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Sourdough Sorcery
Sourdough Sorcery is a podcast for home bakers, bread lovers, and curious cooks who want to turn simple ingredients into something truly magical.
Hosted by Gloria MacDonald, the Sourdough Sorceress, this show blends stories, science, and a sprinkle of sourdough magic to help you bake better bread, nourish your body, and fall in love with the slow, satisfying art of sourdough.
Each episode dives into:
- The health benefits of sourdough and long fermentation
- The why behind the process—from starters and fermentation to flavor and texture
- Practical tips, techniques, and troubleshooting for real home kitchens
- Creative ideas for using sourdough beyond bread, including discard recipes and seasonal bakes
- The deeper joy of slowing down, baking with intention, and sharing food with the people you love
Whether you’re brand new to sourdough or a seasoned baker looking for fresh inspiration, Sourdough Sorcery is your cozy companion in the kitchen—here to make sourdough feel approachable, empowering, and a little bit magical.
New episodes serve up knowledge, encouragement, and plenty of crusty inspiration to help you bake with confidence and create loaves you’re proud to share.
Learn more, explore recipes, and discover tools of the trade at SourdoughSorcery.com.
Sourdough Sorcery
The 4 Variables That Control Your Sourdough Starter
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If your sourdough starter isn’t rising, seems weak, or won’t bounce back after sitting in the fridge, this episode will simplify everything.
Your starter responds to just four variables:
Flour
Water
Temperature
Time
In this episode, I walk you through how each of these affects activity and strength, why bleached flour can cause problems, why temperature control matters more than most people realize, and what to expect when reactivating a starter that has been unfed in the refrigerator for weeks.
Most starter struggles are not about failure. They are about environment.
When you understand the variables, everything becomes calmer and more predictable.
If you want a structured, step-by-step approach to mastering your starter, click HERE to learn more about The 7-Day Starter Method™ Online Class.