Leaven Introduces First Shelf Stable "Instant Sourdough"

SAN DIEGO---February 16, 2025—Leaven, the first company to introduce Instant Sourdough in an easy-to-use, shelf stable powder of wild sourdough yeast and beneficial bacteria will make its Natural Products Expo debut as a 2026 NEXTY Award Finalist.

Leaven’s Instant Sourdough replaces a traditional starter while delivering true sourdough fermentation, flavor, and performance.

According to NEXTY judges, there were more than 1,000 product entries and the 164 NEXTY finalists represent “the cutting edge of the natural products industry and the bold brands shaping its future.” The winners will be revealed live at the NEXTY Awards Celebration and Ceremony, taking place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Marquis Ballroom at the Marriott hotel next to the Anaheim Convention Center where “Expo West” takes place.

“The advantages of sourdough are well known: great flavor, naturally longer shelf life, and better-for-you bread. Until now, those benefits have been locked behind maintaining a starter, that is extremely difficult to scale for producers and time consuming, expensive and wasteful for home bakers,” says Cameron Martino, CEO of Leaven Foods. “Instant Sourdough is revolutionary as it delivers true sourdough fermentation that eliminates starter hassles. It makes real sourdough more affordable and accessible. We are honored the NEXTY judges recognize how Leaven can change the future of baking.”     

Created by microbiologists who also are bakers, Leaven delivers real sourdough fermentation in an easy-to-use, pantry stable powder of all natural, non-GMO wild sourdough yeast and beneficial bacteria. There’s no feeding, maintenance, or daily sourdough starter ritual. Bakers just add flour, water, salt, and the dormant microbes awaken to deliver the complexity of wild fermentation with total convenience, affordability, great taste and the better-for-you sourdough benefits. Leaven is an ideal replacement for Baker’s Yeast in any recipe.

In addition, Leaven Foods also offers “Instant Wild Yeast” from artisan sourdough that has a rich buttery taste without any sour flavor.

Both “Instant Sourdough” and “Instant Wild Yeast” are all natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, and are currently available in 0.25 ounce sachets that make approximately six-to-eight loaves (SRP $8.99) and professional/food service sized eight ounce bags (SRP $65.99) that make more than 100 loaves. Retail shelf sleeves with 20 sachets are available for in-store merchandising.

ABOUT LEAVEN 

Headquartered in San Diego, Leaven is the first company to offer premium Instant Sourdough in an easy-to-use, shelf stable powder made with all natural, non-GMO wild sourdough yeast and beneficial bacteria. It makes it easy for anyone from home bakers to large-scale producers to create real sourdough breads, pizzas, and more. Available in 0.25 ounce sachet and eight ounce professional/foodservice sized bags. Leaven contains the all the benefits of real sourdough, and reduces costs and food waste by making fermentation more reliable.