Artisan Handmade Sourdough
Get to know your sourdough!
Unlike traditional yeast breads, sourdough uses a “starter” made of flour and water that is left to ferment to create a bubbly occurrence. This happens once the wild yeast and lactic acids bacterias join together. It is then turned into a leaven which is a small amount of “starter” mixed with more flour and water. The next day the leaven is then mixed into the dough (more flour, water, and salt) and sits out for a bulk fermentation that can last anywhere between 4-6 hours depending on the temperature. At this time the gluten is developing with the help of a stretch and fold movement done with the bread every 45 minutes. At the end of bulk fermentation, the dough will have strength, a bubbly appearance, elasticity, and have gained volume. The dough is now ready to be divided and preshaped into rounds. After the dough relaxes for 45 minutes it’s then ready for its final shape and placed into a proofing basket covered and put into the refrigerator to finish its final proofing at a slower rate. The next morning the dough is scored and ready to be baked in a preheated Dutch oven.