Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
Starter Cultures
What is a sourdough starter culture?
A sourdough starter is a living culture of beneficial wild yeast and bacteria used to naturally ferment bread dough. Once activated and regularly fed with flour and water, it can be used to make sourdough bread, pizza crust, focaccia, bagels, rolls and more.
What is included with each starter culture?
Each package contains a dehydrated sourdough starter culture and step-by-step instructions for activation and ongoing care. Flour, water, a jar and other equipment are not included unless you purchase a baking kit.
What is the difference between the San Francisco-style and rye cultures?
Our San Francisco-style culture is a versatile choice for classic artisan bread with a pleasantly tangy flavor, chewy texture and open crumb.
Our organic rye culture offers a heartier, earthy character that is especially well suited to rye, whole-grain and rustic breads. Both cultures can be used for a wide variety of sourdough recipes.
Which starter culture is best for beginners?
Both cultures are beginner-friendly. Choose the San Francisco-style culture if you want a versatile starter for traditional country loaves, pizza, focaccia and everyday sourdough baking. Choose the rye culture if you prefer hearty, rustic or whole-grain breads.
Are your starter cultures organic?
Our starter cultures are made with organic ingredients. Please refer to the individual product page and packaging for the ingredients and certifications that apply to each culture.
Is the dehydrated starter still alive?
Yes. The culture is dehydrated to make it easier to store and ship. When it is combined with flour and water under the proper conditions, the microorganisms become active again and establish a living sourdough starter.
How long will an unopened starter culture last?
Keep the unopened culture sealed in a cool, dry place and use it by any date printed on its packaging. For the best activation experience, we recommend activating it promptly rather than storing it unnecessarily.
Can I use a different flour after activating my starter?
Yes. After activation, most starters can be maintained with unbleached all-purpose, bread, whole-wheat or rye flour. Changing flour may temporarily affect the starter’s activity, aroma, texture and feeding schedule, so make changes gradually when possible.
What can I make with my sourdough starter?
You can use an active starter to make country loaves, sandwich bread, rye bread, focaccia, pizza crust, bagels, rolls and other fermented baked goods. Sourdough discard can also be used in recipes such as pancakes, crackers, cookies and quick breads.
Does sourdough starter contain gluten?
Yes. Our sourdough cultures are made with flour that contains gluten and are not suitable for anyone who needs a gluten-free product. Sourdough fermentation does not make wheat or rye safe for people with celiac disease or a medically diagnosed gluten allergy.
Activation and Care
How do I activate my dehydrated starter?
Follow the activation instructions included with your culture. You will gradually combine the dehydrated culture with flour and water and continue feeding it until it bubbles, rises predictably and is strong enough to use for baking.
How long does activation take?
Activation commonly takes several days, but the exact timing varies with room temperature, flour, water and feeding consistency. Follow the activity of your starter rather than relying only on the number of days.
What flour should I use?
Use fresh, unbleached flour. Bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour works well for most starters, while whole-wheat and rye flours can encourage fermentation because they contain more naturally occurring nutrients.
Avoid self-rising flour and flour containing added leavening agents.
What type of water should I use?
Use clean, room-temperature water. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated or your starter appears sluggish, try filtered or bottled water. Avoid distilled water because it lacks minerals that can support fermentation.
How will I know when my starter is ready to bake with?
A ready starter should rise predictably after feeding, contain bubbles throughout and have a pleasantly fermented aroma. Many healthy starters approximately double in volume near their peak, although the exact rise depends on the flour and consistency.
What temperature is best for my starter?
Most starters are comfortable in a warm room, approximately 70–78°F. Cooler temperatures slow fermentation, while excessive heat can weaken or damage the culture. Keep the starter away from direct sunlight, hot appliances and heating vents.
How often should I feed my starter?
A starter kept at room temperature generally needs regular feeding, often about once every 24 hours and sometimes more frequently in a warm environment.
