Desem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Desem (Flemish for "leaven") is a type of sourdough starter made from whole wheat flour and water, inoculated by wild yeasts and bacteria, traditionally used in Belgium to make whole-wheat bread. The starter is grown in a bed of whole wheat flour at cool temperatures until it reaches sufficient maturity. The term "desem" also describes the whole wheat loaf made with this starter. Desem bread made from a mature desem is characterized by a strong rise, and a light texture, and nutty, slightly sour taste. The loaf is similar in process to the French "pain au levain", but made with whole wheat flour and starter instead of white flour.

Desem bread has a strong following in the natural foods community, where it was largely popularized by vegetarian cookbook author Laurel Robertson.

[edit] References

Good Food: The Complete Guide to Eating Well, Margaret Wittenberg. 1995. p93.
Natural Tucker Bread Book, John Downes. 1983.
The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book: A Guide to Whole-Grain Breadmaking 2ed, Random House, 2003, ISBN 978-0812969672.