As summer days grow shorter and we gradually transition into the fall and winter shopping season, it’s the perfect time to start planning ahead. To help with your sales and campaign planning year over year, take advantage of the sourdough calendar we’ve created. And speaking of planning, what better way to prepare for the cozy months ahead than by diving into the world of sourdough bread baking? In this interview, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Katrina Niesen, also known as The Sourdough Mama. Katrina, a former teacher turned sourdough enthusiast, has turned her passion for sourdough into a thriving community both online and offline. In this conversation, Katrina shares her journey from overcoming postpartum depression through sourdough baking, to teaching workshops and creating stunning bread art that has captured the hearts of many. Be sure to follow The Sourdough Mama on Instagram and visit her website to stay inspired and informed!
Please tell us where you are from and what you love about where you live?
I am from Modesto California and now reside in Carlsbad. Having lived in Washington for half of my life, I love the weather here. The sunshine is great!
Katrina, what initially sparked your interest in sourdough baking, and how did you begin your journey?
In short, sourdough has been my therapy. After giving birth to my daughter Sophia, I struggled with anxiety and postpartum depression. That was when I discovered sourdough baking through Instagram. I was so inspired by the beautiful bread designs that you could make on top of sourdough with a scoring lame, and I began baking weekly and practicing as much as I could. When New Year’s 2023 came, I made a list of goals I wanted to achieve, and a big goal was to get out of the house, into the community, and DO SOMETHING. It wasn’t until I was visiting a friend that asked if I could teach her sourdough that it all came together. She suggested that I teach others. So, using my background as a former teacher and instructional designer, I began dreaming up a workshop. I was given an opportunity to lead a beginner sourdough workshop at a local cafe that supports families and especially new mothers, and it took off! I have now expanded to teach workshops all around my community and online. I still do instructional design as my 9-5, but this has definitely become a big side gig and passion for me.
How has being based in California added to your sourdough journey?
It’s allowed me to connect with the community here and the many local cafes and venues where I host my workshops.
How has your approach to sourdough baking evolved since you first started?
I have learned so much since I first began! I have learned to journal and ‘listen’ to my starter and dough. I take notes with each bake and adjust from there, knowing the seasons will change my process too. I have shifted to batards; boules used to be my favorite. I have also pushed myself with my designs and started incorporating color and 3D elements. I now often add color with all-natural plant-based powders and dyes.
Do you have a signature sourdough recipe or technique you’re particularly proud of? Can you share a bit about it?
I have developed my own ‘go-to’ recipe through much trial and error that I love. It’s available here on my site for free! My Sourdough Recipe. I am known for giving my dough a loving ‘pat, pat’ after each stretch and fold—I don’t know if this is a technique, but I sure do enjoy it. I am also well-known for my intricate scores and artistic designs—a black cocoa powder Halloween skull, and more recently a hibiscus and butterfly loaf have put me on the map.
Who are some of the people, brands, or companies in the sourdough industry that have inspired you?
Oh soooooooo many! My original muse and how I found sourdough: @madelin_marshall. Then artistic scores by @pal_dough_pal, @amore_fermentum on Instagram. Education: @breadstalker_ (Adelina Roberts on Instagram), @the_sourdough_journey, and Sourdough Geeks Facebook Group. Businesses I love are Rosehill Sourdough, Wiremonkey, Challenger Breadware, Brod & Taylor.
What are your must-have tools or favorite equipment for sourdough baking, and why?
Challenger Breadpan—the price I know is a bit high, but for me, it has been worth every penny. It makes the 5-minute expansion score so easy! I also love my UFO NUX bread lame from Wiremonkeyshop—Tyler is the best, and these lames are high quality and made from real wood. I love flour dusters for sprinkling on my flour. A cake stand for my artistic scores is also key since it allows me to easily rotate the dough as I score. Wood pulp bannetons and breadmats from Rosehill sourdough also helped my bread turn out better. The dough held the right amount of hydration with the wood pulp banneton and the breadmat prevents burnt bottoms!
How do you source your ingredients, and do you have any specific preferences or tips regarding flour, water, or salt?
I use Bob’s Red Mill Artisan Bread Flour and just buy locally. I am team ‘wait to add the salt’ to my recipe (I mix, then add in 30 minutes later). I believe this helps kickstart fermentation in the dough, and it lets me play with the dough again to mix it in later, which I love haha.
Can you share a particularly challenging experience you’ve had with sourdough baking and how you overcame it?
There were quite a few bakes in the beginning where my dough kept splitting, and I was really frustrated. It would tear through my designs, and I couldn’t figure out why—I had a deep expansion score too, so it was odd. It wasn’t until I followed my own advice and deviated from the rules and experimented, that I found a slightly lower baking temp and adding more baking time eventually led to a sweet spot, and my dough stopped splitting! I was thrilled! Always be your own baker and don’t fence yourself in by what you think ‘has’ to be the way.
What do you enjoy most about baking sourdough, and how does it impact your daily life?
I enjoy how it makes me feel, both physically and emotionally. It is something I look forward to each day. The thrill of a beautiful score turning out just how I envisioned. The taste of my garlic rosemary bread, fresh, warm, and smothered in butter. It all just feels so rewarding. Watching my daughter learn how to make sourdough has been special too. She is only 2, but helps me mix, and she enjoys feeding my starter with me. She is a big fan of my ‘pink bread!’
