---
type: "article"
title: "Your sourdough starter probably isn't dead"
summary: "It's just sulking. Nine times out of ten, the fix is boring and it works."
newsletter: "Ferment"
newsletter_handle: "ferment"
newsletter_url: "https://staging.in.usecommune.com/n/ferment"
author: "Nadia Rossi (@nadiarossi)"
published: "2026-08-22T08:30:00.000Z"
canonical_url: "https://staging.in.usecommune.com/n/ferment/a/your-starter-isnt-dead"
markdown_url: "https://staging.in.usecommune.com/n/ferment/a/your-starter-isnt-dead.md"
chat_url: "https://staging.in.usecommune.com/n/ferment/a/your-starter-isnt-dead/chat"
body_source: "imported"
likes: 8
replies: 0
body_words: 66
---

# Your sourdough starter probably isn't dead

I get this email every week: 'I think I killed my starter.' You almost certainly didn't.

## The revival ritual

- Discard all but a spoonful.
- Feed equal parts flour and water by weight.
- Keep it somewhere warm and wait. Actually wait.

> A starter is a pet that eats flour and forgives you. Feed it twice and it comes back from almost anything.

***

## Discussion

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