What Is Sourdough Discard?

Here and in many blogs and recipes, it's common to see recipes calling for sourdough starter discard.

But what exactly is discard?

Nothing more than starter that hasn't been fed recently — not active and bubbly.

You know when you used some and kept the rest in the fridge for a few days or a week? That's discard.

We can use it in many recipes, especially soft and sweet batters, because they contain other ingredients that help with texture and rise, like baking soda, egg, and even baking powder and yeast.

It's a great way to use up that ‘old’ starter sitting in the fridge, or when you want to make a recipe but forgot to feed it with flour and water the day before using it.