Sourdough Basics from Udemy

Learn all about sourdough. What is it, why would you use it, what are the health benefits, and how do you get started? We give you helpful tips on starting a starter, keeping it alive, and simple recipes to get started baking.

Sourdough has stormed social media and the world in the last few years. More people are returning to this traditional form of baking and bread making because of its flavor, unique characteristics, and health and digestibility benefits. Whether you want to test your ability to eat sourdough if other forms of bread may bother you, or you just want to bake more flavorful items at home, you will be able to start confidently, or boost your skills to add some new recipes.

Note- this course does not cover bread baking. There are great courses on that. This is for getting started using sourdough and other tasty treats you can make with it. We will teach you a variety of "discard recipes", meaning recipes you can make simply with your sourdough, or with the "discard" or extra starter when you're making bread. These are favorite recipes that you will find yourself making regularly.

We hope you enjoy this introduction and can't wait to hear what you make.

What's inside

Learning objective

Basic sourdough maintenance and recipes

Syllabus

Welcome to the course!

Cultural Revivalists Introduction

Course Introduction

Understand what sourdough is, the health benefits of sourdough, and why you would use it.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Instructs about sourdough production, which is a traditional method of baking with a number of health benefits

May be useful for learners who have digestive concerns with bread or those seeking healthier alternatives

Provides basic sourdough maintenance methods and recipes

May require additional knowledge of bread baking before application

Focuses primarily on sourdough, excluding broader bread baking techniques

Reviews summary

Sourdough basics: starter & discard essentials

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for beginners eager to dive into the world of sourdough. Students particularly praise the clear, step-by-step guidance on creating and maintaining a sourdough starter, finding it effectively demystifies the process. Many highlight the practical and popular discard recipes, such as pancakes and tortillas, as a significant bonus. While the course provides a solid foundational understanding, a few learners noted it might be too basic for those with prior sourdough experience or who seek more advanced troubleshooting tips.

Course focuses on starter and discard, not on baking bread.

"This course does not cover bread baking. There are great courses on that."

"Don't expect to learn how to bake a loaf of bread here, as the course clearly states."

"It focused heavily on just starting a starter and discard recipes, which is fine, but..."

Offers popular and easy-to-make recipes using sourdough discard.

"I loved the discard recipes too, especially the pancakes – they were a huge hit!"

"The tortillas recipe is now a staple in my home. I really enjoyed learning about the discard recipes."

"The recipes are good for using discard though. The pancakes recipe alone was worth the course price!"

Provides detailed steps for creating and maintaining a starter.

"The step-by-step guidance on creating and feeding a starter was invaluable."

"My starter is now thriving! I appreciated the clear explanations of what sourdough is."

"The instructions for feeding and maintaining were straightforward."

Perfect for those new to sourdough.

"This course is absolutely fantastic for beginners! I always wanted to try sourdough but felt intimidated."

"If you're new to sourdough, this is the course for you. It's concise, practical, and the instructor is very encouraging."

"It's okay for absolute beginners, but I was hoping for a bit more. Still, my starter is alive."

May be too basic for experienced bakers or advanced topics.

"I was hoping for a bit more... could have gone a bit deeper into advanced maintenance."

"Found some of the explanations a bit too brief, especially when it came to understanding the nuances of starter activity."

"Helpful for getting started, but if you've already tinkered with sourdough, it might be too basic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sourdough Basics with these activities:

Join a sourdough enthusiasts' online forum

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Engaging in discussions with sourdough enthusiasts can broaden your perspectives and access to collective knowledge.

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Identify active online forums dedicated to sourdough
Create a profile and join the community
Participate in discussions and ask questions

Follow online tutorials on sourdough discard recipes

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Guided tutorials provide step-by-step instructions to help you master sourdough discard recipes, expanding your culinary repertoire.

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Search for reputable online sources for sourdough discard recipes
Choose a recipe that aligns with your preferences
Follow the instructions carefully, making notes of any variations or adaptations you make

Attend a live sourdough baking demonstration

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Observing experts demonstrate sourdough techniques can provide valuable insights and enhance your hands-on skills.

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Research upcoming sourdough baking demonstrations in your area
Register for a demonstration that aligns with your interests
Attend the demonstration and take notes on the techniques used
Ask questions and engage with the demonstrators

Three other activities

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Create a sourdough-inspired blog article

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By authoring a blog article, you'll solidify your understanding of the principles and applications of sourdough.

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Brainstorm topic ideas related to sourdough
Research and gather information on your chosen topic
Write an outline for your article, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
Craft compelling and informative content, citing your sources where appropriate

Develop sourdough recipes and share them online

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Experimenting with new sourdough recipes will enhance your practical skills and deepen your knowledge of sourdough's versatility.

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Experiment with different flavor combinations and techniques
Document your recipes, including ingredients, instructions, and your observations
Share your recipes on a cooking blog or online forum

Enter a local sourdough baking competition

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Participation in sourdough baking competitions can showcase your skills, push your boundaries, and provide valuable feedback.

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Research and identify sourdough baking competitions in your area
Review the competition guidelines and prepare accordingly
Create and practice your sourdough recipe
Enter the competition and present your sourdough creation

Career center

Learners who complete Sourdough Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Sourdough Basics

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Sourdough basics: starter & discard essentials

Activities

Career center

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