diff --git a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter-maintenance-process.jpg b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter-maintenance-process.jpg index c0de12b..52e11e3 100644 Binary files a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter-maintenance-process.jpg and b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter-maintenance-process.jpg differ diff --git a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex index 6156763..b7aad58 100644 --- a/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex +++ b/book/sourdough-starter/sourdough-starter.tex @@ -331,20 +331,20 @@ very strong defense mechanisms. In the end your sourdough starter can be compared to pickled food. Pickled food has been shown to stay good for a very long period of time \cite{pickled+foods+expiration}. The acidity of your sourdough starter is quite toxic to other microbes. The yeast and bacteria though have adapted to living -in the high acid environment. Compare this to your stomache, the acidity -neutralises many possible pathogens. As long as your starter has sufficient +in the high acid environment. Compare this to your stomach, the acidity +neutralizes many possible pathogens. As long as your starter has sufficient food available it will outcompete other microbes. When the starter runs out of food the microbes will start to sporulate. They prepare for a period of no food and will then reactivate the moment new food is present. The spores are very resilient and can survive under extreme conditions. Scientists have claimed they found 250 million year old spores still active spores \cite{old+spores}. While being spores -they are howevever more vulnerable to external pathogens such as mold. +they are however more vulnerable to external pathogens such as mold. Everything in nature is at some point decomposed and broken down by other microorganisms. Under ideal conditions though the spores can survive for a long time. -But as long as they stey in the environment of your starter they live +But as long as they stay in the environment of your starter they live in a very protected protected environment. Other fungi and bacteria have a hard time decomposing your left over starter mass. I have seen only very few cases where the starter actually died. It is almost impossible to kill a starter. @@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ to kill a starter. What happens though is that the balance of yeast and bacteria changes in your starter. The bacteria is more adapt to living in the acidic environment. This is a problem when you make another dough. -You want to have the proper balance of fluffness and sour notes. +You want to have the proper balance of fluffiness and sour notes. When a starter has hibernated for a long period of time chances are that you do not have a desirable balance of microbes. Furthermore depending on the time your starter hibernated you might only have @@ -381,7 +381,9 @@ for a very long period of time. The only thing I see happening is the surface drying out in the fridge. So I recommend to drown the starter in a little bit of water. This extra layer of water provides a good protection from the top part drying out. As mold is aerobic it can not grow efficiently grow under -water \cite{mold+anaerobic}. +water \cite{mold+anaerobic}. Before using the starter again simply either stir +the liquid into the dough or drain it. If you drain the liquid you can use it +to make a lacto fermented hot sauce for instance. The colder it is the longer you preserve a good balance of yeast and bacteria. Generally the warmer it is the faster the fermentation process is. @@ -396,7 +398,7 @@ humidity the spores can resist other pathogens very well. A dried starter can be good for years. Simply take your starter and mix it with flour. Try to crumble the starter as -much as possible. Add more flour continously until you notice that the is no +much as possible. Add more flour continuously until you notice that the is no moisture left. Place the flour starter at a dry place in your house. Let it dry even more. If you have a dehumidifier you can use this to speed up the process. Set it to around 30°C and dry the starter for 12-20 hours. The next