Our Quest for Sourdough

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 your sourdough globally

Once your profile is fully completed, you can compare your sourdough with others from different countries and continents. Discover how your starter’s ingredients, fermentation process, and characteristics stand out in a global context.

2. Get selected for the Sourdough Library

A complete profile makes your sourdough a potential candidate to be selected to be part of the world's only Sourdough Library, located at the Sourdough Institute in Belgium. If selected, you’ll be invited to perform a microbial analysis using a LabID kit. This analysis reveals the unique microbial composition of your starter and helps determine whether it contributes to the biodiversity of the our Library’s collection.

3. Discover new recipes and insights

Explore a growing collection of sourdough recipes and techniques from bakers across continents. When your profile is complete, others can react to and rate your recipe—boosting its visibility and helping it become a community favorite.

4. Preserve your recipe for future generations

By uploading your sourdough’s story, ingredients, and photos, you ensure that your baking legacy is documented and preserved. Your contribution becomes part of a living archive that celebrates the global richness of sourdough culture.

How to get started

Joining the global sourdough community is simple. Just visit www.questforsourdough.com and create your free account. Once logged in, you can register your sourdough starter by adding its name, origin, characteristics, and any other details that make it unique.

After submitting your sourdough, you’ll be able to:

• Explore thousands of other sourdoughs from around the world

• Discover stories, techniques, and baking traditions

• Share your own sourdough with the community

• Become part of the world’s largest sourdough database