Artisan sourdough is not designed to behave like supermarket bread. There are no conditioners, preservatives, or artificial softeners holding it in place. What you receive is a living loaf — shaped by fermentation, time, and whole grains. And like any real food, it responds to how it’s treated. This article exists to explain why the simple guidelines in Bread Care work, and how to get the most pleasure from every loaf.

Why do your body and your taste buds know the difference? Most people grew up believing that “bread is bread.” But when someone tastes real sourdough for the first time — not the grocery-store version, but a true, naturally fermented loaf — something clicks immediately. The texture. The aroma. The deep, complex flavor. The way your body feels after eating it. Everything is different. So what exactly makes real sourdough so special? Let’s break it down.