Sourdough bread is a pungent sour flavored bread that is rich in flavor as well as history.

History and Legends

Sourdough bread dates back to biblical times. It is often believed to be a better choice of breads because of the healthful nature of the fermentation process which makes it sour.

Some legends have it that sourdough bread which does not contain baking powder as an ingredient gained in popularity due to a belief that baking powder was an anti-aphrodisiac. Men who did not want to chance there virility on eating baking powder biscuits choose instead sourdough bread.

Sourdough was a main staple on one of the first expeditions to the top of Mount Mc Kinley.

Sourdough by any Other Name

Sourdough has come to be known by many names across America. In California pioneers called it sourdough while in cattle country it was known as chuck wagon bread. Pioneers called sourdough cellar biscuits or cellar bread because it was kept in the cellar while in Philadelphia the pioneers called it yeast dough and could buy a cup of sourdough starter for a penny. In Kentucky sourdough is known by the name of spook yeast and used to bake up spook bread.

Sourdough Storage

Because metal will cause a chemical reaction and ruin your sourdough the starter can never be stored in a metal container. Traditionally sourdough starter was kept in a wooden pot in a warm draft free location in the kitchen. Glass can be used but wood was the preference because it held a more consistent temperature than glass and did not break as easily during travel.

Sourdoughs Many Uses

Sourdough starter can be used in a variety of foods such as bread, hotcakes, cookies, cakes and waffles. Sourdough has even been used in less familiar ways such as in tanning hides, as a plaster to cure an aching back, as a glue for a sealing a letter and as paste to paper a cabin.

About the author:

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. Sign up for her newsletter and learn more about Gourmayeats Weekly Recipe Club at http://www.gourmayeats.com