My wife said my sourdough starter is just a pet I can't pet

We were cleaning the kitchen last night and she pointed at my jar on the counter. She said, 'You feed it, name it, worry when it's sad. It's a pet.' I've always treated it like a tool, but she's right, I do talk about 'Floyd' being sluggish. It made me rethink the whole 'baker's relationship with their starter' thing. Is it a living ingredient or a low-maintenance kitchen pet?

3 comments

3 Comments

wren63826d ago

Oh man, she's totally got a point. I had a jar of Herman the starter for like two years. I'd feel guilty if I forgot to feed him before a weekend trip, and I'd actually get happy when he was all bubbly and active. Throwing out the discard felt mean, like I was getting rid of part of him. It's a pet that lives in a jar and makes pancakes.

hall.joel26d ago

Remember that guilt when you'd come back and see it all flat and sad? I'd always give it a little extra flour after a trip, like I was making it up to him. The worst was when you had to clean the jar and it felt like you were moving him to a new house. It really does become this weird little silent friend on your counter.

paul_taylor2126d ago

Yeah, the discard guilt is real. I just keep a tiny jar so there's less waste.