day three

Do not remove the dough from the measuring cup until it has doubled in volume. This may take more or less time than 24 hours. When it has doubled, repeat the process from day two and press the finished piece of dough into the measuring cup to the original line. Cover an allow to rise another 24 hours, or till it triples in volume.

Crust & Crumb: Master formulas for serious bakers - Peter Reinhart

It is the third day of an intercontinental effort to get a sourdough starter going. Arcadia started first, I merely copied. As mine seems to be the more lively one, we won't call this a contest, it's just cooperation and coordination. Mine is bigger than hers though.

You start with wholewheat flour, a cup, and water, about a third of a cup. Mix into a dough, knead a bit, then put into a jar. You watch it like a hawk the whole day long, but nothing happens. The next day you work in another cup of white flour and enough water to keep the consistency of the dough roughly the same. You're supposed to throw half away here, but I didn't. Again, nothing happens.

Then, on the evening of the second day, life seems to spontaneously appear in the jar. A slow upward creep is discernible, maybe some bubbles too. It smells slightly alcoholic and yeasty too. For maximum growth, leave the jar close to the radiator overnight.



The kraken wakes.