ABSTRACT
With the recent interest and increase in sourdough breads around the country, numerous popular articles have appeared in magazines and books. The various authors seem to feel that the “sourdough starter” originated in southern Europe, more precisely the Basque country. In fact, one of the oldest bakeries in San Francisco was founded more than 100 years ago (during the Gold Rush days) by Basque immigrants. San Francisco sourdough bread has become world famous and is most likely responsible for its spread across the western United States. During the last 10 years, sourdough bread has become popular in many midwestern cities as well as in the northeastern part of the country.
