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
