sourdough
n. uncountable B2 Upper Intermediate UK //sˈaʊədəʊ// sour·dough
n. a type of bread made using a natural mix of wild yeast and bacteria. It has a slightly tangy taste and a chewy texture.
n. a leavening agent consisting of a fermented mixture of flour and water, used to bake bread. It imparts a distinct acidic flavor and improved shelf life compared to commercial yeast.
I love the tangy flavor of sourdough bread.
The baker spent months cultivating a sourdough starter to ensure the bread had a deep, complex flavor.
While commercial yeast provides a faster rise, sourdough requires a longer fermentation period, allowing the lactic acid bacteria to develop the bread's signature sour profile and dense crumb structure.