I purchased a starter a couple of weeks ago but have not had the opportunity to reactivate it. How long does it last and is it still alright to use 3 or so weeks after receiving it?
I purchasIed a starter a couple of weeks ago but have not had the opportunity to reactivate it. How long does it last and is it still alright to use 3 or so weeks after receiving it?
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In the past I've left my starter for several months without any attention at all in the fridge, and have reactivated it without a problem. It can theoretically survive indefinitely in there as long as it's in an air-tight container (to prevent the intrusion of undesirable bacteriae). It can take a little bit longer to reactivate if it's been dormant for a while, but if you keep the ambient temperature above 23C and feed with increasingly large amounts each time it starts frothing, it will be back up and kicking in no time :)
Hi, If you purchased a dry starter - it will keep for quite awhile, but I would activate it before it gets to be 6 (six) months old. You need to treat it like regular dry yeast.
If you purchased a starter which looks like a small piece of bread dough, I would get this one activated shortly. It is hungry. And now you have a pet to feed! :) Once, you have activated your starter and it takes about 10 to 14 days to mature it, you can stick it in the frig and forget about it - just feed to reactivate, like the above comment states. Happy Baking! M
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[quote=biprow]
I purchasIed a starter a couple of weeks ago but have not had the opportunity to reactivate it. How long does it last and is it still alright to use 3 or so weeks after receiving it?
[/quote]
In the past I've left my starter for several months without any attention at all in the fridge, and have reactivated it without a problem. It can theoretically survive indefinitely in there as long as it's in an air-tight container (to prevent the intrusion of undesirable bacteriae). It can take a little bit longer to reactivate if it's been dormant for a while, but if you keep the ambient temperature above 23C and feed with increasingly large amounts each time it starts frothing, it will be back up and kicking in no time :)
Hi, If you purchased a dry starter - it will keep for quite awhile, but I would activate it before it gets to be 6 (six) months old. You need to treat it like regular dry yeast.
If you purchased a starter which looks like a small piece of bread dough, I would get this one activated shortly. It is hungry. And now you have a pet to feed! :) Once, you have activated your starter and it takes about 10 to 14 days to mature it, you can stick it in the frig and forget about it - just feed to reactivate, like the above comment states. Happy Baking! M