Hi again Bob, thanks for clarifying! I'm definitely more concerned about a starter that has been left out at room temperature for a few months without a feeding, and since your starter responded so quickly to a feeding, it sounds like the rise might well be due to a type of bacteria that gives off carbon dioxide. If this is the case, the starter is likely to stop rising for several days, inspite of subsequent feedings. If, on the other hand, the starter continues to rise predictably when fed twice daily at room temperature, and shows no more signs of the black specks you saw, then you're probably fine to continue. I suspect, however, that your starter is going to stop rising, in which case I would start over. Check out this article for some tips on how to avoid that unhelpful bacteria when you begin your new starter.
January 29, 2022 at 10:11am
In reply to Hi Barb, thanks for… by Bob (not verified)
Hi again Bob, thanks for clarifying! I'm definitely more concerned about a starter that has been left out at room temperature for a few months without a feeding, and since your starter responded so quickly to a feeding, it sounds like the rise might well be due to a type of bacteria that gives off carbon dioxide. If this is the case, the starter is likely to stop rising for several days, inspite of subsequent feedings. If, on the other hand, the starter continues to rise predictably when fed twice daily at room temperature, and shows no more signs of the black specks you saw, then you're probably fine to continue. I suspect, however, that your starter is going to stop rising, in which case I would start over. Check out this article for some tips on how to avoid that unhelpful bacteria when you begin your new starter.