The Magic of Sourdough — Flour, Water, and a Whole Lot of Character

Sourdough isn’t just bread—it’s a process, a practice, and a little bit of everyday alchemy. With just three ingredients—flour, water, and salt—you can create something deeply flavorful, endlessly satisfying, and surprisingly alive.

There’s a reason sourdough has stood the test of time. It’s rustic, resilient, and full of personality. No two loaves are ever quite the same, and that’s part of the charm.

What Sets Sourdough Apart?

Sourdough Uses a Starter as Natural Leavener

Unlike bread made with commercial yeast, sourdough is leavened naturally using a starter—a mixture of flour and water that captures wild yeasts and bacteria from the environment. That starter is what gives sourdough its signature tang, open crumb, and beautifully blistered crust. But beyond the taste, it’s the method that draws people in.

Sourdough slows you down.

It asks for your attention, your patience, and just a little bit of trust. And in return, it delivers a loaf that feels handmade in every sense of the word. However, the true hands on time of sourdough is really very minimal.  While, it does require a lot of ‘time’, the amount of time spent actually fussing with the dough equates to less than 30 mins all and all. And, I promise once you try it and get your first successful loaf, you will be hooked! 

Meet the Starter: Your Bread’s Backbone

Think of the starter as your sourdough sidekick. You feed it, you nurture it, and in turn, it becomes the heart of every bake. It bubbles, it grows, and it’s ready to rise to the occasion—literally. My starters name is ‘Bready Mercury’. If you haven’t already named your sourdough starter, this is your sign to do so right now. Have fun with it.  You will end up being BFF’s for lift. 

And that so-called “discard” from feedings? Don’t toss it! It’s perfect for cookies (see my Chocolate Chip Blog Post), waffles, crackers, brownies, batter… the possibilities are endless. There’s a whole world of baking hidden in that jar.

Why I Bake Sourdough

Because it reminds me that the best things often take time. Because shaping a loaf by hand feels grounding. Because watching dough rise on the counter is oddly magical. Because scoring a loaf of sourdough allows you to be the artist you’ve never dreamed of and it is so much fun!  And because when that first slice of crust crackling, perferctly fermented bread dipped in some amazing olive oil and balsamic or slathered with butter—it’s life changing. 

Sourdough is practical, beautiful, and endlessly rewarding. Whether you’re baking your first boule or your fiftieth, every loaf has a story. And it all starts with a little flour, a splash of water, and a whole lot of heart.

Checkout My Sourdough Videos on Instagram

Want to dive into sourdough but don’t know where to start? Check out my Instagram Reels for step by step process and lots of different recipes—no fancy equipment required. Let’s bake some bread.