You’ve heard sourdough is the best bread to eat… and those loaves in the grocery store sure look awfully tempting…
…but are they TRUE sourdough? Real SOURDOUGH?
Lori L. is wondering the same thing (and she’s understandably skeptical):
Is the sourdough bread bought in the store made with a live culture or a flavoring?
Well, Lori… the short answer is no, most “sourdough”breads in the grocery store are not realsourdough. They’re fakers. 🙂
In today’s #AskWardee, I’m going to tell you more about what’s wrong with the grocery store sourdough breads and how to find real sourdough.
I broadcast #AskWardeeliveeach Wednesday at 10am Pacific (1pm Eastern) on Periscope and Facebook Live. Both the podcast and video replay of this week’s show are below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to #AskWardee on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app.
The Question:
Lori L.asks:
Is the sourdough bread bought in the store made with a live culture or a flavoring?
My Answer: It’s Probably Not TRUE Sourdough…
Although there are exceptions, most “sourdough” breads in the grocery store are not true sourdough.
Which means that all those health benefits of sourdough are simply not there.
What’s The Point Of True Sourdough, Anyway?
Sourdough bread is really cool. Not only is it old-fashioned (and we’re suckers for old-fashioned stuff, aren’t we?)… sourdough makes bread more nutritious and digestible, which can be great news for those who are sensitive to gluten, wheat, or grains in general.
How can this be? It’s all because of the sourdough starter — a culture of beneficial bacteria and yeast suspended in a flour/water batter. When combined with flour, the starter’sfriendly creatures (bacteria and yeasts)consume the starches and sugars in the grains.
While they’re eating, they’re breaking down (pre-digesting) gluten and leaving behind beneficial acids (that’s the sour flavor). Also, the yeasts in particular give off a lot of gas while eating, and it’s those air bubbles that lift the dough and cause it to rise.
So… a lot more is going on than just a sour taste. 🙂
True sourdough is a wonderful food! And worth getting right.
Some in our family have gluten sensitivity yetare able to eat sourdough bread without issue. (This is our experience and others may or may not have a similar experience.)
Why Isn’t Store-Bought Sourdough TRUE Sourdough?
Many store-bought “sourdough” breads use just a small amount of sourdough starter and throw that and other flavorsin there to give the bread a sourdoughtaste — while the action of rising the bread is done withcommercial yeast.
Because of this, the store-bought breads have a “sour” flavor yet none of the nutritional benefits.
Other store-bought sourdough breads might be leavened through sourdough, yet not long enough or only some of the flour was combined with the starter — which means the bread is not as nutritious as it could (and should) be.
How To Find True Sourdough Bread
If you don’t make it yourself, you’ll have to look hard to find true sourdough bread.
Usually, it comes from anartisan bakery or baker at the farmer’s market who knows, appreciates, and believes in the traditional cooking method — and wants to share not only the amazing flavors but the health benefits with the world.
Just get your baker talking to find out the answers to these questions. (I put therightanswer in parentheses with each question.)
- (yes) are they using only sourdough starter to leaven and flavor the bread?
- (8 to 12 hours or more) how long is the dough fermented with the starter (8 to 12 hours or more is preferable)?
- (no) is any of the flour not soured by the sourdough starter for the duration of fermenting?
- (no) do they add any additional commercial yeast?
- (yes is preferable) are they using some or all whole grains?
- (yes is a bonus) are they using some or all sprouted grains? (this improves digestion even more)
How To Make Your Own Sourdough Bread
Because a loaf of true sourdough bread might cost $4 to $6 or more… you might find that you’re reserving purchasing it for special occasions and want to make your own instead. You’ll save a bundle!
Here are recipes for you:
- How To Make A Sourdough Starter
- No-Knead Sourdough Einkorn Bread (includes sourdough starter instructions)
- Sourdough English Muffins
- Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread (with FREE Video)
- Not-So-Dense (Or Sour) Sourdough Bread
- Sourdough Sandwich Bread
- 26 Sourdough Bread Recipes
How To Make Sourdough Bread Even BETTER
For some years now, my family has been baking and eating REAL sourdough bread made with ancient grains.
Ancient grains — like spelt and einkorn — have less and gentler gluten as well as less and gentler starch.
Combine those benefits with using sourdough to prepare them — and you have even better bread.
If you’re interested in ancient grains and sourdough, be sure to try my free recipe for No-Knead Artisan Sourdough Einkorn Bread. This recipe comes with instructions for starting your own sourdough starter, so you’ll get everything you need!
Helpful Links
- No-Knead Sourdough Einkorn Bread (includes sourdough starter instructions)
- Can I Feed My Sourdough Starter Different Flours? #AskWardee 021
- Feeding Your Sourdough Starter… More Than Just Flour! #AskWardee 150
- How To Freeze Your Sourdough Starter {Best Way} #AskWardee 059
- Where to buy einkorn
- Is Sourdough Gluten-Free?
- Why Won’t My Sourdough Bread Rise? How To Know When Your Starter Is Strong Enough For Bread-Baking
What Is The #AskWardee Show?
The #AskWardee Show is the live weekly show devoted to answering your niggling questions about Traditional Cooking: whether it’s your sourdough starter, your sauerkraut, preserving foods, broth, superfoods or anything else to do with Traditional Cooking or your GNOWFGLINS lifestyle.
I share tips and resources, plus answer your questions about Traditional Cooking!
The Details
When: Wednesdays at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern
Where: @TradCookSchool on Periscopeor Traditional Cooking School on Facebook
What If You Can’t Make It?
Don’t worry. You can catch the replays or listen to the podcast!
- Come back here to AskWardee.TV; allreplays will be up within hours of airing live; the print notes are always posted at the same time I go live.
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Want To Get YOUR Question Answered?
Here’s how to submit your question. If we answer it on #AskWardee, you’ll get a gift!
Or, you can…
- Tweet your question to @TradCookSchool on Twitter; use hashtag #AskWardee
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Have you ever been able to find realsourdough bread at the store, farmers’ market, or bakery? Do you make or buy sourdough bread?
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