Getting Started with Sourdough: How to Make a Starter From Scratch

9. Types of Flour

A sourdough starter can be made with any grain-based flour. The starter can be made with any flour from rice to einkorn to wheat to spelt to rye. Luckily, the starter flour does not have to correspond with the bread flour. You can use any grain starter in your bread or pizza dough. Whole-grain flours like pumpernickel or whole wheat have many other components that may make the starter more finicky. However, their wild yeast gives a rich, strong taste to any dough. Save whole-grain flour starters for once you’re experienced with making sourdough starters. We recommend an easy, all-purpose white flour for beginners.