Flourish with Food: Sourdough Bread

Remember the hands-on breadmaking craze—especially the sourdough trend—during the COVID-19 lockdown? That interest hasn’t gone away. Sourdough continues to rise in popularity thanks to a renewed appreciation for simple, traditional cooking and the influence of the global slow food movement (slowfood.com).

Most modern breads are made using fast-acting commercial yeast. Sourdough, however, relies on a natural culture of wild yeast and healthy lactic acid bacteria. Under the right conditions, this mixture ferments, producing carbon dioxide that helps the dough rise.

When baking sourdough at home, bakers save a portion of the fermented dough—called a starter—for future loaves. To stay active, the starter must be “fed” regularly with flour and water.

If you’re inspired to consider making your own sourdough bread or improving your technique, King Arthur Baking offers a wealth of resources, including online classes, baking supplies, and even a ready-to-use starter culture (kingarthurbaking.com).

Why Is Sourdough So Popular?

For many, sourdough represents a return to a slower, more traditional style of cooking. Others simply love its distinct tangy flavor, slightly chewy texture or its health advantages over conventional bread.

The longer fermentation process helps break down some of the gluten, which may make it easier to digest for certain people. It also tends to have a lower glycemic index, meaning it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels.

Fermentation creates natural acids that can make some nutrients more available to the body. In addition, the process produces prebiotic fibers that support beneficial gut bacteria.

Prefer to Buy Instead of Bake?

Sourdough bread is available in both white and multigrain varieties. While white sourdough doesn’t provide as much fiber as whole or multi-grain options, it still offers nutritional benefits compared to standard white bread.

A Boulder company, Izzio, produces a line of sourdough breads made with only three main ingredients and minimal processing. www.izziobakery.com

According to a registered dietitian’s review of the healthiest sourdough breads, Izzio’s Lucky 7 Multigrain Sourdough ranks #1. https://www.eatthis.com/best-healthy-sourdough-bread