How do you balance tradition and innovation in your sourdough baking practices?
I find I embody this well. I bake with a traditional sourdough bread recipe and format, but the look of the loaf is where I innovate. I combine scoring techniques and color to make my loaves works of art as well as a delicious loaf of bread.
Have you noticed any new trends or innovations in sourdough baking recently?
I have seen many inspired by color and inclusions lately. People are so creative and branching out with their baking. I love to see what everyone in the community comes up with. Others are playing and pushing the limits for sourdough technology such as The Sourdough Journey—I love his experiments with temperature and time. He has inspired me to do a lot of experimenting of my own.
What are some common misconceptions about sourdough baking that you’ve encountered, and how do you address them?
Many people think eating bread is ‘bad,’ and I am here to tell you I eat sourdough every day, and it does not affect you the same way traditional bread does. I don’t feel sluggish, and the taste can’t be beaten. I have also had many tell me they aren’t a baker, but there are times even I feel that way, believe it or not! I encourage myself and others to shift perspective and try mastering a different recipe, or changing up a method to see if it helps. When recipes flop, it’s usually not a sign you are a bad baker; the method just didn’t work for you and your kitchen. There are so many ways to make great sourdough, and bakers need to find their method and what works for them.
In your opinion, what is the most underrated aspect of sourdough baking?
The science! I find it to be a very fun topic, and there is so much going on in a lump of dough. The former teacher in me geeks out over it! I also don’t think I’ll ever forget the satisfaction of that first successful bake. It is like winning the lottery—such a big accomplishment. Gifting a fresh loaf of sourdough feels wonderful too. It is my go-to now and something I know I can share that I have poured my heart and soul into.
Are there any books, videos, or online resources you’d recommend to those wanting to learn more about sourdough baking?
Yes! I have a recorded workshop available for beginners here: Sourdough Mama Workshop. I also love Addie Robert’s ebook “The Secrets of Open Crumb.” Trevor Jay Wilson’s “Open Crumb Mastery” is excellent to up your game to the next level as well.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out with sourdough baking?
Put on your lab coat and experiment! Write down what you do/try, and bake weekly—with the same bowl/flour/recipe, and adjust one variable at a time until you find your favorite result. Lastly, HAVE FUN!
How do you engage with your followers and the sourdough community on social media? What’s your style?
I am obsessive haha. I pop into my DMs all day, talk to you via stories, and love showing all aspects of my life—not just sourdough. 🙂
Have you participated in any collaborations or community events related to sourdough baking, and what was your experience?
Besides my workshops that I do about twice a month, I have hosted many social media events including a colorful crumb contest with many bread friends involved (Petalandproof, Loafibread, Rosehill Sourdough, 3catsandapig, Jenplusgwen, getdoap, Suncore). Right now I am co-hosting a tropical floral-themed challenge with Renee @artbreadlove.
What’s your favorite sourdough recipe to bake for yourself, friends, or your loved ones?
My Lemon Blueberry Sourdough—so delicious! And I try to do a fun score to go with it.
Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to manage a healthy sourdough starter culture?
Yes! Go for the higher ratio feedings. It wasn’t until I moved away from the 1:1:1 ratio that I began to see a more open crumb and better bakes overall. When I first began, I did not understand higher ratio feedings, and now I know it helps keep starters less acidic and gives you more time between feedings. I created a resource that teaches all about this topic, available here: Sourdough Starter Resource.
Do you have any upcoming projects or plans related to sourdough baking that you’re excited about?
I am currently working on a resource for bakers that want to teach others and begin doing workshops. I’ve had so many people ask how I organize my workshops, so I decided to put together a resource to help with that need. I hope to complete it by fall.
What do you hope to contribute or be remembered for most in the sourdough community?
For spreading joy, creative scores, and teaching others how to get started with this amazing journey.
Can you describe a moment when you felt particularly proud or fulfilled in your sourdough baking journey?
After I realized I had taught over 300 people in my workshops, I had a very emotional and proud moment. I realized I met my goal I set on NY 2023 to get out there, teach others, and do something. I also still get teary-eyed every time someone calls me an artist. I think that label is a huge honor.
If you could give one piece of advice to your past self when you started sourdough baking, what would it be?
Watch and observe your starter and dough, listen to it, and adjust as needed. Don’t feel married to one recipe or way of doing things.
Is there anything else, Katrina, that you would like the community to know about you or things you would like the readers to potentially purchase or subscribe to?
I am very active on all of my social channels, so feel free to follow along and reach out anytime. You can find me on Instagram as @the.sourdough.mama, on TikTok as @thesourdoughmama, and on Facebook as The Sourdough Mama. I also regularly share my upcoming workshops, favorite products, and resources on my website, www.thesourdoughmama.com.
For those interested in sourdough artistry, The Sourdough Mama Bundle is a great way to get started. It includes my artistic scoring guide, recipe and resources pack, and dehydrated starter. This bundle is available for purchase on my Etsy shop.
Thank you for reading another amazing and worthwhile interview here on The Sourdough People!
