San Francisco bakery transforms sourdough with ancient techniques

In the vibrant culinary landscape of San Francisco, the artisanal bakery Jane the Bakery stands out for its dedication to traditional sourdough breadmaking practices. Jamie Sams, the kitchen lead, oversees a team that bakes around 600 loaves each busy morning, highlighting the bakery's commitment to high-quality, handcrafted bread. Each loaf undergoes a five-day process that reflects a meticulous approach to breadmaking. Owner Amanda Michael emphasizes the importance of using the whole kernel of grain, citing a return to ancient methods where nothing is stripped from the grain, thus enhancing the bread's nutritional value. The bakery's operations also involve milling grain on-site sourced from Amanda Michael's family farm, representing a seed-to-slice endeavor that cherishes local agriculture. This method not only supports sustainable practices but also connects their products to the land and community. The growing interest in sourdough nationally, particularly spurred by a pandemic-driven surge in home baking, appears to have kept the bakery thriving despite challenges such as rising ingredient and labor costs. As health-conscious consumers increasingly lean towards functional foods, traditional breads like sourdough have become more desirable in the marketplace. Karen Bornarth from the Bread Bakers Guild of America points out that consumers are more discerning than ever, pushing bakeries to improve quality while trying to keep prices manageable. However, the artisanal nature of this bread-making approach entails significant labor costs, which complicates efforts to keep products accessible to wider audiences. Predictably, the sourdough market is projected to grow significantly, with estimates indicating it may exceed $3.5 billion by 2030. This trend underlines the lasting appeal of bread as a staple food, reinforcing the idea that the public is far from abandoning it. In essence, the work of Jane the Bakery exemplifies how returning to traditional baking methods can successfully meet modern tastes and preferences while promoting sustainability and health.