Why is Sourdough Starter Important?

Sourdough bread baking can seem overwhelming. Starting with a sourdough starter can feel a bit like stepping into a new world of baking, and that’s perfectly okay! Baking your own bread at home is a wonderful choice, especially if you’re just beginning your baking journey. Here are some reasons to why sourdough starter is important to your sourdough loaf:

1. Sourdough starter helps create a richer, more complex flavor in your bread. This will give your bread a unique flavor that you can’t get from not using sourdough starter.

2. The natural fermentation process of sourdough can make bread easier to digest and can improve its nutritional profile. Sourdough is a more natural way of making bread that aligns with a more organic approach to baking.

3. The care and maintenance of a sourdough starter is a rewarding process. It requires some patience and care, but seeing it come to life by growing and bubbling is incredibly satisfying. It’s a way to truly connect with the food you’re making, you literally will know how it started.

4. Sourdough starter contains wild yeast which allows your bread to grow without the use of commercial yeast. The wild yeast and use of steam while baking help the increase in rise of your loaf.

5. As you get to know your starter, you will begin to understand how the sourdough starter works best for you. You can experiment with different flours and hydration levels, making each sourdough bread loaf uniquely yours.

When you are making sourdough bread in your home kitchen, you’re not just baking; you’re creating something special with your own hands that will nurture and feed yourself, friends and family! That is why I love to bake, we can take a few simple ingredients and make something delicious. It doesn't have to be life-consuming, it can be life giving. Learn how to incorporate sourdough starter in bread in an upcoming workshop or join our Sourdough Masterclass course to become a better home baker.