Guide | Sourdough

Baking sourdough bread: The art of fermentation

Sourdough bread, with its characteristic sour flavour and rustic texture, is not only a culinary experience, but also an art of fermentation. Here you can find out what you should bear in mind when preparing and baking your sourdough bread. From caring for the starter dough to the delicious finish of the baked bread.

1. the sourdough starter - the living culture begins

The basis for every sourdough adventure is the living sourdough starter. To maintain this, mix equal parts flour and water and leave the mixture in a warm place. After a few hours, the mixture will begin to bubble, indicating the presence of natural yeast bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. This living starter becomes the driving force behind the fermentation of the sourdough.

Note: Sourdough can be further processed after 12 to 24 hours.

Sauerteigbrot backen - Sauerteigansatz

2. care of the sourdough starter - a continuous relationship

Maintaining the sourdough starter is the key to success. Regular refreshing with fresh flour and water is crucial to maintain the activity of the microorganisms. A well-maintained sourdough starter not only develops a strong leavening power, but also complex flavours that give the bread a unique character.

Sauerteigbrot backen - Pflege Sauerteigansatz

3. the benefits of sourdough bread - health and flavour combined

Sourdough bread not only offers a distinctive flavour, but also health benefits. Fermentation during production increases the bioavailability of nutrients and helps to reduce phytic acid, which makes digestion easier. In addition, the acidic environment ensures a longer shelf life for the bread without the use of preservatives.

Sauerteigbrot backen - Vorteile

4. the sourdough process - a time-consuming declaration of love

The sourdough process takes time and patience, but the result is worth it. After the starter has been refreshed, it is mixed with flour and water to form a dough, which should then rest for 12 to 24 hours. This period allows for slow fermentation and development of flavours. The regular stretching and folding of the dough promotes the development of the gluten structure and gives the bread its characteristic texture.

Sauerteigbrot backen - Sauerteigprozess

5. sourdough bread recipes - creative variations

The variety of sourdough bread is endless, and different types of flour can lead to unique flavours. A classic rye sourdough bread can be refined by adding nuts and dried fruit. Wheat flour gives the sourdough a milder flavour, while wholemeal flour creates a more robust texture. Experiment with recipes, herbs, spices and seeds to create your own personalised sourdough work of art.

Sauerteigbrot backen - Rezepte

Our best bread baking moulds

We offer high-quality bread baking moulds made from premium platinum silicone that are guaranteed to make every recipe a success!

A journey through the world of bread baking


Baking sourdough bread is not only a culinary adventure, but also a journey to the origins of bread baking. It is a connection with nature, a co-operation with living microorganisms that give your dough that certain something. From the care of the sourdough starter to the completion of the baked bread - each stage is a step on the way to a unique, flavourful experience. Be inspired by the magic of sourdough and discover the fascinating world of fermentation.

Basic bread ingredients

Anyone who ventures into the world of bread baking is immersed in a universe of flour, yeast, water, salt and other fascinating ingredients...

Bread variety

Each type of bread tells its own story, characterised by the people who bake it, the regions it comes from...

Bread baking techniques

Join us on a journey through baking techniques, from the careful selection of ingredients to the finished bread...

Gluten-free baking

It may seem challenging at first, but with the right approach and the right ingredients, you can...

Bread baking recipes

Hardly anything smells as delicious as crusty bread that has just come out of the oven...

Troubleshooting when baking bread

Even if your bread doesn't come out of the oven the way you imagined, there are ways to save it...

Bread history

From simple flatbreads to sourdough creations - bread has taken a fascinating journey through time...

Silicone bread baking moulds

Baking has never been easier than with Original FLEXI®FORM! All types of bread can be baked in our silicone bread baking moulds...

FLEXI®FORM silicone quality

Since 1999, LURCH has been the pioneer in the world of silicone baking moulds with its FLEXI®FORM brand - to be precise, THE original.