The Sourdough School

DIVERSITY BREAD® || PERSONALISED BREAD || BAKING AS LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

BAKE WITH THE HANDS OF AN ARTISAN AND THE MIND OF A CLINICIAN

Set within the walled gardens of Dr Vanessa Kimbell's beautiful Victorian home in rural Northamptonshire, The Sourdough School is home to the Proven Bread Programme, teaching the art and science of nutrition, the gut microbiome and fermentation in bread. We train bakers to produce Diversity Bread® and healthcare professionals to personalise bread through Baking as Lifestyle Medicine. Arrange a conversation today.

WhatsApp: +44(0)7813308301
[email protected]
Follow on Instagram

Book a consultation

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Student Login

Navigation
  • Workshops
    • Book a Call
    • 2 Day Workshops
    • 3 days Personalised Bread Workshops
    • Tuscan Retreat
    • 12 Week Post Course Support
    • Request a Callback
  • About
    • About The Sourdough School
    • Priority Access: Join the Waiting List
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • Reviews
    • General FAQ’s about The School
    • Diversity Bread™
    • Where to stay & more
    • Training Bakers & Healthcare Professionals
    • Educational Awards Programme
    • The Team
    • A Social Enterprise
    • Contributors & Guest Tutors
    • What Our Students Say
  • Learn
    • The Diploma – January 2027
    • Request a callback
    • Graduation Recipe Collection
  • What is Proven?
    • Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM)
    • Bread as Preventative Health
    • BALM & Bread in The Blue Zone
    • Proven Bread Documentary
    • Prove it – The Case Studies
    • Proven: Bread Podcast
    • Proven
    • Login
  • Personalised Bread
    • Personalising Bread Using Nutrigenetics
    • Personalisation
    • Personalising Bread

Understanding Wild yeast

Learning Objective

Learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique characteristics of wild yeast and its interactions with lactic acid bacteria in sourdough fermentation, enabling them to make informed decisions in managing sourdough starters. They will also understand how these microbial dynamics influence flavour, structure, and digestibility in bread, as well as specific considerations for individuals with yeast sensitivities or digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease.

Learning Outcome

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between wild yeast and commercial yeast, recognising the implications for flavour, fermentation speed, and nutritional qualities.
  2. Explain the symbiotic relationship between wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria in sourdough starters, including the microbial ratios, size differences, and roles each plays in fermentation.
  3. Identify how environmental factors such as temperature, hydration, and flour type impact yeast and bacterial activity, and adjust these factors to optimise sourdough fermentation.
  4. Discuss the impact of sourdough fermentation on nutrition and digestibility, especially for those with yeast sensitivities or specific digestive conditions like Crohn's disease.
  5. Analyse the role of acidity in pathogen inhibition and flavour development, understanding how it can affect gluten structure and the overall texture of sourdough bread.

This page is not accessible unless you are a registered student. 

Student log in

If you are not yet a student, here are things you can do to learn more... 

  1. If you want to learn more about learning about us, please go to the homepage and check out the courses.
  2. In the meantime, if you want to register for our newsletter, you will be updated about open days and new courses. 
  3. You can also download a copy of our prospectus here

Existing Member Login

Disclaimer

All reasonable care is taken when advising about health aspects of bread, but the information that we share is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Email Sign Up

BANT Member
Lifecode GX

Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 Vanessa Kimbell
Call +44 (0)7813308301 | Email [email protected]
Registered in England & Wales: 08412236
Website by Callia Web