Why Are We Giving Away $20 LIVE Sourdough Starters For Free?

Good Question. Here's The Honest Answer: We'd Rather 100 People Try Our Heritage Yeast & Tell Their Friends Than Spend $5,000 On Facebook Ads Hoping Strangers Might Care. Fair Trade? Claim Your Free Starter Here →
Get My Free Starter

What’s the fastest way to start baking sourdough at home?

Let me guess. You want that first crackle, that proud little ear, that “I made this” moment.

Here’s the part no one says out loud:

  • Starting from scratch can take weeks.
  • Daily feedings feel like a part-time job.
  • “Is that mold?” becomes a nightly Google.

Half the attempts… don’t make it.

The quiet truth? You don’t have to start from scratch.

Begin with a heritage culture that wakes up fast, rises reliably, and lets you bake real bread - sooner.

How do I activate a dehydrated sourdough starter?

Ask. Stir. Wait. Bake.

1

What am I receiving in the packet?

Open the envelope and pour the dehydrated starter flakes into a clean jar.
You’re ready to activate once you have flour, warm water, and a loose cover.

2

How do I wake up the dehydrated starter?

Mix the flakes with warm water and flour, stir well, and cover loosely. Let it rest at room temp - your first bubbles usually show within 12–24 hours.

3

How do I know my starter is active?

Feed it again on the schedule (discard if needed), keeping the jar warm. In 24–48 hours you should see bubbles, a tangy aroma, and noticeable rise (often doubling).

4

When can I bake my first loaf?

Bake when your starter reliably rises after a feeding (ideally doubles within 4–8 hours). Use it to mix dough, let it ferment overnight, shape, proof, and bake.

Start For Free

What do I get when I claim the free sourdough starter?

You’ll receive a 288-year-old dehydrated sourdough culture plus a step-by-step activation guide, a beginner-friendly first loaf recipe, a feeding schedule, and troubleshooting help. Everything is designed for first-timers so you can go from packet to active starter and a real loaf without guesswork.
  • 288-year-old dehydrated sourdough starter (creates full, active starter)
  • Complete 48-hour activation guide with photos
  • Beginner-friendly and foolproof first loaf recipe
  • Feeding and maintenance schedule
  • Troubleshooting guide for common questions
Total Value $47
Your Price Today $0
Get My Free Starter
Just pay $4.95 for shipping

What do bakers say after they try our starter?

Customers often get faster confidence and fewer failed attempts thanks to clear activation steps and a predictable rise. Several highlight the emotional payoff: an actual ear, a crackly crust, and the “I made this” moment. Plus how fun it feels to bake with a heritage culture.

Jessica M.

Three failed attempts. I almost gave up. This one worked exactly like the instructions said. My first loaf had an actual ear. I cried. I couldn't believe it.

Jessica M. Portland, OR
Michael R.

My kids think baking with 288-year-old yeast is the coolest thing ever. During one baking sesh, we named our starter 'Grandma Edna.'

Michael R. Boulder, CO
David L.

Was spending $12 per loaf at the bakery. Saved over $400 by baking my own. And mine's better.

David L. Seattle, WA
Amanda K.

I forgot to feed it for two weeks. It came right back to life. This is the starter for people who don't have their lives together.

Amanda K. Austin, TX

Why should I claim the starter now?

Because each batch is made in limited monthly releases, and spots can fill before the next restock. If your starter doesn’t activate within 48 hours, we’ll replace it at no cost. Claiming now means you can start the ~72-hour activation process right away instead of waiting.

Get My Free StarterContact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never baked bread. Is this too hard?

Nope. If you can stir water into flour, you can do this. Our instructions assume zero experience and, if you need any additional help, reach out and let's see what we can do.

What flour should I feed it?

All-purpose or bread flour works great to start. We include simple ratios and a schedule so you don’t overthink it.

What if I kill my free starter?

Our starters lived through wars, migrations, famines, and everything else that happened for the past few centuries. It can survive your kitchen. If something goes wrong, let us know and we'll send another packet free.

How much time will my first loaf take?

About 15 minutes of actual work spread across 3 days. Most of the time is waiting.

What's the catch?

There isn't one. We hope you love it so much you try our other heritage starters someday. That's it.

Return Policy

Refund policy

Thank you for choosing Mother’s Country Store. We want every customer to have a great experience with our sourdough starters. Because our products are perishable, food-based cultures, we cannot accept physical returns - however, we proudly stand behind the quality of every starter we ship.

Damages, Issues & Starter Performance

Please inspect your order upon arrival and contact us immediately if:

  • your starter arrives damaged,
  • your package arrives incomplete,
  • you received the wrong item, or
  • your starter fails to activate or perform as expected.

Email us at support@motherscountrystore.com within 7 days of delivery, and we will make it right with a free replacement, or a full refund, whichever you prefer.

We may request a photo so we can troubleshoot and improve our quality control.

Non-Returnable Items

Due to the nature of our products, we cannot accept physical returns for:

  • sourdough starters
  • any other perishable or food-based items

These items cannot be restocked or resold once shipped.

We also do not accept returns on sale items or gift cards.

European Union 14-Day Cooling-Off Period

If your order is shipped into the European Union, you have the legal right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving it, for any reason and without providing a justification.

Because our products are perishable, cancellation applies before the product is opened or used, and items do not need to be physically returned.
If you wish to exercise this right, please contact us at support@motherscountrystore.com.

Refunds

Once we approve a refund, it will be processed to your original payment method within 10 business days.

Please note:

  • Banks and card issuers may take additional time to post the refund.
  • If more than 15 business days have passed since we approved the refund, please reach out to us at support@motherscountrystore.com.

Questions?

We’re here to help. Contact us anytime at support@motherscountrystore.com.