09/07/2026
When I first started my sourdough journey, one of the things I struggled with the most was understanding my starter.
People kept saying, “Use your starter at its peak.” But… what exactly is peak? How do you know when it’s there?
Over time, I realised it’s actually much simpler than I thought.
After feeding, your starter will slowly rise as it feeds. It’ll keep climbing until it reaches its highest point, then it’ll slowly start to fall because it’s getting hungry again. That highest point is what we call its peak.
Every starter is different. Some double, some triple, and some rise way beyond that. That’s why I always encourage people not to rush to use it the moment it doubles. Let it keep growing and observe how high it can actually go. Once you learn your starter’s pattern, you’ll know exactly when it’s at its peak.
If your starter only doubles for now, don’t worry. Keep feeding it consistently and give it a little time. As it gets stronger, you’ll often notice it rising higher with each feed.
Another thing I learned is not to feed it just because the clock says it’s time. Instead, wait until it has just started to fall. That’s usually a sign it has finished most of its food and is ready for its next feed.
One thing sourdough has taught me is that it isn’t about rushing. It’s about observing, understanding, and letting time do its work. Once you start paying attention to your starter, it’ll tell you more than you think.
Timelapse of my starter rising from the feed.
Where it started
Where it peaked
