The quality, flavor and ultimate success of your fermented breads begins with sourdough starters, or preferments. Although making a starter is simple enough, there is a complex side to sourdough technology. Sourdough (also known as levain) leavens bakery products as a clean label leavening solution for wheat and rye bread, Panettone, Colomba, Pandoro, different brioches, [...]
Have you ever wondered how sourdough flavors can differ so much, even when the same ingredients are used? This is because sourdough starters differ in microbiology, depending on the culture used. And depending on the culture, the final taste and aroma will change. The sourdough library is a place to collect and study these differences. There's a [...]
Sourdough bread is hot and the baking industry is all in for its sweet returns. Sourdough is the whole package: Artisan Perfect for clean label Available in an endless number of variations Why all the buzz? Well, in addition to the above benefits, the natural sourdough process allows for baked goods with increased digestibility, [...]
Sourdough: one of the most popular and delicious of breads! For bakers: an art form. True, it’s one of the simplest formulas—pretty much four and water. However, the baker needs to masterfully control the ingredients and process to end up with a consistent, signature flavored bread. The chemistry of sourdough Inside sourdough, microorganisms feed on the flour to produce [...]
Tucked away in the heel of Southern Italy lies the cozy little town of Altamura. This small village, like many Italian cities, is famous for a particular cuisine. Naples has Pizza, Sicily has Cannoli, but Altamura has the Altamura Bread. This bread is so renowned for its flavorful crust and soft, moist crumb that [...]
Levain Also known as sourdough starter What is Levain? Levain is a type of preferment which matures slowly prior to its addition to bread dough. In the United States, the terms ‘sourdough’ and ‘levain’ are often used interchangeably, which is not the case in Europe. Both terms refer to a similar composition [...]
I don't know if you've noticed, but sourdough bread is a big deal right now. It's flying off the shelves, and it's the focus of the industry. There are a few reasons behind this: Artisan bread is high in demand Sourdough is ideal for clean label The fermentation process allows for a lot of creativity and uniqueness. [...]
Sourdough Library What is the Sourdough Library? The sourdough library is a non-profit global initiative by Puratos. It's designed to gather sourdough starters for their protection and preservation. Available to all bakers worldwide, it's for anyone interested in learning about sourdough. The ultimate purpose of the library is preserving the biodiversity of [...]
Sourdough Starter What is Sourdough Starter? Sourdough starter is the biochemical leavening agent which replaces added yeast in sourdough bread. These starters are responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of artisan, rustic-type sourdough breads. In simple terms, a sourdough starter is a mixture of flour, water and the most precious ingredient [...]
