A few weeks ago, I spent some time thinking about things I wanted to accomplish in 2022. I don’t necessarily set “resolutions” each year, but do love having some sort of goal(s) for the upcoming year–usually some sort of hobby to learn or improve on.
This year, I’m challenging myself to try new techniques in knitting/crocheting. In just a few weeks, I’ve already learned so much more than I have in years. I’ll be sharing some more details soon about the projects I have finished so far and the ones I am currently working on.
My other goal for the year was to learn sourdough, finally. I made kombucha for years and love fermented foods (and how my body feels when they’re in my diet), so sourdough was the next step. I have been inspired by Hanna (@hannaoliviaway) & Shelby (@wildflora.wellness) on Instagram. Their loaves are absolutely beautiful, and I wanted to try my hand at baking bread for our family.
It’s only been a couple of weeks, but my sourdough starter is alive and well, and making delicious loaves. I am honestly enjoying the process so much more than I imagined I would: the whisking with my hands, stretching & folding, watching my starter grow, shaping the loaves, and–most of all–eating incredible, gut-healthy bread.
Today, I wanted to share some of the things that have been helpful to me in beginning my sourdough journey. These items are by no means absolutely necessary in the sourdough process. Our ancestors baked bread for their families with little to no “extras”, and you can definitely make beautiful loaves at home without additional kitchen gadgets. These items are, however, helpful to have and have made the process much easier for me as a beginner. I am listing the items in the order I would recommend them, but please keep in mind they are not absolutely necessary. Don’t be tempted to go out and buy all the things.
Sourdough at Home Course by Tess Aurora Weaver
If you only buy one thing from this list, make this the one. I highly recommend this course! Not only does it have incredibly thorough written instructions, but it also includes videos for every step of the sourdough process. Tess included instructions on storage & maintenance of your starter, folding & shaping techniques, ideal equipment, and alternatives if you don’t have additional equipment at home.
Kitchen Scale
You may already have a scale at home, but if not, this is very helpful to have! While I’m learning there is a pretty wide margin for error with sourdough, you do want to be as precise as possible. Using volume to measure rather than weight does not allow for accuracy, since a cup of flour on one day may be slightly less or more on another day depending on how it’s packed. Using a scale eliminates this issue, and is a very helpful thing to have in your kitchen for other recipes, too. This scale doesn’t require batteries and is a great choice.
Banneton
A banneton is the wooden basket many people use to proof their loaves. The spiral of the basket creates a beautiful design on loaves and the size of the banneton keeps your loaves from spreading while proofing. It’s by no means necessary, however. You can use anything from a small mixing bowl to a regular basket lined with a floured tea towel. They are nice to have if you want that original sourdough design, but my first loaf was proofed in a mixing bowl and turned out very well.
This particular banneton comes with a liner, dough scraper, and lame (razor for scoring your loaves). If you’re looking to purchase a banneton, this is a great solution since it comes with so many extras.
Artisan Sourdough Made Simple by Emilie Raffa
This cookbook is perfect for those of you who are looking to create other recipes now that you’ve tried the typical sourdough loaf. It includes several variations and such, but also recipes that use up that sourdough discard you have hanging around. The Country Farmhouse White makes a delicious sandwich bread, and I’m excited to try the discard spelt crackers soon.
Lame
A lame is a double-sided blade that is used for scoring loaves. When you score your loaf, it allows it to expand properly while baking. If you do not score your loaves, they will burst in unexpected places and create an undesired look & shape. Many beginner bakers simply use a sharp steak knife to score their loaves, but the lame does make it much easier. The banneton I shared above does include a lame (this is the one I have & love!), but if you’re looking to purchase a lame by itself, this is a great option.
I do hope this has been a good starting point for you if you’re interested in beginning sourdough! Keep in mind you can often use what you already have for baking tools, but these items do make the process easier.
I’m so glad I started making sourdough this year, and I’m excited to see how I improve this art. If you have any questions about beginning sourdough, feel free to comment. I’m obviously a beginner and still have many questions myself, but I will try to answer what I know!
