The Sourdough Culture
Learn how to go from a sack of flour to an Insta-worthy loaf of authentic sourdough.
Courses · Bake Kits · Troubleshooting · And more!
Bread is the staff of life. Get a taste for the real thing.
Treasured for millenia, the lost art of sourdough has been making a popular comeback over the past few years.
From the hipster bake shops to home artisans, it now commands premium shelf space in stores nationwide.
At Spice & Zest we’ve been teaching it all for years:
Fermenting your very own ‘starter‘
Baking freeform and pan loaves
Advancing ‘scoring’ techniques
Sounds French to you? Don’t get all crusty about it! Over the past decade we have guided hundreds of newly-minted home bakers from “Ooh, that sounds like it could be interesting” to “Oh my god, I can’t believe I baked that!” If you are here, you are ready to join our community of proud artisans.
As with everything Spice & Zest, we want you to chill.
To take it easy. To follow the steps. To experiment when you feel like it. To relish the healthy life instead of worrying about someone else’s Instagram feed. That’s why we’ve created The Sourdough Culture, the definitive digital academy, and community, for bakers both new and skilled.
Follow along and learn at your own pace. Before long, you will be amazed at how you develop the intuition to read your starter, your dough, and your breads. And when in doubt? Ask us or your fellow Culturists!
You’re rediscovering a lost art. Don’t despair; enjoy every turn. Then see your appreciation for real food level up.
The staff of life
Articles & Recipes
Our Courses
Become a Sourdough Baker!
If you are ready to give sourdough bread baking a try, then you are in the right place! Our content and courses are designed to walk you through the process from beginning to end, so whether its your first experience with bread making, or you’ve got just enough knowledge to be dangerous, we’ve got your back.
Creating your own sourdough starter might seem intimidating at first, but we’ll break it down for you step by step, so it doesn’t have to be. All you need is some time and patience. Here we will start with a basic overview to give some background and an idea of what to expect.
What is a sourdough?
If you’ve ever made homemade bread before, you’ll recall adding commercial yeast to the bread dough. This yeast is what allows your sourdough to leaven. Sourdough is different in that you use a “starter” of flour and water, which then ferments. During this fermentation process, wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria—already present in the flour—work together to make the dough rise. This is also what gives sourdough its signature tangy flavor and chewy texture. The total time of your ferment will depend on the desired taste and texture you are going for.
Does the kind of flour you use matter?
It’s typically recommend that you use whole grain / whole wheat flour or rye flour, but all purpose flour also works just fine. It’s really up to your preference and what you have on hand.
Tools
When it comes to making your own artisan bread, there are a few simple tools you will need, most of which are not unique to sourdough, so you’ll probably already have them on hand.
These typically include a large mixing bowl, a work surface, scraper, parchment paper, dutch oven or cast iron pot, a sharp knife (for scoring the top of the dough), and a wire rack. You can also purchase a banneton or proofing basket, but this is not required.
What is bulk fermentation?
Bulk fermentation is the first rise of your dough and this step helps with flavor and structure development. The name comes from the fact that the dough is fermenting in a large, single mass typically at room temperature, but you can also place it in the fridge for a slower ferment. During bulk fermentation you will stretch and fold the dough (no kneading) periodically to help develop the gluten, strength of the dough, and keep the temperature consistent throughout the entire mass.
After bulk fermentation, let the dough rest and rise again. From there, you will shape the dough, cold proof it, and then bake.
As a final note, have fun, be easy on yourself, and enjoy the journey. Great things take time and when your biting into your first sourdough loaf, you’ll realize immediately that all of your work was worth it.
Check out our blog posts for more info, tips, and easy sourdough bread recipes, or try one of our courses: Master Your Sourdough Starter and Mastering the Art of Sourdough Baking. Happy baking!
