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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?
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wren6387mo 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.
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hall.joel7mo 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.
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hill.margaret4mo ago
So is it the feeding schedule that feels like a responsibility, or more just that the thing is alive and you're keeping it going? I've always wondered if people name their starters and actually talk to them, or if that's just a weird internet thing. Because I'll admit I've apologized to mine when I let it go too long between feedings.
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paul_taylor217mo ago
Yeah, the discard guilt is real. I just keep a tiny jar so there's less waste.
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