5 Jul 2024
Puratos, a global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, announces the opening of its new Sourdough Institute: a unique hub dedicated to celebrating the art, science and potential of sourdough. Through a combination of masterclasses, online events, its one-of-a-kind Sourdough Library and ground-breaking research, the Institute in Sankt Vith, Belgium, aims to “protect, research and inspire” the legacy of the popular ingredient on a global scale.
Our institute is founded on three pillars: Protect, Research, and Inspire.
Protect: The institute houses the world’s only Sourdough Library, dedicated to the conservation and promotion of sourdoughs from across the globe. With 153 sourdoughs stored in-house, the Library ensures the biodiversity of strains for future generations. It also has a vast analytical capability, where more than 1,500 strains have already been isolated, to better understand the fermentation process in the pursuit of better tasting, healthier sourdough products. For over 10 years, the Library has provided unique insights and facilitated expert consultation on all things sourdough – from its sensory attributes to its many health benefits.
Research: We believe in the power of science to uncover the unique aspects of sourdough. Through longstanding collaborations with leading universities and researchers such as Prof. Marco Gobbetti at the Free University of Bolzano, the team is committed to sharing and expanding knowledge, to make sourdough and its benefits more accessible to all.
Inspire: Our goal is to inspire all individuals about the incredible potential of sourdough. We share tips, tricks, recipes, and techniques to empower everyone to master the art of sourdough baking. By sharing our knowledge and passion, we hope to inspire all generations of bakers to embrace the joy and rewards of sourdough.
Our Masterclasses
At the heart of our mission lies a passion for educating individuals about the rich world of sourdough, encompassing its diverse techniques and profound insights. Are you ready to delve deeper into this fascinating realm or keen to embark on a journey with us? Explore further at www.sourdoughinstitute.com.
Puratos’s history with sourdough dates as far back as the 1980s – we have always been passionate about improving and advocating the flavor and health and well-being properties of sourdough products. Now with fast-growing consumer interest in recent years, there is a huge appetite for all things sourdough, which is why it’s the perfect time to open the Sourdough Institute,” comments Karl de Smedt, sourdough librarian, Puratos. “Unbelievably, research on sourdough is still in relative infancy. Since every sourdough is unique, it’s even more important that we improve our collective knowledge in this area. We want to become, and help our customers become, not just leaders, but pioneers in health, taste and sustainability. And by preserving sourdough’s heritage, furthering our research and educating bakers on best practices, we want to ensure its benefits continue to flourish for many more generations to come.
