How to Tackle Sourdough Starter Challenges – Art of Fermentation Approach

In today’s vodcast, I am continuing my series on how to tackle sourdough starter challenges. In Part 3, I share Sandor Katz’s sourdough approach for making a starter as described in his Art of Fermentation cookbook.

These conversational vodcasts are available to the Kitchen Pioneers who have joined my YouTube membership community—The Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy.

Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

My comprehensive vodcasts are exclusively available to members of the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy, who we call Kitchen Pioneers. You can learn more about my optional YouTube membership community, including members-only videos and exclusive perks.

This membership community is optional. I’m still publishing my weekly detailed instructional cooking videos on my public YouTube channel that you can watch for free. (Thanks so much for being a Sweet Friend and subscriber!)

In addition to links to the latest Kitchen Academy vodcasts, this blog post lists some of the public videos that I talk about in my vodcast.

Before the Art of Fermentation – Sourdough Starter Series Part 1 and 2

Before we jump in and discuss the Art of Fermentation method for making sourdough starter, be sure to catch up with Parts 1 and 2 of this How to Tackle Sourdough Starter Challenges video series:

• Part 1: King Arthur Baking Approach
• Part 2: Nourishing Traditions Approach

The Art of Fermentation Sourdough Starter

Did you know that you can basically use any successful and thriving ferment to ferment something else? This technique is true even if that original ferment is entirely different from the new ferment!

Sandor Katz shares this process with us in his Art of Fermentation book. For example, since a sourdough starter is a ferment, if you have a successful and thriving kombucha, you can use some of the kombucha ferment to help kickstart the making of your sourdough starter!

If you’re interested in making homemade kombucha, I’ve got you covered in my beginner’s guide to kombucha making recipe video.

No Longer Struggle with Sourdough Starter

If you have been struggling to get your sourdough starter growing and bubbly, look around and see if you have a successful ferment on your countertop or in your four corners pantry. In your traditional foods kitchen, you may already have some:

• Kombucha (as described earlier)
• Kefir (milk or water)
• Yogurt
• Vegetable ferment (even a fermented nut milk will work!)

In today’s in-depth sourdough starter vodcast, I share even more ideas from the Art of Fermentation to help you finally enjoy success in creating a sourdough starter. And I describe how to add these ferments to your sourdough starter in the proper amounts. The right proportions will allow the good yeasts and lactic-acid-producing bacteria to create the right type of sourdough starter to bake a flavorful sourdough bread.

Sourdough Starter Videos

For more help with getting your sourdough starter going, be sure to check out the videos below that provide you three different options.

• Foolproof Sourdough Starter – Watch if you have rye flour
• Complete Sourdough Starter Guide – Watch if you have all-purpose flour
• Busy Mother’s Sourdough Secret – Watch if you have all-purpose flour and you don’t mind taking a few shortcuts

More Fermentation Videos

In addition to kombucha, I show you how to make other ferments for your traditional foods kitchen in the following recipe videos.

More Kitchen Pioneer Videos

Catch up on some of the videos in our membership community that you may not have seen:

• Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy video playlist (Optional Membership Community)

Remember that you’re always welcome to post questions and comments on my videos at any time, and I’m happy to reply.

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1. Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
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I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

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Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite Bread Making Supplies

• Baking Apron
• Sourdough Starter (if you want to purchase one)
• Yeast Water Glass Bottle
• 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
• Danish Dough Whisk
• Plastic Bench Scrape
• Metal Bench Scrape
• Metal Loaf Pans
• Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
• Baking Stone
• SAF Instant Yeast

Favorite Kitchen Supplies

• Chef’s Knife
• Bamboo Cutting Board
• Lodge Cast Iron Frying Pan
• Scanpan
• Spatula Spoon
• Whisk
• Large Stock Pot
• Stainless Steel Colander
• Large Measuring Cup
• Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Baking Sheet
• 2-Cup Glass Storage Jars with Lids
• 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
• Flour Sack Towels
• Fat Separator
• Favorite Aprons

In addition, the following links and promo codes will help you save on fermentation supplies, grain grinders, and whole grains.

• Masontops Fermentation Kit (See promocode below)
• Mockmill Grain Grinder and Whole Grains (promo code below)

Use promo code MARYSNST for a one-time 15% off Masontops and Breadsmart products on Amazon.com.

Learn more about Mockmill electric grain mills for making fresh flour and their Flake Lover's Flaker that flakes whole grain in minutes.

Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide

• Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
• Visit my Shopping Guide page
  Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman's, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!

Recommended Reading

• Wild Bread