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@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
\chapter{Making a sourdough starter}%
\label{chapter:sourdough-starter}
\begin{quoting}
\begin{figure}[!htb]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{sourdough-starter-activity-indicators}
\caption[Very active sourdough]{A very active sourdough starter shown by the
bubbles in the dough.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter}
\end{figure}
In this chapter you will learn how to make your
own sourdough starter, but before doing so you will
quickly learn about baker's math. Don't worry,
@@ -12,6 +21,8 @@ your starter's readiness, as well as
how to prepare your starter for long-term storage.
\end{quoting}
\iffalse
\section{Baker's math}%
\label{section:bakers-math}
@@ -80,20 +91,23 @@ hungry family arrives. You are tasked with making pasta
for \num{20} people. How would you calculate the amount of sauce
you need? You go to the internet and check a recipe and then
are completely lost when trying to scale it up.
\fi
\section{The process of making a starter}
\begin{figure}[!htb]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{sourdough-starter-activity-indicators}
\caption[Very active sourdough]{A very active sourdough starter shown by the
bubbles in the dough.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter}
\end{figure}
Making a sourdough starter is very easy, all you need
is a little bit of patience. It is in fact so easy that it can be summarized
in a simple flowchart~\ref{fig:sourdough-starter-process} The flour you should
in a simple flowchart~\ref{fig:sourdough-starter-process}.
\begin{flowchart}[!htb]
\centering
\input{figures/fig-starter-process.tex}
\caption[The full sourdough starter process]{The process of making a sourdough
starter from scratch.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter-process}
\end{flowchart}
The flour you should
use to bootstrap your starter is ideally a whole flour.
You could use whole-wheat, whole-rye, whole-spelt or
any other flour you have. In fact gluten free flours such
@@ -131,14 +145,6 @@ not airtight. You still want some gas exchange to be possible.
I~like to use a glass and place another
inverted one on top.
\begin{flowchart}[!htb]
\centering
\input{figures/fig-starter-process.tex}
\caption[The full sourdough starter process]{The process of making a sourdough
starter from scratch.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter-process}
\end{flowchart}
Now an epic battle begins. In one study~\cite{yeasts+biocontrol+agent}
scientists have identified more than \num{150}~different yeast species living
on a single leaf of a plant.
@@ -147,6 +153,20 @@ the upper hand in this battle. Other pathogens such as mold
are also being activated as we added water. Only the strongest
most adaptable microorganisms will survive.
\begin{figure}[!htb]
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{sourdough-starter-microbial-war}
\caption[Microbial warfare during sourdough early days]{A simple
visualization of the microbial warfare that happens during the making of
a sourdough starter. The wild spores on the plant and flour become
activated the moment flour and water is mixed. Only the most adapted
flour-fermenting microbes will survive. Because of unwanted microbial
fermentation it is advised to discard the feeding-leftovers of the first
days. The surviving yeast and bacteria continuously try to outcompete
each other for resources. New microbes have a hard time entering the
starter and are eliminated.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter-microbial-war}
\end{figure}
By adding water to the
flour the starches start to degrade. The seedling tries to
sprout but it no longer can. Essential for this process is the
@@ -188,20 +208,6 @@ days my new starter seems to be quite alive already. This might
be due to previous contamination of flour fermenting microbes in
my kitchen.
\begin{figure}[!htb]
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{sourdough-starter-microbial-war}
\caption[Microbial warfare during sourdough early days]{A simple
visualization of the microbial warfare that happens during the making of
a sourdough starter. The wild spores on the plant and flour become
activated the moment flour and water is mixed. Only the most adapted
flour-fermenting microbes will survive. Because of unwanted microbial
fermentation it is advised to discard the feeding-leftovers of the first
days. The surviving yeast and bacteria continuously try to outcompete
each other for resources. New microbes have a hard time entering the
starter and are eliminated.}%
\label{fig:sourdough-starter-microbial-war}
\end{figure}
Wait for around 24~hours and observe what happens to your starter.
You might see some early signs of fermentation already. Use your nose
to smell the dough. Look for bubbles in the dough. Your dough