How to read the smell
- Nail polish remover, acetone, alcohol: a hungry starter, often one that has stood a long time. Feed it.
- Vinegar, sharply sour: often a hungry starter in a warm place, or a firm starter. Feed it and give it time.
- Pleasantly sour, yeasty, fruity: normal. That is what a healthy starter smells like.
- Stinging, like ammonia, in the first days: not a normal start. Clean the jar thoroughly and begin again.
- Musty, or with fuzz or pink streaks: mold or bad bacteria. Throw the starter out.
What to do
- Look at the starter first: is there mold, fuzz or pink or orange color? If yes, throw it out.
- If there is only liquid on top, stir it in or pour it off.
- Feed the starter and keep it somewhere warm.
- Smell it again at its next peak. The smell should now be milder, more sour than sharp.
A sharp smell is a hunger signal, not a verdict. If feeding on a steady rhythm does not change it after a few cycles, or if you see mold, start over.
How to prevent it
- Feed on a steady rhythm, so the starter does not stand hungry for days
- Keep it warm enough, but not hot
- Use a clean jar and a loose lid
- Check the starter before every feeding
The Starter Kit has a troubleshooting table that matches every smell and every symptom to the right fix. The Starter Colleague Help section tells you what you are seeing.
Get the Starter Kit — €16