The process of maintaining a sourdough culture for extended periods involves techniques to slow down or halt its activity. This ensures the culture remains viable for future use. One common method includes refrigeration to decrease metabolic rate; another is drying the culture into a shelf-stable form.
Maintaining a reserve culture offers several advantages. It safeguards against loss due to contamination or neglect. A preserved culture enables the baker to revive the starter at a later date, eliminating the need to restart the fermentation process from scratch. Historically, preservation methods were essential for sourdough’s continued use across generations.
