amyh12•4h ago

I still think about the sourdough starter I killed 7 years ago

I had a starter I named Bertha that I kept alive for almost 3 years. Left her in the fridge when I went on a two-week trip to visit my mom in Ohio and she grew a weird pink mold. Anyone else ever name their starter and feel oddly guilty when it dies?

2 comments

2 Comments

williamhenderson4h agoMost Upvoted

...honestly I don't get all the guilt people carry around over this stuff. It's flour and water, not a pet or a child. You left it in the fridge and it grew mold, big deal. I've tossed starters that were totally fine just because I got bored with the feeding schedule. People act like they abandoned a family member or something. If it's that serious just buy a new packet of starter off Etsy for five bucks and move on with your life.

charlies3752m ago

I get where you're coming from, but I think you're glossing over the fact that some of those starters are years old, passed down from grandmas or friends. I've seen people who've kept a starter alive for a decade and that flour-water mix becomes kind of a symbol of their baking journey, not just the ingredients. Tossing one that's been healthy that long can feel a bit different than chucking a packet you bought last week. Your mileage may vary of course, but I think for some folks it's more about the memories and effort than the actual price tag.