The Sourdough Companion: The Complete Guide to Mastering Your Starter and Baking Artisan Bread at Home

Have you ever stood in front of a bubbling jar of flour and water and wondered, "Is this alive? Am I doing this right?" You are not alone. Sourdough can feel intimidating — a world of hydration percentages, cold proofs, and crumb diagnostics that seems reserved for professional bakers. But here is the truth: sourdough is ancient, forgiving, and waiting for you to begin.

The Sourdough Companion is the only book you will ever need on your sourdough journey. Prince Penman walks you through every single step — from mixing flour and water on day one to pulling a perfectly burnished, crackling artisan loaf from your oven. No assumptions. No jargon. Just warm, patient, authoritative guidance that meets you exactly where you are.

Inside, you will discover:

·A fail-proof, day-by-day guide to building your starter — complete with visual cues, aroma guides, and troubleshooting for every hiccup along the way

·The complete Companion Loaf method — your first artisan boule, broken down into clear, achievable stages with zero guesswork

·How to read your dough (not the clock) — master the sensory skills that turn recipe-followers into instinctive bakers

·An entire section on the discard jar — over 40 creative recipes that transform your "waste" into pancakes, waffles, crackers, pizza dough, brownies, and more

·Artisan techniques for when you're ready to go deeper — baguettes, brioche, challah, babka, ancient grains, high-hydration doughs, and decorative scoring

·A complete diagnostic guide — read your crumb, fix your crust, and solve every common problem with confidence

Unlike books that focus only on the starter or only on the recipes, The Sourdough Companion weaves together the practical, the emotional, and the culinary into a single, cohesive journey. You will learn not just how to bake sourdough, but why each step matters — and how to make the process your own.

Whether you are a complete beginner who has never touched a scale or an intermediate baker chasing the perfect open crumb, this book will become your companion in the kitchen.

Start your starter. Bake your first loaf. Waste nothing. Feed everyone.