Sourdough, what makes it?

Sourdough bread, many people like it and others not so much. As far as bread goes, it has quite a unique taste. Of course, as its’ name states: sourdough bread is fairly sour as far as bread goes. Have you ever wondered how the strange bread came to be though?

Origin

When it comes to bread, origin is a hard thing to really talk about accurately. Sourdough is no exception to this rule, evidence of sourdough has been found in Switzerland dating back to 3,700BCE. Of course, this wouldn’t have been the first ever time the stuff was created. Some say that it was used even 1,000 years before that. Sourdough is one of the earliest forms of bread we know of, later being replaced by wheat breads.

Why is it sour?

Sourdough is… well sour because of the special requirements to make it. Unlike wheat breads which now use yeast, sourdough needs a “starter”. They work much like yeast, just using a different system that is cultivated over a longer period. That cultivation time is what gives sourdough its’ strange yet appealing flavor. This bread is one that has been around for longer than you, me or even just about any civilization. An amazing testament to people and their fantastic brains. Of course not fast or efficient as good as newer, engineered breads. Regardless this sour loaf still holds its' own and is still an option we go for today. Whether you like it, hate it or simply don't mind it, this bread shows that even some of the simplest things just cannot be replaced. Next time you go to your local bakery, maybe you'll take some time to appreciate the sour taste of this age-old recipe of rye handed down generation after generation. Even if it's not to your taste, maybe you've gained a little respect for something you may not have known all that much about.