Sourdough is created when humans partner with yeast and bacteria to make a beautiful bread. It is one of our most ancient technologies, yet it remains full of mysteries. As scientists, we still don’t understand what all the species are that help us make this bread, where they come from, and how they contribute to bread’s shelf stability, flavor, and nutrition.

We partnered with the Public Science Lab at North Carolina State University to understand some of the secrets of sourdough. This project includes a citizen science research project that enables people at home to help with the process of microbial discovery. The data gathered will contribute to our understanding of the science of microbes. The process will help educate the public on some of the most tasty applications of the microbes around us.