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 “That’s creepy,” my dad says recoiling, staring at Seymour in the fridge. Named for the voracious plant from Little Shop of Horrors, my dad just met the newest member of the family. With only a cup of flour and some water, the sourdough starter’s ability to stay alive in the fridge, completely enamored my father. Yet, after this moving organism began to produce delicious treats, Seymour fit right in with my baking desires and my family’s excited appetite.

     Before this fall, I had heard endlessly about bubbling bread dough, hidden-starter recipes, and the joys of a fresh loaf. From gut healthy bagels, to lemon poppyseed scones, the internet has taken this phenomenon to another level. Now, if you’re like me, you may be wondering where this freaky sourdough frenzy came from. 

     My name is Scarlett Penhollow, and that is my question exactly. Join me each week as we uncover the history of sourdough, why it has become so popular, and ways to use—or feed—a Seymour sourdough starter of your own!

May 15th: Bread of the Ages

    Although the origin of sourdough started in Egypt, with early influence in Northern European and Ancient Egyptian societies, its story has been largely impacted by its influence in the Gold Rush Era. Since the gold miners of this period were living under harsh conditions, flour and bread provided the necessary nutrients and calories to sustain the workers, while being fairly easy to transport. Despite this, their schedules and work demands made it difficult to survive on traditional yeast or baking practices. What was so helpful about sourdough–despite its previous difficulty to maintain–was that it had the ability to last for years. This made it a more sustainable long term solution. Sourdough made a lasting impression in California by combining stories, starters, and a taste unique to San Francisco, setting an everlasting reputation for bread by the 1980-1990s.

     As sourdough developed, recipes and culture did too. According to simpelsurdej.com, “Sourdough became more than just a means of leavening bread; it became intertwined with the cultures that embraced it. It was cherished for its distinct flavor, long shelf life, and digestive benefits.” This bread-making-bonanza spread to other regions during this time due to the Gold Rush. Specifically in Alaska, men wore their starters in their pockets, around their necks, or slept next to them at night to keep them warm and alive due to cold conditions. According to Mykola Nerev’s Sourdough Stories podcast, she explains that, “Over the years, the term Sourdough became a nickname for experienced prospectors, which was a point of pride too. An ability to bake in such a cold climate was a reminder of the resilience of those early gold seekers who managed to live and bake in the harsh Alaskan climate.” This nickname was also used in California in 1849 for the gold miners carrying and using their sourdough starters.

     Even though most of our world nowadays isn’t snuggling their sourdough to keep it warm after their mining endeavors, there are still benefits to this bread. In 2020, the United States experienced a sourdough resurgence during COVID19. Being stuck at home encouraged people to take up new hobbies, and the influence of sourdough came back swinging. With the rise of nutrition, sourdough allows gluten sensitive food lovers to enjoy bread at a lower gluten content. It also is more digestible to our bodies, providing gut benefits and “more bioavailable” nutrients. To further this, simpelsurdej.com shares, “The presence of lactic acid bacteria in sourdough contributes to a healthy gut microbiome. These bacteria aid in digestion, strengthen the immune system, and may even have mood-enhancing effects. Sourdough also has a lower glycemic index compared to regular bread, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.”

     Sourdough remains popular today, in the form of healthy recipes, online jokes, and ASMR crust scoring videos. The legacy sourdough starters have left on society, both in America and across the world is enduring. When reminiscing the history of sourdough, it is important to recognize the similarities and differences in the ways we use it. Tune in next week to learn more about traditional, failed, and brand new sourdough recipes!