11/03/2009

Joy from Portland, Oregon

Hi I have a question. If I want to give the starter kit as a gift, do I need to feed it during the days prior to my giving it away? How long will it last if I don't open it? Thanks!
The starter can only go without feeding for about 2 weeks after the production date which is on the label. If your gifting will be with in that time frame, store it in the refrigerator, and give the lid a quarter turn open. If it will be longer than that, it will need feeding.Mary @ KAF

09/23/2009

Rob from Las Vegas

Hi I'm looking at buying your starter but don't quite understand how this works. Is the 1 oz. bottle of starter only good for one baking session (say 2 loaves) or does it last and if so for how long and how many loaves will it make? Thanks
Rob the great thing about our Fresh Sourdough Starter if well taken care of it will last for generations. It just needs to be fed every so often to keep it going. It comes with instructions on its care. We also have these instructions, with great pictures to use as a guide, posted under Education and then primers and tips. The potential is as many loaves of sourdough bread as you have the time to make. Also there are quite a few sourdough recipes posted in our recipe section. Joan@bakershotline

09/14/2009

Philipp' from Malmö, Sweden

(only 4 stars, as I am mid-way through activating it) I bought this starter, and it is performing nicely. I haven't yet completed its activation. Can you tell me a little bit of its origin? Approximate date and location of birth? I want to label its container correctly.
Thanks for asking about the starter. It is a classic New England Starter that has been maintained for over 200 years. The version that we maintain was given to KAF by Brinna Sands many years ago, and has been living in Norwich for many years now. Happy Baking!

07/31/2009

Cheryl F from Georgia

It's my newest "pet". I have to look at it everyday! The bread I made was divine. I just hope I can keep it alive for many years to come!

05/18/2009

pam from green valley AZ

My starter has been very peppy, but my breads have not risen well and turn out too dense and hard. I'm at 4000' elevation. Could that be influencing? Also, I've got a LOT of brown hooch. -- Is that okay?
Give us a call on our bBaker's Hot Line and one of our bakers would be glad to help you trouble shoot. Hootch is normal as it gets hungry. Mary @ KAF

05/10/2009

Jim from Redondo Beach, CA

I am getting ready to order another KAF sourdough starter and I feel sad, but happy that I will have one again. After 3 years of incredible service, Vern came down with a terminal case of dreaded mold after my refrigerator developed some mechanical problems that rendered the temperature perfect for mold cultivation. Vern was tough and had pulled through hard times where I forgot to feed him for a month. I thought he was invulnerable to everything and would always come back again. What a wonderful time we had together, all the perfect, crusty loaves of white and wheat. I especially miss the sourdough pizza’s so full of flavor and crunch. Ahh, the pancakes, waffles and bagels of which the thought makes my mouth water. I sure can’t wait for my new KAF starter to arrive. I know we will grow so close that I will have to name him or her again. What name will I give this time?

04/09/2009

WS from Burlington, VT

I'm new to bread baking (Feb. 28, 2009) and thought that sourdough bread might be the trickiest loaf I would ever make. This starter made it all so easy and the results have been fantastic with the three recipes that I have tried - the ultra sour, Merlin's Magic and the ultimate sourdough baguettes. The starter arrived in excellent condition and has been so easy to maintain. I plan some of my baking around the "feeding time" of the starter so that works really well. I don't use salt in my bread baking and I haven't missed it with this starter and the great breads that have resulted. I would recommend this starter and the crock (perfect storage) for anyone who wants to try sourdough baking.

04/07/2009

kathrine w. from Franklin, TN

Best starter I've ever used! My husband's mother has had many different ones also and he grew up eating sourdough everyday and he said this is the best starter he's ever had in his mouth.

04/01/2009

Bill W. from Carbondale, IL

While KAF provides a recipe for starting a starter from scratch, the ones I have made tended to be a bit "slow". This starter is really vigorous - after 2 days of feeding (after delivery) it is definitely ready to bake with. The odor is wonderful - fruity and sour. I'll let you know how the first loaf turns out on Saturday.

03/27/2009

Amy from NC

Not the sourdough I figured it would be. I was hoping for something like what you'd get in Germany. However, it just tastes like a home-baked white bread. Very flour-flavored and not sourdough at all. It took a lot of work, especially since I stay home with my toddler, so I don't always have the right time to do such preparation required for this bread. I would avoid this expense (shipping plus whatever else you get - I got the instant yeast, too) and go for something much more simple next time.

Amy - I am sorry you were disappointed. We always have a baker available who can talk you through the process. Call our Bakers' Hotline, 1-802-649-3717 for assistance. Elisabeth @ KAF