Sourdough Starter: A Culinary Relic with a Rich History and Enduring Significance
A sourdough starter, also known as a leaven, is a fermented dough made from flour and water, with wild yeast and bacteria cultures. These cultures impart a distinctive sour flavor and chewy texture to bread. One notable example is the 500-year-old sourdough starter maintained by the Boudin Bakery in San Francisco, contributing to the city’s renowned sourdough bread.