For families new to fresh milled sourdough
Unsifted® Dehydrated Sourdough Starter: a fresh milled sourdough starter for baking with confidence
Skip the month of feeding, the endless research and the “will this even work with fresh flour?” doubts. This dehydrated sourdough starter is made with 100% freshly milled flour, so your freshly milled sourdough begins with a strong, mature culture. It rehydrates in just 3 days, and you can begin using it in as little as 4. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment.
New to fresh flour sourdough? See how the starter, course and App fit together on our fresh flour sourdough page.
This is for you
Fresh flour sourdough, without the guesswork
If a starter has ever left you second guessing, you are not doing anything wrong. Fresh flour tends to ferment faster, so a fresh flour starter needs refreshing more often. And most sourdough starter instructions are written for commercial flour, not freshly milled flour.
- Feeding a new starter for a month before you can bake with it
- “Is it dying? Is it working? Is this good or bad?”
- “Should it have liquid on top? I just fed it.”
- “Why does it smell weird?”
Many people’s starters die along the way at least once or twice, and it’s not your fault. We made this starter to take those questions off your plate.
Your starter is a dry version of our mature Unsifted® Basic Blend starter named Zoe, merged with a mature Alaskan culture that’s been thriving for over 35 years. It is fed exclusively with freshly milled 100% Unsifted® Basic Blend, nurtured with care and then slowly dehydrated so it can travel to your kitchen. It is a mature, stable culture, so you can start baking sourdough with confidence, no matter your location.
What’s included
Everything in Your Dehydrated Sourdough Starter Purchase
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1 pouch, 12 grams
Unsifted® Dehydrated Sourdough Starter, fed with 100% freshly milled Unsifted® Basic Blend.
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QR code instruction card
Links to our digital written instructions for rehydration, created specifically for use with Unsifted® Basic Blend freshly milled flour.
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Not included, sold separately
Unsifted® Basic Blend for rehydrating, video instructions in the Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course and sourdough recipes in the Unsifted® App.
For all the data nerdsSee starter details
| Net weight | 12 grams |
|---|---|
| Fed with | 100% freshly milled Unsifted® Basic Blend |
| Culture | Our mature starter Zoe, merged with an Alaskan culture thriving for over 35 years |
| Timing | Rehydrates in 3 days; ready to use in as little as 4. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment. |
| Best used | Ideally within 4 months; may stay active up to 12 months from the day you receive it if stored correctly |
| Contains | Wheat |
| Non-GMO | Yes |
How it works
How to use a dehydrated sourdough starter in 3 simple steps
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Step 1 · Scan
Open your instructionsScan the QR code on the included card to open our written rehydration instructions, made for Unsifted® Basic Blend.
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Step 2 · Rehydrate
Feed it fresh flourFollow the instructions with freshly milled Unsifted® Basic Blend. Your starter rehydrates in just 3 days. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment.
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Step 3 · Bake
Start your sourdoughBegin using your starter in as little as 4 days. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment. Find freshly milled sourdough recipes in the Unsifted® App.
Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course
Go from confused to confident in 14 days
A very different way to start. You can begin with zero sourdough research. Pair this starter with Start Confident™, begin using your starter in as little as 4 days, and feel confident about how to do it in 14. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment.
Start Confident™ is an online, on demand sourdough starter masterclass for the sourdough novice. Join Keira at her house as she walks you through the Unsifted® Sour Method, one clear, step-by-step method that takes you from confused to confident in just 14 days.
- 14-day guided planHands-on guided learning, one day at a time.
- Video lessons3 hours of guided video learning and demos, including video instructions.
- Printables and recipesA printable process card, 15 printable PDF resources and 3 starter discard recipes on the Unsifted® App.
A digital course only; your starter and Unsifted® Basic Blend are sold separately.
When to use it
When to use your dehydrated sourdough starter
Ideally use it within 4 months. It may stay active up to 12 months from the day you receive it if stored correctly. Dehydrated starter is naturally preserved, so it doesn’t expire quickly the way active starter does.
- 0 to 4 monthsWakes up beautifully, usually right on schedule.
- 4 to 9 monthsStill great; may take slightly longer to show activity.
- 9 to 12 monthsStill usable. Store it in the refrigerator to help it stay active, and know it may take several more days of refreshes to become active. A little patience goes a long way.
Pro tip: Rehydrate it within the first 4 months for the strongest, fastest activation.
