1000 year old ITALY Sourdough Starter - Camaldoli Monastery | Organic Dehydrated Culture

We have obtained the Camadoli Monastery 1000 year old ITALY sourdough culture and made it available for your use.

Included with each order is:
- A gently DEHYDRATED heirloom ORGANIC Sourdough starter
- A step-by-step guide to activating your ORGANIC starter, including recipes and everything you need to know on your journey to making dough, bread, and other items
- Full access to messages with me for any questions or help along the way

- A printed history of the starter.

The sourdough culture originating from the Camaldoli Monastery serves as a powerful link between modern baking practices and the ancient monastic traditions of the Middle Ages. This particular starter embodies the endurance of culinary heritage, the strength of ritual, and the transformative nature of fermentation. It reflects the living legacy of the Camaldoli monks through not only the bread produced but also the shared knowledge and methods passed down over generations. Such a lineage speaks to our enduring ties to cultural heritage and the deeply human ritual of gathering and nourishing through food.

Legend holds that this particular culture has been in continuous use for over a millennium, dating back to the founding of the Camaldoli Monastery itself. Established in the year 1012 by Saint Romuald of Ravenna, the complex—including both a hermitage and a monastery—was uniquely designed to blend solitary and communal monastic life. Nestled just beneath the crest of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and overlooking the Casentino Valley, the site has long been a place of spiritual devotion and daily bread-making.

The Camaldoli starter is known for producing loaves with a light crumb structure and a refined, nuanced flavor. It offers a gentle acidity, creating a delicate sourness that complements rather than overpowers, resulting in a bread that is as subtle as it is steeped in history.

At our facility, we are deeply committed to the careful maintenance of our sourdough cultures, treating them with the same reverence they’ve commanded for millennia. The ITALY starter is stored in a dedicated, climate-controlled space to ensure optimal conditions for its health and longevity. To eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination, we use individually designated tools and mixing vessels for each culture, all of which are clearly marked and stored separately. Our facility undergoes frequent evaluations by both in-house teams and third-party inspectors, allowing us to maintain exceptional standards in hygiene, safety, and product integrity. This rigorous approach helps us uphold the authenticity of our sourdough offerings and provides our customers with confidence in the quality of what they receive. For over 25 years, we have carefully stewarded a diverse range of cultures and genetics, following strict standard operating procedures to preserve their original traits and prevent genetic drift.

***PHOTOS OF ACTIVE STARTER IN OUR LISTINGS ARE ONLY TO SHOW HOW IT LOOKS WHEN IT IS ACTIVATED; your starter will arrive as a gently dehydrated item, as seen in the photos.***
*If you want to purchase a WET starter in a glass jar, please message me, as I have not listed any yet, but could offer it if desired.*

Pristine hydro-filtered water was used to make this starter, ensuring maximum yeast microbes and strong vigor. Every step was taken to preserve the quality and integrity of this starter.

***This starter is dehydrated at room temperature to preserve its integrity and is ready for you to initiate at any time you please. I can assist you with anything sourdough-related; thanks!***

Please message me with questions; I am on standby to assist with anything sourdough-related. I usually respond to customers very quickly, sometimes even in minutes! I have included some photos and info from friends and family (with permission) to show you various recipes and items you can make with this starter.