back & Let It Grow
After the first 24 hours:
• If you don’t yet see bubbles or movement, your starter simply needs another snack.
• Feed it 30g flour + 30g water and let it sit for another 8–24 hours.
Sourdough is a living culture, so timing can vary depending on season, temperature, and your home environment.
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Step 4 — Your Starter Is Alive!
Your starter may need another feed or two before it becomes fully active and ready for baking. You’ll know it’s strong when:
• it forms bubbles,
• it smells pleasantly tangy,
• and most importantly — it doubles in volume within a few hours of being fed.
That’s the sign Betty is ready to join your favourite sourdough recipe.
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What to Do Next
Once your starter is active, you can:
✨ Bake your first loaf
✨ Store your starter in the fridge if baking weekly
✨ Keep feeding at room temperature if baking often
✨ Explore recipes, guides, and tips on our website
For more sourdough tutorials, step-by-step videos, and beginner guides, head to:
www.thesourdoughway.com.au
Happy Baking!
From my kitchen to yours,
Kayla – The Sourdough Way