Make Your First Sourdough Loaf

What is Sourdough? 

• Broken down to the bare basics, a simple loaf of sourdough consists of flour, water and salt. Add to that culture (also flour and water), warmth and time, and we get a loaf of bread that will hopefully turn you away from store-bought loaves for good.

• An organic process (the oldest way to make bread, actually), baking a loaf of sourdough takes time and effort. Lots. It is after all the natural transformation of the above ingredients into something that will change your dietary life forever.

Why Sourdough?

• A key part of the whole process is fermentation. During fermentation, naturally occurring yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) work at breaking down the flour for food. LAB breaks down the flour to get carbohydrates for food, leaving sugars for the yeast.

• The yeast feed on the sugars, creating carbon dioxide, which causes the loaf to rise. Thus, flour is rendered into a state that is easily broken down and digested by us, being more suitable for people who suffer from certain digestive issues like gluten intolerance. Even those with a healthy digestive system will benefit, as their systems are not stressed, and over time will continue to maintain a healthy balance of gut microbes.

• Acidity of the loaf inhibits mold development, so your bread lasts longer on your countertop (without chemical help).