Cripple Creek Colorado 1893
The Lazy Antelopes 1893 sourdough starter, originating from Cripple Creek, Colorado, features a unique blend of heritage and quality. It is made using organic, non-GMO stone-ground wheat milled in Iowa by the Lazy Antelope Milling Company, ensuring the retention of its nutritional value and flavor. The meticulous care taken in sourcing and milling the grain contributes to the distinctive taste of this sourdough starter.
Cripple Creek has a rich history, particularly noted for its significance during the Cripple Creek Gold Rush. This exciting period, which lasted from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, transformed the area into a bustling hub of mining activity. Many prospectors flocked to Cripple Creek in search of fortune, leading to rapid population growth and the establishment of various businesses, including bakeries that benefited from the abundance of local grains. The spirit of that era lives on today in the artisanal practices embraced by The Lazy Antelope, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and tradition. The combination of these historical and culinary elements makes the sourdough starter a noteworthy part of Cripple Creek's heritage.
This sourdough starter has a significant historical origin, dating back to the Cripple Creek gold mining community in Colorado, where it was first developed around 1893 during the period of the Gold Rush.
Gold Rush Staple:
In the bustling late 19th century, Cripple Creek was a vibrant hub of dreams and ambition, filled with the sounds of pickaxes striking rock and the hopeful chatter of miners. Among the essential provisions that sustained these rugged individuals was sourdough bread, celebrated for its robust flavor and nourishing qualities. The sourdough starter, an extraordinary symbiotic culture of wild yeast and bacteria, thrived in its natural environment, providing a reliable leavening agent for those isolated in remote mining camps. This bread became more than just a meal; it symbolized nourishment and survival in a landscape where commercial yeast was either difficult to obtain or too susceptible to the elements.
The bond miners formed with their sourdough starters was uniquely personal. Many carried their precious cultures in handmade pouches, worn around their necks or secured to their belts as they navigated the rugged terrain. To ensure the viability of their starters in the biting cold, some miners would even cradle their starters overnight, bringing them into their sleeping quarters like cherished companions. This deep devotion and clever resourcefulness earned them the affectionate nickname "sourdoughs," a testament to their culinary ingenuity and resilience in the pursuit of fortune.
A Living Link to the Past:
This treasured sourdough starter has a lineage that has been meticulously cared for and shared among generations of bakers, preserving its unique blend of flavors and characteristics for over 125 years. While scientifically tracing a lineage can be complex and elusive, the rich stories and traditions interwoven into the very essence of this starter create a powerful connection to history, allowing contemporary bakers to partake in an experience that transcends time and place.
