Our San Francisco Sourdough Starter is highly adaptable and can work with a variety of flours. However, for the best results, we recommend using unbleached, all-purpose flour. You can also use whole wheat or rye flours, but keep in mind that these may alter the texture and taste of your sourdough bread.

No, you don't need to add commercial yeast to our San Francisco Sourdough Starter. The starter is a self-contained ecosystem of natural yeast and beneficial bacteria, cultured to bring you the authentic tang and texture associated with San Francisco-style sourdough bread. When you feed the starter with flour and water, you're providing the natural yeast with the nutrients it needs to grow and multiply. This process allows the starter to naturally leaven your dough without the need for additional yeast, giving you an authentic sourdough experience.

By relying solely on the starter for fermentation, you allow the unique flavors and characteristics of the sourdough to shine through. Plus, the slow fermentation process adds complexity to the bread's flavor and improves its shelf life.

So rest assured, with our starter, you're all set to make delicious sourdough bread that's rich in flavor and texture!

Why is the San Francisco Sourdough Starter better than regular yeast for bread baking?

Our San Francisco Sourdough Starter contains gluten, as it is typically propagated using wheat-based flours. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you may need to look for a specialized gluten-free sourdough starter.

Absolutely, sharing is one of the joys of sourdough baking! Once your starter is active and healthy, simply place a portion of it in a clean, airtight container. Include feeding instructions when you gift it, so the recipient knows how to maintain their new sourdough starter.

With proper care and regular feeding, your San Francisco Sourdough Starter can last indefinitely. In fact, there are sourdough starters that have been passed down through generations and are over a hundred years old! Just remember to feed it regularly and keep it in a stable environment, and it will continue to provide you with delicious sourdough bread for years to come. If you ever need to take a break from baking, you can also refrigerate your starter for a few weeks, or even freeze it for longer storage.

Our San Francisco Sourdough Starter will give your bread a distinctive tangy, slightly acidic flavor, with subtle hints of earthiness. The unique blend of wild yeasts and bacteria in this starter creates a complex taste profile that is unmatched by regular sourdough starters. The longer you ferment, the more pronounced these flavors will become, allowing you to tailor the sourness to your liking.