Vallecito Farm Fresh — "Mabel" Heritage San Francisco Sourdough Starter (Dried)

Bake real San Francisco sourdough at home with "Mabel," a heritage starter with more than 145 years of history.

Mabel is a living San Francisco sourdough culture that has been fed and passed down for over 145 years. Vallecito Farm Fresh dries her into stable flakes so she can travel safely and wake up in your kitchen. Heritage starters like this one carry a mature, well-established mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria, which is what gives true San Francisco sourdough its tangy flavor, open crumb and crackly crust.

Long, slow sourdough fermentation has been the traditional way to make bread for generations, and many people find naturally leavened bread easier to enjoy than bread made with commercial yeast.

Who it's for

• New bakers who want a proven, reliable starter instead of building one from scratch
• Experienced bakers looking for a true San Francisco sourdough flavor
• A great gift for anyone who loves baking or homesteading

How to wake her up

1. Mix the dried flakes with a little lukewarm, unchlorinated water and let them soften.
2. Stir in an equal weight of flour, cover loosely, and keep somewhere warm.
3. Feed with equal parts flour and water every 12 to 24 hours.
4. Within a few days she will be bubbly, double after feeding and smell pleasantly sour. That means she is ready to bake.

Once active, keep Mabel on the counter with daily feedings, or in the fridge with a feeding once a week. Store the dried starter in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use it.

Made locally by Vallecito Farm Fresh, the makers of the solid dish soap on our shelves.