Our Sourdough Starter is in Knead of a Name!
36 years old. Millions of loaves baked. A living legend…yet still nameless. You entered, we narrowed it down to our top 3 finalists. Vote today on your favorite to be crowned the rising star starter name!
Name Revealed In
Our Sourdough Starter is in Knead of a Name!
36 years old. Millions of loaves baked. A living legend…yet still nameless. You entered, we narrowed it down to our top 3 finalists. Vote today on your favorite to be crowned the rising star starter name!
Name Revealed In
Our original sourdough starter has been part of every La Brea Bakery loaf since day one. Back in 1989, after a year of trial and error, it finally came to life - thanks to flour, water, and a little wild magic from grape skins. Who knew?! Creating a starter takes patience and time…kind of like raising a child!
Our starter is a legend and deserves a name as iconic as its loaf legacy. Help us choose our winner – but don’t ferment too long, the voting period ends Oct. 21!
Note: you get one vote per day, so be sure to come back tomorrow to keep voting for your favorite!
Great minds rise alike! 🥖 If you see your name submission here, but didn’t get a finalist email from La Brea Bakery, it just means another fan submitted it first.
La Brea Bakery Sourdough:
24 Hours to Artisan Perfection
Our DNA
Our founder spent over a year experimenting before striking gold or in this case, dough. She used wild yeast from grape skins to create the legendary sourdough starter that is now the DNA of every La Brea Bakery loaf. A little wild, a lot iconic.
Not One, But Two
Our bread takes its sweet time to make - 24 hours to be exact. With not one, but two fermentation stages(!), it develops bold flavor and a crispy, golden crust. You won’t just taste the difference — you will hear and smell it too.
Relaxed and Chill
Not all sourdoughs are cut from the same loaf. Ours skips the sharp tang of traditional San Francisco sourdough for a milder, smoother vibe — like a true SoCal local: relaxed, approachable, and totally chill.
From Starter to Finish…our 24-Hour Artisan Process
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SOURDOUGH STARTER
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SHAPING & MIXING
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FIRST FERMENTATION
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SCORING THE BREAD
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SECOND FERMENTATION
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BAKING THE BREAD
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COOLING OR FREEZING
Our True Sourdough Story
Every delicious La Brea Bakery loaf begins with our original sourdough starter, a living culture of wild yeast that makes our sourdough true sourdough. Flour, water, and time.
Naturally Delicious
True sourdough gets its distinctive flavor and health benefits from wild yeast, simple ingredients, and time. Long fermentation builds deep, rich flavor, while resting the dough creates a golden, crispy crust and a soft, airy center.
Better for You
Not only delicious, but real sourdough plays a role in your overall health.
- Easier to digest
- Less gluten
- Prebiotic properties
- Lower glycemic index
- Higher fiber
What Makes Real Sourdough?
There are many sourdough claims out there, but true, authentic sourdough contains:
- Minimal ingredients: Flour, water, and salt
- A slow-rise process (at least 12 hours)
- No dough conditioners
- No vinegar or sugar
The Rise: Secrets Behind La Brea Bakery
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The Starter of it All
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Video coming soonTime is the Secret Ingredient
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Video coming soonThe Perfect Crust Every Time
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Video coming soonBenefits of Sourdough
Meet the Original Six
Born in our café on La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles, the ‘Original Six’ were crafted with our signature sourdough base and plenty of extra time to build bold, unforgettable flavor. Today, these legendary sourdough loaves are still made with the same recipe, ingredients, and process that started it all.
Find Your Next Favorite Recipe
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