Rye Sourdough Starter for Artisan Baking | Dehydrated Culture for DIY Bread & More

A culture for every meal from the brand Cultures For Health

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We believe everyone's life can be improved by adding more homemade probiotics from cultured and fermented foods to their diet. From sourdough to kombucha to yogurt and beyond, Cultures For Health is here to help you start your rewarding journey into a natural, gut-healthy lifestyle.

How did we get our start?

Cultures for Health was founded upon the pursuit of sustainable living and a deeper understanding of traditionally prepared, extremely nourishing foods.

Who are we?

Today, the Cultures for Health team includes bakers, brewers, cheesemakers, and more—a group passionate about the benefits of culturing and fermentation.

Why do we love what we do?

We love homemade cultured and fermented foods and beverages for their healthy goodness, delicious taste, and rewarding DIY experience.

Say It With Sourdough

Say "I loaf you" with sourdough bread fresh from the oven

More than a food, bread is a love language all its own, and the foundation for so many of the most cherished dishes around the world. Bread is a whole sensory experience—the heavenly scent of loaves baking, the enticing crunch of crust breaking, and the comfort of soft, warm bread in your mouth.

Out-rye-geously delicious!

Bake loaf after loaf of deliciously dense, earthy artisan bread. Both rye bread and sourdough bread are healthier than regular bread, so rye sourdough bread is kind of like super-bread! Sourdough is easier to digest, is lower in carbs, lasts longer, and has a lower glycemic index, helping you feel full for longer. Rye is high in soluble fiber, which is more filling as well. It's also a good source of micronutrients, particularly B vitamins. Therefore, rye sourdough offers the combined benefits of each, resulting in a nutrient-rich, highly digestible bread.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

You'll have a limitless sourdough supply as long as you keep your starter fed.

Get Started Once You're Ready

You can choose to rehydrate and start culturing whenever you please. (Hint—makes a great gift.)

Your Yummiest Pastime

Keeping a sourdough starter in the house is like caring for a plant…that grows delicious bread.

Make Wide Variety of Baked Goods

You're not limited to simply sourdough bread—you can make pizza dough, bagels, pie crust, and more!

Why Whole Wheat Sourdough Is Good For Your Gut

Probiotics in Sourdough Starter

As your starter ferments, the wild yeast and bacteria consume the sugar content in the flour you feed it, effectively pre-digesting it and making it easier for your body to process. Although the probiotics won't survive the baking process, they've already gotten the job done.

Prebiotics in Sourdough Bread

While finished sourdough loaves don't contain probiotics, they are chock-full of prebiotics, a type of fiber which helps the other end of digestion. The bacteria that reside in your gut will feed on the prebiotics, releasing nutrients to your body.

How do I store the starter?

Store your starter in a mason jar with a loose-fitting lid. You can store at room temperature on your counter

How do I feed my sourdough starter?

If storing on your countertop, you should feed your sourdough culture once every 24 hours using 1 part starter, 1 part water, and 2 parts flour. If you store it in the fridge, you only have to feed it once every 5–7 days.

How is working with rye different from wheat?

Due to being low in gluten, it doesn't require kneading, and in fact should be handled as little as possible. Because the dough is so dense, smaller loaves bake faster and more evenly than larger loaves. It also takes longer to bake: about 1–2 hours.

What do I do with my sourdough starter discard?

You could throw it out, or put it in your compost. You can also keep it in a separate jar for up to a week at room temperature or a month in the fridge, and use it for all sorts of recipes, such as waffles, crackers, desserts, and more.

How can I tell whether or not my starter is healthy?

The main thing to keep your eye on is making sure your starter is bubbling; if not, it's likely dead, due to using the wrong flour or water, an unsanitized jar, or screwing the lid on too lightly.

Check out more of our sourdough products!

San Francisco Style Sourdough Starter Endless Fresh San Francisco Sourdough Starter Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter Whole Wheat Sourdough Starter Artisan Sourdough Bread Kit

Sourdough is one of the most forgiving cultures to work with, making it a great choice for beginners or breadmaking pros. Our line of sourdough starters gives you the chance to bake your own delicious artisan bread at home—perfect for sandwiches, with butter or jam, or simply fresh from the oven.

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