A refrigerated starter can usually be fed less often. Allow it to warm up and complete one or more feedings before baking if it has been stored in the refrigerator.
Can I keep my starter in the refrigerator?
Yes. Refrigeration is a convenient option if you do not bake frequently. Store it in a clean container with room for expansion and a lid that is not sealed excessively tightly. Feed it periodically and refresh it at room temperature before baking.
What should I do if my starter is not bubbling or rising?
Give it additional time and review the temperature, flour, water and feeding amounts. Keep it in a comfortably warm location, use fresh unbleached flour and make sure you are not using heavily chlorinated water.
Avoid feeding an inactive starter too frequently, as repeated large feedings can dilute the developing culture. Our sourdough troubleshooting guide provides additional help.
Why does my starter smell unusual?
A starter’s aroma can change throughout its feeding cycle. It may smell tangy, yeasty, fruity, vinegary or slightly alcoholic when hungry.
Discard the starter if you see fuzzy mold, pink or orange discoloration, or other clear signs of contamination. When in doubt, do not taste or use it.
What is the liquid on top of my starter?
A grayish or brownish liquid can form when a starter is hungry or has been stored for an extended period. It is commonly called “hooch.” You can pour it off or stir it in, then feed the starter.
Pink or orange liquid or growth, fuzzy mold, or a rotten odor can indicate contamination and should not be treated as normal hooch.
Can I revive a neglected starter?
A starter without signs of contamination can often be restored with repeated feedings in a clean container. If you see mold, pink or orange discoloration, insects or other signs of contamination, discard it and begin again.
How long can I maintain my starter?
With regular feeding and proper care, a healthy sourdough starter can be maintained indefinitely. Many bakers keep the same living starter for years.
What should I do with sourdough discard?
Discard can be saved in the refrigerator and used in recipes such as pancakes, waffles, crackers, cookies, muffins and pizza dough. Do not use discard from a starter showing signs of contamination.
Baking Kits
What is included in the Baker’s Kitchen Sourdough Starter Jar Kit?
The kit includes essential tools and guidance for activating and maintaining a sourdough starter, including a starter jar, temperature and growth-tracking band, digital scale, starter culture, and activation and recipe guidance.
Refer to the product listing for the complete current contents, as kit components may occasionally be updated.
Does the kit include a starter culture?
Yes. The current Sourdough Starter Jar Kit includes an organic San Francisco-style sourdough starter culture unless another option is specifically shown on the product page.
Is the kit suitable for a complete beginner?
Yes. The kit was assembled for beginning home bakers and includes the essential tools and instructions needed to activate, feed, monitor and maintain a living sourdough starter.
Will I need anything else?
You will need fresh flour, clean water and basic kitchen items such as a mixing utensil. Baking a finished loaf may also require a mixing bowl, baking vessel, scoring tool and other equipment depending on the recipe you choose.
Wholesale
Do you offer wholesale pricing?
Yes. Baker’s Kitchen welcomes wholesale inquiries from qualified retailers interested in carrying our starter cultures and baking products.
Which products are available for wholesale?
Wholesale availability may include selected sourdough starter cultures, baking kits and related products. Product availability, packaging and case quantities may vary. Contact us for the current wholesale assortment.
Who is eligible for a wholesale account?
Wholesale purchasing is intended for established retailers and other qualified businesses purchasing products for resale. We may request business information, a resale certificate or other documentation as part of the review process.
Is there a minimum opening order?
Opening-order and reorder minimums depend on the products and quantities requested. Current minimums will be provided with our wholesale information before you place an order.
How do I apply for a wholesale account?
Contact us at info@bakers.kitchen with your business name, website or social-media page, location, type of store and the products you are interested in carrying. We will review your inquiry and provide current availability and ordering information.
How quickly are wholesale inquiries reviewed?
We respond to wholesale inquiries as promptly as possible. Approval and order timing may vary depending on the information provided, product availability and requested quantities.
How quickly are wholesale orders processed?
