A wet starter dough, also known as a sourdough starter or levain, is a mixture of flour and water that has been fermented by wild yeast and bacteria. When it's ready for baking, it should exhibit certain characteristics:
Risen and Bubbly: A well-fed and active starter will have risen in volume and be full of bubbles. These bubbles are a sign of the yeast and bacteria actively producing carbon dioxide during fermentation, which helps leaven the bread.
Aeration and Lightness: When you stir the starter, it should feel light and airy due to the gas produced by the yeast. It may have a frothy or foamy appearance.
Pleasant Aroma: A mature starter will have a pleasant, slightly tangy aroma. It should smell mildly sour or mildly yeasty, not overly pungent or foul.
Float Test: When a spoonful of the starter is dropped into a glass of water, it should float. This is a reliable indicator that the starter is strong enough to leaven bread.
Consistency: Although it is referred to as "wet," a mature starter should still have a certain structure and viscosity. It should not be overly runny or too thick, but rather have a somewhat elastic and stretchy consistency.
Regular Rise and Fall: Observe the starter's behavior throughout its feeding cycle. A mature starter will rise and expand after feeding and then start to fall back down as it reaches its peak. This process should take place within a predictable timeframe, usually peaking around 4-6 hours after feeding.
Consistent Feeding Routine: A reliable starter will maintain consistent performance with regular feedings. This indicates a stable and balanced population of yeast and bacteria.
Keep in mind that the time it takes to achieve these characteristics can vary depending on the type of flour used, the ambient temperature, and the specific microorganisms present in your environment. Generally, it takes several days of regular feedings to develop a strong and mature sourdough starter that is ready for baking. Once you have a mature starter, you can use it to leaven your bread recipes and create delicious, homemade sourdough loaves.