Sourdough
San Francisco, USA (popularized)Sourdough is leavened by a live culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria rather than commercial yeast, which is why its flavor is so much more complex than ordinary bread. The fermentation process — which can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours — produces lactic and acetic acids that give the bread its characteristic tang while also improving digestibility and shelf life. The thick, crackly crust develops during a high-heat bake, often in a Dutch oven, trapping steam that keeps the crumb open and chewy. For sandwiches, that sturdy structure holds up beautifully against wet ingredients like tomatoes and mayonnaise without disintegrating. San Francisco's foggy, cool climate happens to be ideal for the particular wild yeast strains that produce the most assertive tang, which is why that city became synonymous with the style.
Let sourdough toast slightly before building your sandwich — the crust softens just enough while the crumb stays firm, giving you structure without jaw-breaking toughness.
- Turkey club
- Grilled cheese
- BLT
- Avocado toast sandwich