FAQ
Mother Starter
What is a Mother Starter?
A starter is a type of prefermented dough (aka “preferment”) used as a leavening agent to raise and flavor dough. The “Mother Starter” is kept alive perpetually, either in your refrigerator or at room temperature. It can be used directly in a bread dough recipe or a portion of it can be elaborated into a larger piece to use as the starter in a final dough. Whenever the mother starter gets low, it can be refreshed or rebuilt by adding more flour and water and allowing it to ferment to full potency.
How much Mother Starter should I keep on hand?
It depends on how often you bake and how large your batches are. For most home bakers, half to one pound of mother starter is sufficient. It stays viable and potent for at least 4 to 5 days after being refreshed, and only a few ounces of new flour and water are needed to rebuild it, so there’s no need to keep more than what’s required for two to three bakes.
Can I save a starter that hasn’t been used for a long time (like months), and has separated in the container and feels like putty or mush?
Yes! The liquid will separate from the dough and float to the top, called “liquor” or “likker,” which can be strained off. To revitalize the putty-like dough paste, scoop out 1 ounce of the dough and feed it with four times its weight in fresh flour and water. Allow 8 to 24 hours to ferment and grow into a new mother starter.
How can I make my starter and breads more sour?
For a more sour taste, add a small amount of sugar (about 1 teaspoon) when refreshing the starter to foster bacteria that produce more acetic flavor. If you prefer less sourness, you can use a spike of instant yeast in the final dough to reduce fermentation time.
Methods & Variations
What is the mixed or spiked method and how do I choose between it and the pure sourdough version?
Sourdough breads and pizzas can be leavened by sourdough starter alone, or with both sourdough starter and commercial yeast. The mixed method (also called spiking the dough) guarantees a predictable rise and produces a less acidic flavor. It’s common in many European bakeries. The percentage of yeast added can range from 0.1% to 0.66% of the total flour weight, depending on the recipe. A more acidic flavor can be achieved in a purist sourdough approach, but the mixed method provides a quicker rise with good flavor complexity.
Can I add whole grain flour to my starter?
Yes, you can, but whole grain flour is more enzymatically active and breaks down faster than white flour. It’s especially useful when building a starter from scratch, but for long-term maintenance, it’s better to use white flour. You can also add whole grain flour to the final dough for whole grain bread and pizza.
Which is better, a firm mother starter or a sponge starter?
It’s a personal choice. Many prefer a sponge starter because it’s easier to refresh, while others like a firm starter that’s closer in hydration to the final dough. The hydration ratio is the key difference between a sponge and firm starter. You can adjust the water content in your dough based on which starter you use.
Troubleshooting & Tips
What if my initial starter doesn’t seem to activate or ferment, even after a few days of building it?
Aerating the starter by stirring every 6-8 hours can help accelerate fermentation and prevent contamination. In colder environments, it may take longer to activate, but don’t give up. If there’s no bubbling activity after three days, discard half of the sponge and rebuild it with fresh flour and water to help jumpstart the process.
Can I freeze or save unbaked naturally leavened dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough. Flatten it and place it in a plastic zip bag (mist the inside with spray oil). When you’re ready to use it, move it to the refrigerator overnight or defrost at room temperature for 3-4 hours, then re-form it 3-4 hours before baking.
Shipping
Do You Offer Free Shipping?
Yes! We offer free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. on orders over $49.
Do You Ship Internationally?
At this time, we do not ship internationally. However, we do ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico with reasonable rates.
How Long Will It Take for My Order to Arrive?
Orders typically ship within 5 business days, and delivery time depends on your location and chosen shipping method. Please refer to your shipment confirmation for tracking details.
How Can I Check the Status of My Order?
Once your order is processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email. When it ships, a tracking number will be sent to you, so you can track your order’s journey.
Can I Change or Cancel My Order?
We process orders quickly. If you need to cancel or change an order, please contact us as soon as possible. If we can’t cancel it, you can return it within 30 days for a refund.
Packaging
How Do You Ensure My Product Arrives in Perfect Condition?
We carefully package each item with recyclable materials and foam inserts that mold to the product, ensuring that it arrives safe and sound.
Can I Reuse the Packaging?
Yes! We strive to be as sustainable as possible. Our packaging is recyclable and reusable, so feel free to give it a second life.
Sustainability
What Materials Are Your Products Made From?
Our products are crafted from beautiful, durable ceramics and glass, carefully sourced to ensure minimal environmental impact.
What Is Your Sustainability Commitment?
We’re all about giving back to the earth. Our products are packaged with recyclable materials, and we donate 10% of every purchase to charity. By supporting Kook, you're also supporting sustainable practices.
Returns & Customer Service
What Is Your Return Policy?
If you're not satisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days, and we'll send you a return label for a full refund.
Do You Offer Exchanges?
Yes! If you'd prefer an exchange instead of a refund, we can assist you in choosing another product.
How Do I Contact You for Support?
You can fill out the contact form on our website, and our team will get back to you quickly to assist with any questions or issues.
Do You Offer Gift Cards?
Yes! You can purchase e-gift cards on our website. They can be redeemed online, or by calling our customer service team.