I have been exploring sourdough slowly as a hobby and still not quite confident.

I purchased some sourdough at a market tonight for Christmas Eve to take the pressure off myself to make a good loaf to pair with our meal.

I just got home and opened my loaf. The entire bottom is opaque black. None of my bread has ever been this dark.

Is this normal? Is this objectively burnt? And, would you complain to the merchant? I feel like this is inferior product for $15, but maybe I could get some perspective here.

by throwawayobv999999

28 Comments

  1. scenemore

    the surface you bake on was prob a lil too hot, bit of crust doesnt affect the flavor all that much

  2. ranting_chef

    Put a sheet pan on the shelf directly below the shelf you’re baking on. Or maybe get a Silpat liner to fit the pan.

  3. ApplicationGreat3270

    Pressure’s back on, start tuning up your starter. Looks like you’re making bread tomorrow, after all. You can do better than that 🍞🎄🎅

  4. ohnotheskyisfalling5

    I would send them a picture and ask how they would like to proceed. I wouldn’t be happy with that rither

  5. coffeehelps

    I would contact the seller. This is not professional.

    I would also consider the price. My farmers market had a sourdough guy who sells loafs from 10-12 bucks a loaf, and if they are not up to speck (and this is not) he won’t sell them.

    If this is around a 850 gram loaf for 10 bucks I would ask for a refund.

  6. Fuzzy_Welcome8348

    Yes. I personally would try to return it and get the money back for it

  7. dersillac

    The technical/professional terms are (and excuse my language) “dirty dog dickery” and “cooked with a hammer”. Unacceptable.

  8. KorbelandCoke

    My wife and I do a farmers market stand for Sourdough – we’d never sell this. I’d ask them to remake it, and tell them to put a thin layer of oatmeal between their parchment paper and the pan to prevent the burning on the bottom. (we use silicon, and still need the oatmeal, especially with thinner steel pans)

  9. LittleMsArty

    Yeah, I’d say thats burnt and the bread inside most likely will be dry. Contact the seller and request a replacement. 💩happens but if they make a regular habit of this, definitely no longer support them.

  10. marsupialcinderella

    I like dark crust but that is BURNT.

    Get a refund or a replacement.

  11. AngryCustomerService

    That’s a bit dark. If you don’t mind roughing it up a bit, you can take a steak knife (or similar) and scrape it down the bottom. That will shave off the darkest bits.

  12. oogieboogiexo

    I wouldn’t even give this to family that’s crazy

  13. vonhoother

    Yes, you should take that back. A decent baker wouldn’t want that loaf out there with their name on it, and would appreciate the chance to make amends.

  14. Addapost

    Burned. That’s nuts. And independent of that, $15 is crazy to charge for a single sourdough loaf. Homemade loafs around me are $8.

  15. IceDragonPlay

    Burnt.

    Terrible vendor because they saw this when taking out of the pan and again when packaging them and still decided to sell it.

  16. KillerQueenMirelurk

    I’ve recently begun selling my bread, if one of my customers got a loaf that look like that I would be embarrassed. If anyone has complaints about the product I sell, I want them to let me know so I can make it right and improve.

    On the other hand, that is such an obvious flaw that it’s hard to believe that they didn’t know when they sold it.

  17. Professional_Toe996

    The more I see these posts where people have the audacity to sell something like this; the more I stop doubting myself.

    Get your money back and take it as a sign from the universe to keep perfecting your own craft.

  18. Fuzzy_Plastic

    I’d never sell a loaf like that! My customers definitely get better quality than that from me. A dark top is fine, but the bottom can’t be burnt. Sourdough 101

  19. Roadiedreamkiller

    Finding a good local source for sourdough is so difficult. The bar is so low in the US that anything better than store bought will sell. I’ve been disappointed so many times I’ve resorted to ordering loafs from Tartine for $20 a pop plus shipping.

  20. DBklynF88

    It’s just reinforces why making your own will always be the way.

  21. melkor80

    I must be out of touch with US prices $15 for any type of bread seems really high

  22. motherfudgersob

    I’d have taken it back. Especially at $15.

  23. wtfbenlol

    Yeah that’s not sellable or acceptable. Get your money back

  24. KylosLeftHand

    Appalling. I’d never sell that to a customer. Send this pic to the seller.