Is Storebought Sourdough Bread TRUE Sourdough? |

Is storebought sourdough bread TRUE sourdough? Go here for transcript and links: TradCookSchool....
You’ve heard sourdough is the best bread to eat… and those loaves in the grocery store sure look awfully tempting…
…but are they TRUE sourdough? Real SOURDOUGH?
Lori L. is wondering the same thing:
"Is the sourdough bread bought in the store made with a live culture or a flavoring?"
The short answer is no, most “sourdough” breads in the grocery store are not real sourdough.
Although there are exceptions, most “sourdough” breads in the grocery store are not true sourdough.
Which means that all those health benefits of sourdough are simply not there.
*What’s The Point Of True Sourdough, Anyway?
Not only is sourdough old-fashioned (and we’re suckers for old-fashioned stuff, aren’t we?)… it bread more nutritious and digestible. This can be great news for those who are sensitive to gluten, wheat, or grains.
How can this be? It’s all because of the sourdough starter - a culture of beneficial bacteria and yeast suspended in a flour/water batter. When combined with flour, the starter’s friendly creatures (bacteria and yeasts) consume the starches and sugars in the grains.
While they’re eating, they’re breaking down (pre-digesting) gluten and leaving behind beneficial acids (that’s the sour flavor). Also, the yeasts in particular give off a lot of gas while eating, and it’s those air bubbles that lift the dough and cause it to rise.
So… a lot more is going on than just a sour taste.
Some in our family have gluten sensitivity yet are able to eat sourdough bread without issue. (This is our experience and others may or may not have a similar experience.)
*Why Isn’t Store-Bought Sourdough TRUE Sourdough?
Many store-bought “sourdough” breads use just a small amount of sourdough starter and throw that and other flavors in there to give the bread a sourdough taste - while the action of rising the bread is done with commercial yeast.
Because of this, the store-bought breads have a “sour” flavor yet none of the nutritional benefits.
Other store-bought sourdough breads might be leavened through sourdough, yet not long enough or only some of the flour was combined with the starter - which means the bread is not as nutritious as it could (and should) be.
*How To Find True Sourdough Bread
If you don’t make it yourself, you’ll have to look hard to find true sourdough bread.
Usually, it comes from an artisan bakery or baker at the farmer’s market who knows, appreciates, and believes in the traditional cooking method - and wants to share not only the amazing flavors but the health benefits with the world.
Just get your baker talking to find out the answers to these questions. (I put the right answer in parentheses with each question.)
(yes) are they using only sourdough starter to leaven and flavor the bread?
(8 to 12 hours or more) how long is the dough fermented with the starter?
(no) is any of the flour not soured by the sourdough starter for the duration of fermenting?
(no) do they add any additional commercial yeast?
(yes is preferable) are they using some or all whole grains?
(yes is a bonus) are they using some or all sprouted grains? (this improves digestion even more)
*How To Make Your Own Sourdough Bread
Because a loaf of true sourdough bread might cost $4 to $6 or more, you might find that you’re reserving purchasing it for special occasions and want to make your own instead.
Here are recipes:
How To Make A Sourdough Starter
tradcookschool....
No-Knead Sourdough Einkorn Bread (includes sourdough starter instructions)
tradcookschool....
Sourdough English Muffins
traditionalcook...
Not-So-Dense (Or Sour) Sourdough Bread
traditionalcook...
Sourdough Sandwich Bread
traditionalcook...
26 Sourdough Bread Recipes
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Is Sourdough Bread Gluten-Free?
traditionalcook...
*How To Make Sourdough Bread Even BETTER
Ancient grains - like spelt and einkorn - have less and gentler gluten as well as less and gentler starch.
Combine those benefits with using sourdough to prepare them - and you have even better bread.
If you’re interested in ancient grains and sourdough, be sure to try my free recipe for No-Knead Artisan Sourdough Einkorn Bread. This recipe comes with instructions for starting your own sourdough starter, so you’ll get everything you need! tradcookschool....
Transcript, links, and notes:
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