Discovering Sourdough Starter Through The Float Test
Baking with sourdough starter can be a rewarding experience. It’s a great way to add depth of flavor to breads, pancakes, pizza crusts and more. But before you can get to baking, you need to make sure that your starter is ready to use. The float test is one of the simplest ways to check if your starter is ready for use.
What is the Float Test?
The float test is a simple method used to check the activity level of your starter. To do it, you just need to take a spoonful of starter – it’s best to use a glass or metal spoon – and drop it into a glass of room temperature water. If the starter floats, then it’s ready to use. If it sinks, it needs more time to ferment.
What Does It Mean if My Starter Floats?
If your starter floats, then it’s active and ready to use. If it’s been recently fed, then it should be good to go. However, if you’re using a starter that’s been sitting in the fridge for a while, it’s best to give it a few feedings and do the float test again before using it for baking.
What Does It Mean if My Starter Sinks?
If your starter sinks, it means that it’s not active enough yet. It likely needs more time to ferment and build up the strength of the culture. Give it a few more feedings and check it with the float test again in a day or two.
Conclusion
The float test is a simple and effective way to check the activity level of your sourdough starter. If it floats, then it’s ready to use. If it sinks, then it needs more time to ferment and build up the strength of the culture. With the float test, you’ll be able to make sure that your sourdough starter is ready to use and will make the perfect loaves of bread.