Stage 1: Meeting Angus (Revival)
I’ve just received my pouch. Do I have to start today?
No! One of the perks of dried Angus is he’s shelf-stable. Keep him in a cool, dry place, and he’ll be ready whenever you are.
What equipment do I need to wake him up?
Just a clean glass clip top jar (we recommend over 1.5l in volume), some strong white Canadian bread flour, and filtered water.
It’s Day 2 and nothing is happening. Is he broken?
Don’t panic! Like all of us, Angus can be a bit groggy after a long sleep. Keep him somewhere warm (around 21°C) and be patient.
Why do I need to use filtered water?
Chlorine in tap water can sometimes upset the natural wild yeast. If you don't have a filter, just leave a jug of tap water out for 1-2 hours to let the chlorine dissipate.
The instructions say 'lukewarm' water. What temperature is that exactly?
For about 25°C to 28°C. If it feels slightly warm to your touch (like a baby’s bathwater), it’s perfect. If it’s hot, you might accidentally kill the yeast; if it’s too cold, Angus will just stay asleep a bit longer.
My kitchen is freezing! Will Angus still wake up?
Yes, but he’ll be slow. If your kitchen is below 18°C, try keeping your jar in a "warm spot" - on top of the fridge, inside a boiler cupboard, near (but not touching) a radiator (like a windowsill), or inside an unlit oven with just the internal light turned on.
I see tiny bubbles, but he isn’t doubling in size yet. Is that okay?
Totally normal for Day 1 or 2! The tiny bubbles are the first sign of life. Doubling in size usually happens once the yeast colony has fully established itself, usually by Day 3 or 4 of feeding.
How long will the second dose last in the pouch? Can I use it another way?
Providing it is sealed within the pouch or an airtight container it can last up to a year, but we advise 6 months - if you really want to test yourself, you can use the second dose to create siblings! For example we have Angus Wild utilising Rye flour and Angus Earth utilising Wholemeal flour, you can experiment.
Stage 2: Life with Angus (Maintenance)
How often do I really need to feed him?
If he’s living on your worktop, daily. If you’re a weekend warrior, he’s happy to nap in the fridge for a week or two between feeds.
There is a grey liquid on top of my starter. Have I killed him?
That’s just "hooch"! It means Angus is hungry. Simply pour it off and give him a good feed.
What flour should I use to feed Angus?
He loves strong white Canadian bread flour. You can use wholemeal too, but it will make him a bit more "active" and change the flavour profile - if you want to play around with flavours and different flours, drop us a message and we can help you here! We are launching our Bread Club Subscription in the future which would be perfect for experimenting with flavours and inclusions.
I’m going on holiday for two weeks. What do I do?
Give him a big feed, pop him in the fridge, and he’ll be waiting for you when you get back.
I accidentally left Angus in the fridge for a month without feeding him. Is he dead?
Probably not! Sourdough is incredibly resilient. Pour off any dark liquid (hooch), discard 2/3 of it, and give it a "reset feed" (equal parts flour and water). He might need two or three feeds to get back to his bubbly self, but he’s likely just fine.
Can I freeze my active starter?
You can, but we don't recommend it as a primary storage method as it can weaken the yeast. Having two doses in our pouches gives you this long term back-up!
What is the 'Hooch' and should I be worried?
Hooch is the thin layer of liquid (sometimes clear, sometimes grey/black) that forms on top. It’s just alcohol, a by-product of the yeast letting you know it’s run out of food. Pour it off and proceed with your feed.
Why does my starter smell like vinegar/nail polish remover?
That’s Angus's way of saying "Feed me!" When the yeast is hungry, it produces more acetic acid. A good feed of fresh flour and water will bring back that sweet, yeasty, slightly fruity smell within a few hours.
Stage 3: Troubleshooting the Bake
My bread didn't rise. What happened?
Usually, it’s a timing or temperature issue. Was Angus bubbly and at his "peak" when you used him?
How do I know when Angus is ready to bake?
The Float Test! Drop a large dollop of your active starter into a glass of water. If it floats, it's go-time.
My dough is a sticky mess and won’t hold its shape. What happened?
This usually means the dough is over-proofed (it sat out too long) or the flour couldn't handle the amount of water. Try reducing the water slightly next time, or check on your dough an hour earlier. Sourdough is alive, so it moves faster on warm days!
My crust is too hard/thick. How do I soften it?
This often happens if the oven is too dry. Try baking your loaf inside a pre-heated Dutch oven (or a heavy pot with a lid) to trap the steam. This keeps the crust soft while the bread expands.
When is the best time to bake once I've fed Angus?
You want to use him when he is at his "peak" usually 4 to 8 hours after feeding but dependant on kitchen and temperature so always look for when he has doubled in size and is full of bubbles. If he’s started to sink back down, he’s past his peak; give him a small "snack" (a tablespoon of flour and water) and wait an hour.
Can I use the 'discard' for anything?
Absolutely! Don't throw it away. You can make pancakes, crackers, or crumpets. Check out "The Pantry" for monthly recipes and we will have a guide coming out shortly for those more advanced recipes!
Stage 4: Orders & Delivery
Why do you offer two doses in the pouch?
That’s our "Insurance Policy." We know life happens! If you accidentally bake your only jar of starter (it happens to the best of us!) or forget him for a month, you have a backup dose ready to go.
Can I name my starter something else?
Angus won't be offended! While he’s part of our family heritage, once he’s in your kitchen, he’s yours. We’d love to hear what names you come up with - tag us on Instagram!
Do you ship outside of Kent/UK?
Currently we only ship within the UK but it may be something we look to do in the future!
How long does delivery take?
We aim to dispatch all orders within 48 hours. We use Royal Mail Tracked, so you can usually expect Angus on your doorstep within 3–5 working days.
Does the starter go 'off' in the post?
Not at all! Because Angus is fully dehydrated and heat-sealed, he is completely dormant and shelf-stable. He doesn't mind a few days in a delivery van one bit.
My package arrived damaged. What should I do?
We take great care in our packaging, but if Angus arrives in a sorry state, please take a photo and email us at info@kentsourdoughco.com immediately. We’ll get a replacement sent out to you faster than a loaf rises!
Can I include a gift message?
Absolutely! Sourdough makes a wonderful gift. Just leave your message in the 'Notes' section at checkout, and we’ll include a handwritten card with the pouch.
Can I return my starter if I change my mind?
Due to the nature of the product, our sourdough starter is classed as a perishable food item and cannot be returned or exchanged once dispatched. However, if your package arrives damaged or there is an issue with the seal, please contact us immediately so we can make it right.
Is the packaging recyclable?
Yes! We’ve chosen our pouches and mailers specifically to ensure they are as kind to the environment as Angus is to your gut.
Stage 5: Dietary & Ingredients
What are the ingredients in the pouch?
Just two things: Organic strong white bread flour and filtered water. That’s it. No preservatives, no commercial yeast, and no additives.
Is Angus gluten-free?
No. Angus is raised on organic wheat flour and contains gluten. While many people with mild gluten sensitivities find long-fermentation sourdough easier to digest, it is not suitable for Coeliacs.
Is your kitchen nut-free?
While our starter ingredients are nut-free, Angus is produced in a home kitchen that may handle nuts, seeds, and other allergens.
Is Angus suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Absolutely! Angus is made entirely from plant-based ingredients (organic flour and water). No animal products or by-products are used in our starter or our dehydration process, making it 100% vegan-friendly.