Can you freeze-dry sourdough starter?
Well, of course.
You can freezedry anything.
Whether it turns out okay is another story.
The Experiment
Rather than waste a batch of sourdough discard, I wondered what would happen if I freeze-dried it.
My goal was to make a powder that could be added to flour. That really was as far ahead as I had thought.
But, once I had freeze-dried it, ground it to a powder, and added it to some baking mixes (successfully, I might add), I wondered if the yeast could be brought back to life.
Day 1
Active: I had had my active sourdough starter in the refrigerator. I brought it out and fed it.
Experiment: The freeze-dried, I added water to reconstitute it.
Day 2
AM: In the morning, I fed both the active starter and the experimental freeze-dried one.
I think this is looking hopeful! I see bubbles.
PM: At night, I fed the freeze-dried one as well, as it had some pooling of liquid on the top and thought that it might be hungry.
Day 3
It’s Day 3 and I compare the two starters: my freeze-dried version does not look active.
Results
At this point, I feel that the answer to the freeze-drying question is “no”.
Now, back on that first day, when I saw bubbles, maybe it just needed some extra pampering.
Where there are bubbles, there is yeast?
But, at Day 3, and it is flat, I feel that trying to revive it would just be creating a sourdough starter from scratch again.
Will I try this experiment again?
No.
Why not?There are other experiments out there where people used dry scrapings and (regular) freezing of starters as long-term options.
And, I read a story, just this morning, about someone finding and
bringing back to life yeast from ancient Egyptian finds. That was fascinating and opens the door to so many natural options for saving a yeast.
Freeze/drying? Although it might work, it just doesn’t need to.
Next StepNow, I’m going to use my experimental starter in some
discard biscuits. I guess this will be another experiment!
- Debbie
Have you tried this?