Processing times depend on product availability, order size and the time of year. An estimated production and shipping schedule will be provided before the order is finalized.
Can wholesale products or packaging be customized?
Standard wholesale orders use Baker’s Kitchen branding and packaging. Baker's Kitchen offers storefront, counter and various other displays. Custom packaging, private-label products or special configurations are not guaranteed and require separate approval, minimum quantities and pricing.
Do you provide product images and merchandising materials?
Approved retailers may request available product photographs, descriptions and basic brand materials for promoting Baker’s Kitchen products. These materials remain the property of Baker’s Kitchen and may only be used to market authentic products purchased directly from us.
Can Baker’s Kitchen products be sold on third-party marketplaces?
Products may not be listed on Amazon, Walmart, eBay or other third-party marketplaces without prior written approval from Baker’s Kitchen. Approved retailers may sell through their own physical store and business website, subject to the agreed wholesale terms.
Do you offer retailer or territory exclusivity?
Territory or retailer exclusivity is not automatically included with a wholesale account. Any exclusivity arrangement must be separately discussed and confirmed in writing.
What is the wholesale return and damage policy?
Wholesale orders are generally final unless products arrive damaged, defective or different from the approved order. Inspect the shipment promptly and report any problem with photographs and order details so we can review it.
The complete terms applicable to an order will be provided before the order is finalized.
How can I contact Baker’s Kitchen about wholesale?
Email info@bakers.kitchen with the subject line Wholesale Inquiry. Include your business name, location, website and the products you are interested in carrying.
Orders and Shipping
Where do you ship?
Available destinations and shipping services are displayed at checkout. If international shipping is available for your destination, you are responsible for any applicable duties, import taxes, brokerage fees and local import requirements.
How quickly are orders processed?
Orders are processed on business days, excluding weekends and holidays. Processing may take longer during promotions, product launches, holidays or periods of high order volume.
How long will delivery take?
Available shipping services and estimated delivery times are displayed at checkout. Delivery estimates begin after processing and are not guaranteed because carrier delays, severe weather and other circumstances can affect transit.
How can I track my order?
When tracking is available, you will receive a shipping-confirmation email containing your tracking information. Tracking may take some time to update after the carrier receives the package.
What should I do if tracking says delivered but I cannot find my package?
Confirm the shipping address, check around the delivery location and ask other household members or neighbors. Allow one additional business day because carriers occasionally mark packages delivered before final placement.
If it remains missing, contact the carrier and email info@bakers.kitchen with your order number.
What should I do if my order is delayed or appears lost?
Contact us at info@bakers.kitchen with your order number. The carrier may require a delivery or investigation period before a package can be classified as lost. If the carrier confirms that it was lost before delivery, we will work with you on an appropriate resolution.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged or incorrect?
Contact us promptly at info@bakers.kitchen. Include your order number and photographs of the product, shipping box, packaging and shipping label when possible. Keep the item and its packaging until we complete our review.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Contact us immediately if you need to request a change or cancellation. We cannot guarantee changes after an order enters processing or has shipped.
Returns and Support
What is your return policy?
Eligible unused products may be returned if the return is requested within 30 days of delivery. The item must be complete, in its original condition and packaging, and accompanied by the order number or other proof of purchase.
Contact us before sending anything back. Additional conditions and exclusions are described in our Return and Refund Policy.
Can an opened starter culture be returned?
No. Opened or used starter cultures and other consumable products cannot be returned for health, safety and quality-control reasons. An unopened culture may be eligible if it remains sealed and otherwise meets the return requirements.
How do I request a return?
Email info@bakers.kitchen with your order number and the reason for your request. If approved, we will provide return instructions and the appropriate return address. Do not mail a return without receiving approval first.
When will I receive my refund?
We will notify you after the return has been received and inspected. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method within 10 business days. Your bank or card issuer may need additional time to post the refund.
How can I contact Baker’s Kitchen?
Email us at info@bakers.kitchen. Please include your order number when contacting us about an existing purchase.