Hi Lauren, I doubt the change in your starter is related to changing your water source, but it's possible. The shift in consistency and aroma that you describe sounds more like a starter that is taking a little longer to ripen, so perhaps your normal feeding times are corresponding to an earlier stage in the ripening process when the starter doesn't smell quite as sour and the structure is a little thicker and not as foamy. This can happen with the shift in seasons, as the starter is likely to take a little longer to ripen when your house gets cooler. If your starter spent more time in the refrigerator over the summer it might also be behaving a little sluggishly, and a day or two of twice a day feedings at room temperature should restore it to its normal aroma and rising behavior. 

• Reply