You open your starter and there's a mysterious layer of liquid sitting on top. Don't panic. Here's what that liquid usually means and what to do next.
Liquid on top of sourdough starter is often a sign that the starter has become hungry and needs feeding.
It can happen when the starter has been sitting for a while or when fermentation has progressed beyond its most active stage.
The liquid that collects on top of sourdough starter is commonly called hooch.
It can range in color from clear to grayish or even slightly darker, depending on the starter and how long it has been sitting.
Your starter is constantly consuming the available food supplied by flour. As fermentation continues, that food eventually becomes less available.
If your starter otherwise looks normal, the next step is usually to return to your normal feeding routine.
You'll find different opinions among sourdough bakers about whether to pour off hooch or stir it back into the starter.
The important thing is understanding why the liquid appeared in the first place: your starter has likely gone through a period of fermentation without enough fresh food.
Focus on getting your feeding routine back on track rather than treating the liquid itself as a disaster.
Liquid by itself isn't necessarily a reason to throw out your starter. But if you notice other unusual changes at the same time, take a closer look.
The simplest solution is learning your starter's rhythm.
Once you understand how quickly your starter consumes its food under your normal conditions, you can adjust your feeding routine accordingly.
Want to understand your starter better? These four Academy guides are useful next steps.
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