The Sekowa Spezial Backferment is an alternative to fast-acting yeasts and to sourdoughs or levains. It is a honey-based ferment very popular in Germany since it gives many of the qualities of sourdough breads without the need to.

A good way to use the Sekowa Baking Ferment is to make up a batch of starter from it which is then consumed as you make your bread recipes. This article shows how to make a batch of the starter (not a sourdough starter) which will keep in your 'fridge for a couple of months, to be used as you need it.

I've always loved malt-loaf - the bought stuff I'm afraid - but only as I have never been able to make my own that comes close to that moist malty flavour that when spread with butter makes a delicious snack perfect for taking on a walk to bridge to gap before reaching the pub.

The San Francisco Starter has been discontinued since this article was written and replaced with the BakeryBits Dried Sourdough Starter (Wheat). Goldrush San Francisco Starter The dried San Francisco starter is very easy to use and will get you started in the world of sourdough baking, quickly and effectively. Once activated, your starter will, if looked after through simple feeding...

Sekowa Spezial Backferment or baking ferment is a German bread-proofing product or ferment containing natural yeasts and enzymes and an alternative to commercial fast-acting engineered yeasts. The resultant bread has an excellent crust and non-sourdough flavour but gives a similar wild-yeast soft, open crumb that keeps well. Read More