Joan of the Hearth: 58-Year Heirloom Sourdough Starter

Some kitchens inherit recipes.

Some inherit tools.

And some, if they are very lucky, inherit something alive.

This organic sourdough starter comes from Freedom Sourdough, a small scratch micro-bakery in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The starter herself is named Joan — a family heirloom originally from Italy and at least 58 years old. Joan is still used in Freedom Sourdough’s commercial bakery every day, fed daily, worked daily, and relied on for the slow, handmade breads that come out of their kitchen.

This is a living piece of baking heritage: robust, mature, and ready for a new home.

Each packet includes 20g of active organic sourdough starter. Only 10g is needed to begin building your starter, so the packet includes enough for two tries. Freedom Sourdough also offers online support, with videos coming soon.

This starter is best for home bakers who want to begin or refresh a sourdough practice with a mature heirloom starter rather than starting from scratch. It is shelf-stable and compact, making it easy to store, gift, or add to a baking basket.

Product Details

• 20g organic sourdough starter
• 58-year family heirloom starter originally from Italy
• Starter name: Joan
• Used daily in Freedom Sourdough’s commercial bakery
• Only 10g needed to begin starter, so packet includes enough for two tries
• Online support available from vendor
• Shelf-stable
• Made in the United States
• Made by a scratch micro-bakery in Tarpon Springs, Florida
• Organic
• Plant-based
• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Dairy-free
• Nut-free
• Soy-free
• Alcohol-free
• Low sodium
• Low sugar
• Sugar-free
• Contains wheat

Ingredients

Organic unbleached flour, filtered water.

Allergen Notice

Contains wheat.