Is Sourdough Gluten-Free?

What is sourdough?

Sourdough is a type of bread that is leavened, meaning the dough rises through fermenting the grain which releases gas (taking the place of commercial yeast). The process of fermentation requires bakers to make a sourdough starter; the starter is a mix of yeast which after it has properly fermented can be used to make sourdough bread. It is therefore also vegan since it generally consists of bread flour, water and some salt and sugar. 

Is sourdough gluten-free?

Though it often isn’t gluten-free, it is still possible to make gluten-free sourdough. This can be achieved by using a gluten-free flour such as rice instead of wheat flour, and leavened the same it can still create sourdough loaves like the original. However, most commercially-sold sourdough bread is not gluten-free, so always check the label if you have gluten sensitivity of coeliac’s disease. 

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