Can instant yeast be used to make a sourdough starter?!
Can instant yeast be used to make a sourdough starter?
I would like to make a sourdough starter, but only have instant yeast. Will this work the same as active dry yeast? Thanks!
Answers:
I had made a sour dough starter when I was in college and used fast rising yeast and it turned out great...the only thing is you have to have it in a warm place to let it proof (to rise). And sourdough bread tastes awesome... good for sandwiches.
Sourdough Starter is essentially a solution that attracts wild yeast with native bacteria attached to give the bread leavening and a tang specific to the area which is why a San Fransisco sourdough is more popular than an Atlanta sourdough. You do need to start with some yeast however. I recommend active dry yeast. A good brand is Bread Machine.
I really don't like the yeasts from chemical companies.
Years ago, I happened on a cooking show on TV, and the topic was sourdough bread. The chef was saying that sourdough starter can be made just by mixing flour and water, and letting it sit for a few days. But the problem with this method is that one of the "bad yeasts" that occur naturally may take over your starter. She said the best method was to buy some grapes from the produce mart. It doesn't matter if they are white or red. Just get some with a lot of the white powder stuff on the skin. Wash about 10 or 15 of the grapes and add to the flour/water mixture. Let sit for 2 days, removing the grapes after a day. This way, you have introduced "good natural yeasts" to your starter. Seal the starter in a crock or jar, refrigerate, and use according to instructions for any sourdough recipe.