🥄 How to Feed Your Starter Correctly (and Ratios Explained)
Let’s get real—there’s no faster way to confuse (or kill) your starter than by inconsistent feeding. Whether you’re new to sourdough or just adjusting to Malta’s warm, humid climate, here’s exactly how to keep things balanced, predictable, and bubbling beautifully.
📏 Your Go-To Ratio: 1:3:3 (Starter:Water:Flour)
This ratio keeps your starter happy and predictable. That means you take 1 part starter, 3 parts water, and 3 parts flour—by weight, not volume.
For example:
- 30g starter
- 100g water
- 100g flour
➡ Mix well and let it rest at room temperature.
🥣 How to Feed Your Starter – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Add Water First
Start by pouring 100g of water into a clean bowl. Why? Adding water first makes it easier to fully dissolve the starter before introducing flour. This ensures your starter is well-distributed and active throughout the mixture.
Step 2: Add the Starter Next (30g)
Whisk or stir the starter into the water until it’s completely dissolved. This helps evenly distribute the wild yeast and bacteria, giving you a more consistent rise.
Step 3: Add the Flour (100g)
Finally, add the flour and mix well until there are no dry bits left. The mixture should resemble thick pancake batter.
💡 Pro Tip: Always mix by hand or with a wooden spoon. Metal tools can sometimes affect the fermentation process.
🔄 When to Change Your Ratio
Hot & Humid (Like Malta’s Summer)?
Go drier: Use a 1:2:3 ratio (starter:water:flour) to slow fermentation and prevent over-fermenting.
Cooler Weather or Sluggish Starter?
Go wetter: Try 1:3:2 to boost activity and help your starter rise faster.
🧑🍳 Pro Tips for Starter Success
✔ Always feed by weight, not by cups or spoons—precision is key.
✔ Use clean jars and fresh, unbleached flour.
✔ Pay attention to how quickly your starter rises and falls—it’s the best way to learn its behavior in different temperatures.
Want to skip the starter stress?
Try our mature, dehydrated sourdough starter—just add water, follow the included feeding guide, and you’re good to go! Now shipping worldwide and includes a FREE Rehydration and Maintenance Guide.