I think everyone is wrong about sourdough starter discard

Last week I had a huge order for 200 sourdough bagels and my starter was going crazy. I see all these fancy recipes for using the discard in pancakes or crackers, but that's a waste of time when you're busy. I just threw out about three cups of it over two days. People act like it's a crime, but my bagels turned out perfect and I saved an hour of extra work. Has anyone else just tossed it without feeling bad?

3 comments

3 Comments

faith8141mo ago

My neighbor gave me a jar of her starter last month and I killed it in four days flat. I forgot it on the counter and it turned into this gray, smelly liquid. I felt a little bad, but honestly, starting over with my own was way easier than trying to save it. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on.

lunawilliams26d ago

I used to fight to save mine too, but like william_henderson found, starting fresh is just easier.

william_henderson1mo ago

My first starter lasted about a week before I left it in a cold oven and then preheated it... faith814, you're not alone. That gray liquid phase is a special kind of failure. I spent two whole days trying to bring mine back with fancy flour before I gave up. Starting fresh felt like admitting defeat, but it was the best move.

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