Sourdough is timeless, and right now, it’s having a moment as one of the world’s oldest and most beloved breads. At La Brea Bakery, sourdough isn’t just a loaf, it’s a tradition. For more than three decades, we’ve been baking artisan sourdough using a process rooted in patience, quality, and care.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the unique taste and benefits of sourdough, it’s the perfect time to honor the bread that started it all.
Why Sourdough Deserves the Spotlight
Sourdough is more than bread, it’s history baked into every slice. Unlike breads made with commercial yeast, sourdough uses a natural starter (a mix of flour and water that captures wild yeast from the environment). This starter creates the iconic tangy flavor and airy texture that sourdough lovers crave.
Here’s what makes sourdough so special:
Simple Ingredients: Just flour, water, salt, and starter.
Natural Fermentation: Our loaves undergo a 24-hour fermentation process, allowing flavors to fully develop.
Rich Tradition: La Brea Bakery has nurtured the same sourdough starter since 1989.
Unforgettable Flavor: A perfect balance of tang, chew, and golden crust.
La Brea Bakery’s Sourdough Story
In 1989, La Brea Bakery opened its doors in Los Angeles with a commitment to baking bread the right way, with time, attention, and the best ingredients. Our sourdough starter, created that very year, has been carefully maintained ever since. It’s the heart of our bread and the reason every loaf of La Brea Bakery sourdough tastes like home.
Each loaf goes through a 24-hour fermentation process that allows for better texture, flavor, and digestibility. It’s not the fastest way to make bread, but it’s the best, and that’s why we’ve stayed true to this method for more than 35 years.
Looking for ways to enjoy La Brea Bakery sourdough beyond the everyday loaf? Here are a few delicious ideas:
Make It a Meal: Use our sourdough for sandwiches, burgers, or as a side with soups and salads.
Get Creative: Try sourdough crostini, breakfast toasts, or even sourdough croutons.
Host a Gathering: Share a fresh loaf with friends and family - because sourdough is best enjoyed together.
Explore Recipes: Visit our recipe inspiration page for new ways to enjoy La Brea Bakery sourdough.
A Celebration of Sourdough
Crafted from our original starter and baked with patience and care, La Brea Bakery sourdough is more than bread, it’s tradition. Whether you choose a classic boule or a take-and-bake loaf, there’s a sourdough perfect for every occasion.
Because at La Brea Bakery, sourdough isn’t just bread, it’s our legacy.
Our Sourdough Starter is in Knead of a Name!
36 years old. Millions of loaves baked. Locked in a vault. A living legend…yet still nameless. It is finally our starter’s time to shine, but first, it needs a name!
Grand Prize:
A La Brea Bakery sourdough kit filled with everything you need to create an unforgettable spread with our loaves, plus a $150 Williams Sonoma gift card.
How It Works:
Drop your brilliant name idea in the form — the first 100 entries score a free loaf of bread! *
On October 11, 2025, we’ll reveal the Top 3 finalists (BONUS: each finalist wins a year’s worth of free La Brea Bakery bread* and our From Starter to Finish cookbook).
Come back to vote for your favorite name.
The grand prize winner will be announced on Instagram, Monday, October 20, 2025!
*Don’t ferment too long: Entries close October 8, 2025.