SOURDOUGH 101 : PART 1 (THE FLOUR)

What is sourdough? How does one define it? What makes it so special and different from other breads?

Well, for starters, sourdough is a dense loaf of thick bread made from a natural rising agent which is created majorly only using flour and water. So before we start discussing anything else about this bread lets talk about the main ingredient used to make it. The sourdough starter. 

The Flour

Now what you have to do at home to create your own sourdough starter is firstly buy a really good quality flour. The better the flour the better the quality of your starter. The type of flour you use is completely based on your preference, some people like to mix together different types of flour to create a different flavour. 

Remember that the type of flour that you will use will eventually determine the main flavour profile of you sourdough bread. Before you start making your starter, research a little on the different kinds of flours available in your local markets, what would be easy for you to get your hands, because you are going to need to feed your starter everyday with a mixture of flour and water so remember to always use a flour that can be readily available to you so that the feeding process isn't difficult for you.

Yes a more expensive flour will probably give you a better starter but remember if you start with a really good quality of flour but then use a lesser version later your starter will react differently, as you need to remember that the starter itself is a life form and reacts to the way it is treated just like any living being. 

So for today just concentrate on getting your flour right. Find out what will suit you, what blend you want to use, where will you purchase your flour from, because this is one out of the two most important ingredients used to make your final creation, the sourdough bread. Next time we will talk about the second most important ingredient needed for your Sourdough Starter.