What do you want to achieve with your sourdough baking this year?Do you have some specific sourdough goals in mind for 2024?
Maybe you want to actually start a sourdough starter and get it bubbling and doubling? Maybe, you want to brush up on your sourdough terminology.
Maybe you want to master an open crumb or challenge yourself to a high hydration loaf? Or try and be more adventurous with your sourdough inclusions? Or maybe you want to go all in and start a sourdough micro bakery at home.
Whatever your sourdough goals are this year, I’d love to help you crush them in 2024!
If you're only just starting out on your sourdough journey, then make sure you check out this beginner's guide to sourdough bread.
Why Is Sourdough Still Popular?
The continued popularity of homemade sourdough bread is rooted in a confluence of factors which has gained momentum as more people gravitate towards more nutrient-dense foods made from scratch and many families adopt a homesteading lifestyle.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further propelled sourdough into the spotlight, as lockdown-induced boredom led to a surge in home baking, with many individuals creating their sourdough starters during this time.
Remarkably, what began as a pandemic pastime has evolved into a lasting movement, with enthusiasts establishing sourdough micro-bakeries at home and creating a sense of community through their artisanal creations.
The future of sourdough bread reflects the modernization of home baking practices. Home bakers are embracing precision through the weighing of ingredient and the accessibility of equipment that empowers them to achieve professional-level results (like the way a Dutch Oven creates the perfect steamy environment).
In a world characterized by rapid change, the enduring love for sourdough bread stands as a timeless pursuit, providing both a culinary outlet and a source of connection amid the evolving landscape of home baking.
Let's Set Some Sourdough Goals for 2024!
Setting goals for your sourdough baking in 2024 can enhance your skills and bring new challenges to your culinary journey. Here are 10 sourdough baking goals you might consider setting this year.
Knead Success? Strengthen Your Sourdough Starter!
You need a strong, robust sourdough starter to achieve a delicious, crusty loaf of sourdough bread. So it's really important not to forget about consistent and regular sourdough starter maintenance to achieve your sourdough goals in 2024.
If you want to boost your sourdough starter this year, make sure you check out this post on strengthening your sourdough starter.
Perfecting the Basic Sourdough Loaf
If you're just beginning your sourdough journey, or maybe you just haven't had a lot of time to devote to sourdough last year. So in 2024, perhaps your sourdough goal will be perfecting the basic sourdough loaf.
Focus on achieving consistent results with your basic sourdough recipe. Experiment with different hydration levels and flour types to understand their impact on the final product. You might also like to explore these 4 ingredients for better sourdough.
Consistency and patience will be your best tools for perfecting your sourdough loaf in 2024 ... along with some of these sourdough baking tools (that I use in my own kitchen).
Exploring Flour Variations to Achieve Your Sourdough Dreams
If you've already got a basic sourdough loaf down pat, why not try incorporating different flours into your sourdough baking routine and smash your sourdough goals for 2024.
If you're up for using some different flours, you could try some of these ideas:
- Spelt Sourdough Bread
- Rustic Rye Sourdough Bread
- Pumpernickel Sourdough Bread
- Sourdough Country Loaf
Adding In New Inclusions & Ingredients To Achieve Your Sourdough Goals
There are a myriad of flavor variations you can use in your sourdough baking, from dried fruit, spices and flavored oils to cheese, fresh herbs and chocolate!
You'll find a starter guide to adding inclusions and new ingredients to your sourdough bread here. And if you're ready to jump right in, why not try some of these flavor ideas:
- Sourdough Bread with Coffee and Maple Infused Dates
- Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread
- Chocolate Sourdough Bread
- Roasted Garlic Sourdough Bread
Mastering the Art of Sourdough Scoring
Work on improving your scoring techniques to create visually appealing patterns on the crust is a fantastic goal to concentrate on this year.
Experiment with different scoring designs to add a decorative element to your loaves. Let your imagination run wild!
You will find lots of helpful tips and tricks to master sourdough scoring here.
Venturing into Advanced Techniques
If you've already mastered the basics, you might like to try your hand at some more advanced sourdough techniques such as:
- High hydration sourdough bread
- Achieving a more open crumb sourdough bread
- Learning Baker's Math
- Sourdough Cibatta Bread
- Manipulating Flavor of Your Sourdough Bread
- Making Multiple Loaves of Sourdough At Once
Open A Sourdough Micro Bakery from Home
If sourdough baking is your jam, you might have thought about opening a sourdough micro bakery from home. You don't have to limit yourself to sourdough bread. Many home bakers report that sourdough bagels, cinnamon rolls and sourdough chocolate chip cookies also sell really well!
You'll find a guide to selling sourdough bread from home here, which will help you in achieving your sourdough goal of setting up a sourdough micro bakery.
Documenting and Reflecting
Keep a sourdough baking journal to document your recipes, techniques, and observations. Regularly review your notes to identify patterns, successes, and areas for improvement in your sourdough baking process.
If you want to start documenting your sourdough right away, you might find this sourdough journal helpful.
Remember, the key is to set goals that align with your interests, challenge you to grow as a baker, and bring joy to your sourdough baking experience. Have fun and make sure you come and share your journey in our Facebook Group of over 150,000 people!
Want Some Extra Help to Achieve Your Sourdough Goals in 2024?
If you're looking for a little extra help to achieve your sourdough goals in 2024, make sure you check out my ebooks, guaranteed to give you a flying start to achieving your sourdough goals!
My book, Sourdough Made Easy is sure to get you off to a flying start! And if you’re looking to delve deeper into your sourdough journey in 2024, then my book “Develop Your Sourdough Instinct” is sure to help you hone your inner sourdough spirit!
I’d love to know what your sourdough goal is so I can help you achieve it! You can leave me a comment below or even send me an email to let me know what you're hoping to achieve in 2024!
Wishing you sourdough success!
Kate (The Pantry Mama) xo