The grain it is made with
Pair your fresh milled sourdough starter with Unsifted® Basic Blend
Your starter is fed exclusively with freshly milled Basic Blend, and the rehydration instructions are written for it. Basic Blend mills into a whole wheat bread flour for soft, lofty breads, including sourdough. It is a blend of wheats in a proprietary ratio you’ll only find at Unsifted®, so you never have to mix grains yourself.
See the full Basic Blend nutrition label for free in the Unsifted® App.
Keep going
Your next steps for freshly milled sourdough
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See your options
Our fresh flour sourdough page compares the dehydrated starter, the Start Confident™ Course and the Unsifted® App, so you can see which fits you.
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Get coached step by step
The Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course is built with the novice in mind.
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Bake from tested recipes
Find 100% freshly milled flour sourdough recipes in the Unsifted® App.
The starter, the course and the App, side by side.
Questions before you buy
Fresh milled sourdough starter FAQ
Can I make sourdough with freshly milled flour?
Yes. Freshly milled sourdough can feel harder at first: dense, gummy loaves, overwhelming starter schedules and conflicting advice are common. That is why we made this dehydrated sourdough starter with 100% freshly milled flour, plus one clear method in the Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course. Our fresh flour sourdough page shows how the starter, the course and the Unsifted® App fit together.
What flour is best for fresh milled sourdough?
Our starter is fed exclusively with freshly milled Unsifted® Basic Blend, and the rehydration instructions are written for it. Basic Blend mills into a whole wheat bread flour for soft, lofty breads, including sourdough. Shop Unsifted® Basic Blend.
How do I use a dehydrated sourdough starter?
Scan the QR code on the included card to open our digital written instructions for rehydration, created for use with Unsifted® Basic Blend freshly milled flour. The starter rehydrates in just 3 days, and you can begin using it in as little as 4. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment.
What is included?
One pouch with 12 grams of Unsifted® Dehydrated Sourdough Starter, and a card with a QR code linked to our digital written instructions for rehydration. Unsifted® Basic Blend, video instructions and sourdough recipes are sold separately.
Do I need Unsifted® Basic Blend to rehydrate it?
You can use other grains, and Unsifted® Basic Blend is the one we’ve tested and recommend for this starter. The written rehydration instructions are made specifically for Basic Blend freshly milled flour, and Basic Blend is not included with the starter. Our recipes are written for our blends, but if you don’t have them yet, you can substitute other grains. Just know they may take some adjusting to get the same results.
How long does dehydrated sourdough starter last?
It is ideally used within 4 months, and it may stay active up to 12 months from the day you receive it if stored correctly. Dehydrated starter is naturally preserved, so it doesn’t expire quickly the way active starter does. Using it sooner gives the strongest, fastest activation, and starter in the 9 to 12 month range may take several more days of refreshes to become active. Storing it in the refrigerator helps it stay active.
How do I care for my starter after rehydrating?
Refresh your starter, following the sourdough protocols in the Unsifted® App or the Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course. Feel free to google or try other people’s ratios. There are lots of ways to succeed. The goal of the Unsifted® Sour Method is simply to simplify things and cut the noise by giving you one trusted way to get there.
Are there video instructions?
Your starter comes with written rehydration instructions. Video instructions are included in the Unsifted® Start Confident™ Course, along with a 14-day hands-on guided plan and printable resources.
Where can I find freshly milled sourdough recipes?
Our 100% freshly milled flour sourdough recipes are in the Unsifted® App.
Can I use my own starter?
Yes. You can bake the sourdough recipes in the Unsifted® App with your own starter. If you are brand new to freshly milled sourdough, our fresh flour sourdough page shows which path fits you.
Do I need a grain mill?
To make freshly milled flour at home, you mill whole grains like Unsifted® Basic Blend in a grain mill. No mill yet? The Unsifted® Starter Kit pairs the WonderMill® Electric Grain Mill with our blends.
Ready to start your freshly milled sourdough?
- 100% freshly milled flour
- Ready to use in as little as 4 days. Timing may vary based on your kitchen environment.
- Written instructions included
Need grain too? Shop Unsifted® Basic Blend or the Unsifted® Bakers Bundle.
Customer Reviews
I couldn’t wait to get this starter in the mail!It was so easy to rehydrate it and am so happy with the purchase. The story of this starter and the benefits of fresh milled sourdough are exciting to me and love baking for my family. Using the Unsfted method is perfection.
I had no problems with Zoe the starter. She is very healthy!
The starter worked great for me along with the detailed instructions. I haven’t made sourdough before and it was easy with the Unsifted starter.
