What Actually Is Sourdough, Anyway?

annaguttery
2 days ago
3 min read

Sourdough has been a passion of mine long before I started The Cozy Bee Bakery back in 2023. What started as a fun hobby in high school has turned into the foundation of almost everything I bake and sell in Baton Rouge today! Sourdough has grown in popularity in recent years by those looking for a healthier bread option for their families, and the question I hear the most is this: what actually is sourdough, and what makes it better than other kinds of bread? There's a lot of confusion surrounding sourdough, so let's unpack it! Let's break down what sourdough is, the health benefits of it, and how it differs from regular yeast bread.

What Is Sourdough?

Sourdough is bread made without commercial yeast. Instead of using packaged yeast to make dough rise quickly, sourdough relies on a natural culture—called a starter—made from flour and water. Over time, wild yeast and bacteria from the surrounding environment develop in that mixture and begin fermenting it.

When added to dough, the starter produces gas (CO2 to be exact,) that causes the bread to rise, along with organic acids which give sourdough its signature flavor. Because every starter develops slightly differently depending on climate, feeding schedule, and age, each baker ends up with something unique. The individuality is one of the things that intrigued me about bread baking. Sourdough doesn’t come from a factory formula—it reflects the baker and the kitchen it was made in.

It also moves at a slower pace than typical yeast bread. Much slower. Fermentation can take many hours or even days, which allows both flavor and structure to develop gradually. That slower process is central to what makes sourdough distinct, and what gives it the amazing health benefits!

Why Is It Good For You?

One of the most fascinating things I learned about sourdough early on in my baking journey was the health benefits compared to conventional/store-bought bread. The long fermentation process allows the natural bacteria in the starter to break down phytic acid in the grain (flour), which improves mineral absorption. It also partially breaks down gluten proteins and starches, which is why most people find sourdough easier to digest. In other words, in the long fermentation process the bacteria in the starter breaks down what is hard for your body to process so your body isn't left to do it all on its own!

Sourdough sandwich loaves in rows, some are packaged.

What's the Difference If I Get Store-Bought Bread?

With all of these incredible benefits to sourdough comes the sad news about most of the bread you see in stores today. Store-bought bread is most often made using commercial yeast, which accelerates the fermentation process. This means that you cut out the time for all of that breaking down of the gluten, all of the mineral absorption, leaving it all for your body to process on its own. (No wonder bread gets a bad wrap when that's what we're offered!) Additionally, mass production methods lead to the use of additives and preservatives to enhance shelf life and maintain texture, compromising the bread's quality and taste. These preservatives contribute to digestive issues and reduce the bread's overall nutritional value, making it far less beneficial compared to the wholesome, artisanal qualities of sourdough. Ultimately, while store-bought bread is convenient, it often falls short in both health benefits and flavor compared to its traditional, naturally leavened counterpart.

Be careful when looking for sourdough! Most of the loaves titled "all natural" or "sourdough flavored" at grocery stores are still hiding those sneaky ingredients, such as commercial grade yeast, or ingredients added in the name of "improving texture" such as mono-and-diglycerides or ammonium sulfate. (If you're curious on how to find sourdough near you, check out my other post here.) Bread should be simple, not something we dread the sight of in the name of our bodies feeling like a potato after just one bite. I encourage you to make the switch if you haven't already. Your body will thank you!