The Quest for Sourdough: join the global movement to preserve sourdough culture

Sourdough Insights

Sourdough is more than a baking method—it’s a living expression of culture, biodiversity, and craftsmanship. That’s why the Sourdough Institute launched The Quest for Sourdough, 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 around the world. 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 eligible for selection into the world’s first and 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 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

To unlock these benefits, simply complete your profile with as much detail as possible—your sourdough’s name, origin, ingredients, fermentation method, and what makes it special. The more you share, the more you contribute to the global story of sourdough.

Join the Quest

The Quest for Sourdough is more than a platform—it’s a movement to protect and celebrate the world’s sourdough heritage. Your starter could be the next to join the Library and inspire bakers around the world.