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Sourdough Insights Sourdough is more than an ancient baking method, it’s a living example of culture, biodiversity, and craftsmanship. That’s why the  Sourdough Institute  launched  The Quest for Sourdough in 2016 , a global platform dedicated to preserving the diversity of sourdough starters and the stories behind them. Whether you’re a professional baker or a passionate home baker, your sourdough has a place in this global archive. Why register your sourdough? 1. Compare yo

Sourdough Story Some sourdoughs in the Puratos Sourdough Library stand out for their rich history and distinctive flavor. One such entry is  Sourdough #72: Birote , a baguette-style bread from Mexico that’s unlike any other. The Sourdough Library is home to sourdoughs from around the world, and Birote is a prime example of how local culture and history shape breadmaking traditions. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, Birote—also known as  birrote  or  bolillo —is n

Sourdough Story Have you ever tried a steamed bun? If so, you might be surprised to learn that this soft, fluffy delicacy is actually a sourdough product. Known by names like  bapao ,  mantou , and  baozi , steamed buns are a staple in many Asian cuisines. Whether you've enjoyed them during dim sum or as part of an Indonesian rice table, these buns have a rich history that traces back to northern China. And unlike what many might assume, they’re not made with commercial yeast

Sourdough Story Some sourdoughs in our library carry more than just flavor—they carry history, culture, and deep spiritual meaning. One such example is  Sourdough #39 , known as  Kosmas , a remarkable starter from the Greek town of  Amfilochia . The story of this sourdough is rooted in a centuries-old religious tradition. In the Eastern Orthodox Church,  September 14th  marks the beginning of the  Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross , one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the li

Sourdough Insights We’re thrilled to welcome Los Angeles-based baker  Guy Frenkel  as a guest contributor to the Quest for Sourdough blog. Guy has been part of our journey from the very beginning, joining us at the Sourdough Institute in Saint Vith with his starter “Elizabeth”—a culture that’s as creative and expressive as the breads he bakes with it. In his first post, Guy explores a question many sourdough bakers ask themselves: Is my starter any good? And more importantly,

Sourdough Story Every sourdough in the Sourdough Library has a story—and every story begins with a journey. When a sourdough is selected...

Sourdough Story When we think of sourdough, we usually picture flour and water—maybe rye, wheat, or spelt. But in Japan, sourdough has...

Sourdough Recipes Donuts are one of life’s most irresistible indulgences. Soft, golden, and just the right amount of sweet, they’re a...

Sourdough Insights If you bake with sourdough regularly, you’ve probably faced the same dilemma: what to do with all that leftover starter? Throwing it away feels wasteful—and it is. While there are plenty of great recipes that use discard (think pancakes, muffins, waffles, even dog treats), there’s another creative and long-lasting solution: turning it into sourdough powder. This method not only reduces waste but also gives you a flavorful, shelf-stable ingredient that can e

Sourdough Insights When Martina left us with her sourdough she started a journey to visit ten sourdough lovers, people for whom sourdough is important. People who got passionate about it, like you are... In a new book called "Sourdough, Four days to happiness" the journey of this sourdough is written in a very entertaining way by Martina. To find out how the sourdough received its name you have to read the book , or watch the movie of my latest Quest for Sourdough.

By Arianna Sikorski On a journey through the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush trail, I discovered more than history—I discovered the...

By Michael Ranaudo From the golden hills of Campania to the ovens of Belgium, this focaccia recipe is a tribute to tradition, family, and...

By Alex Rawlings What does sourdough bread have to do with autism? More than you might expect. This is a story about discovery—of microbes, of mental health, and of how something as simple as bread can support a more balanced life for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Sourdough Bread A New Life, A New Learning Curve When I moved to Belgium five years ago, I had no idea that my life would soon revolve around sourdough, writing, and autism. I was starting over—learnin

Sourdough Insights Need to travel with your sourdough or store it for a while without refrigeration? This video shows you how to safely wrap a  stiff starter  for transport or long-term storage. You’ll learn the correct technique using a plastic bag, a cloth, and string or rope to keep the starter protected and stable. We explain why this method works, how to rehydrate the starter later, and when it’s best to use this approach. Ideal for bakers on the move or those wanting to

Sourdough Insights Once your starter is active, proper maintenance is key to keeping it strong and reliable. In this video, we cover the...

Sourdough Insights Starting your own sourdough from scratch is one of the most rewarding steps in your baking journey. This video guides you through the  day-by-day process  of creating a starter using just flour and water. You’ll learn how to feed it, what to expect at each stage, and how to recognize signs of healthy fermentation. We also explain how temperature, flour type, and feeding frequency affect your starter’s development. By the end, you’ll have a living sourdough

Sourdough Insights Yes, sourdough can—and sometimes should—take a bath. But why? In this video, we explain how giving your sourdough a...

Sourdough Insights Understanding the acidity of your sourdough is key to mastering its flavor, fermentation speed, and overall health. In this video, you’ll learn the difference between  pH  (which measures the strength of the acids) and  TTA – Total Titratable Acidity  (which measures the total amount of acid present). We’ll show you how to use a pH meter and walk you through the lab-style process of titration to calculate TTA. Whether you're a curious home baker or a profes

Sourdough Science Sourdough has been around for over 5,000 years—but we’re still uncovering its secrets. This experiment set out to answer one fascinating question: If you feed different sourdoughs with the same flour, will they all start to behave—and taste—the same? The Experiment Setup We invited  15 bakers —seven professionals and eight passionate hobbyists—from around the world to take part in a unique sourdough experiment. Each baker received the  same bag of flour , di

Sourdough Science Your sourdough starter is alive—home to  billions of microorganisms  working together in a delicate balance. Some produce  lactic acid , others  acetic acid , and together they shape the flavor, texture, and behavior of your dough. But why does your sourdough change over time?Why does it sometimes smell fruity, other times sharp or vinegary? This video dives into the  microbial magic  behind sourdough fermentation. Learn how temperature, flour, feeding sched