Baking with Natural Yeast: Sourdough and Wild Yeast for Beginners

Discover the rewarding craft of traditional baking using nothing but flour, water, and wild fermentation. Baking with natural yeast allows you to create deeply flavorful, easily digestible bread right in your own kitchen without commercial additives. This text-based course guides you through the entire journey of wild yeast baking, from cultivating your very first starter to mastering the science of fermentation. You will develop a deep understanding of how wild yeast behaves, giving you the confidence to bake artisanal loaves from scratch. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental science of wild fermentation, key terminology, and the role of lactic acid bacteria. - Cultivate and maintain a healthy, active natural yeast starter from scratch using simple flour and water. - Apply baker's percentages and hydration calculations to customize your bread recipes. - Master essential dough-handling techniques, including mixing, autolyse, and stretch-and-fold methods. - Manage fermentation temperatures and timing to control flavor profiles and dough rise. - Bake artisanal loaves with a crisp crust and open crumb using standard home kitchen equipment. The course begins with foundational concepts, flour science, and starter creation before moving into step-by-step dough preparation, proofing, and baking techniques. Through detailed written explanations and clear instructions, you will learn to read your dough's cues and adjust your process for consistent success. Designed entirely for beginners, this course requires no prior baking experience or specialized equipment. Start your natural fermentation journey today and experience the joy of baking authentic wild yeast bread.