Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (2024)

The Polish sourdough rye bread recipe from the times of the People’s Republic of Poland is a dark golden brown in color. Tasty and aromatic, you’ll love the crispy exterior and soft center of chleb żytni na zakwasie.

Czarny Chleb I Czarna Kawa!

If you don’t have the rye sourdough starter, check out this Polish rye bread with yeast.

Do you remember the song “Czarny chleb i czarna kawa”? It means “Black bread and black coffee”.An anthem of communist times in Poland, people older than me will recall the meaning of this song.

There was almost no food in the shops. To get something better than black bread, vodka, coffee, tea, milk, and other basic food, you needed to stand in a queue for a very long time, sometimes even for a few days.

Poland was under Russian influence from 1945 until 1989, and the recipe for this dark bread was officially approved by Stalin. One of the few things to eat that were always available was this dark rye bread.

So many of the old generation in Poland are not fond of the bread. They think white bread is luxurious and sourdough bread is for the poorest. They can’t stand the taste of chleb żytni na zakwasie. I’ve never seen my grandparents have it 😉

But being born 2 yearsafter Poland became a free country means I saw a different side of Poland growing up. The younger generation like myself really likesthis bread. It’s healthy, filling, and delicious!

How To Make No-knead Rye Sourdough Bread

The dark sourdough rye bread recipe is very easy to make with just 4 ingredients. However, it’s very time-consuming. If you don’t have the rye sourdough starter, you need 5 days to make it from scratch.

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (1)

Then it takes another 24-27 hours to get the final bread. You are basically mixing a little bit of rye flour and water at a time, and repeating the process over a period of 4 hours, 12 hours, 6 hours, and 2 hours.

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (2)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (3)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (4)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (5)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (6)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (7)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (8)

The sourdough rye bread is then left to rest in the loaf pans for another 45 minutes before baking. So follow the instructions in the recipe card below closely while making it.

You can slice the bread when it’s completely cold, but Polish sourdough rye bread tastes best the next day!

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (9)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (10)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (11)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (12)
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (13)

Tips For Polish Dark Rye Bread Recipe

  • You can buy sourdough starter online if you prefer but it’s easy to make at home using this starter recipe.
  • Sprinkle the bread with cold water when it’s just out of the oven. This makes it crispier!
  • Serve with softened butter or honey as a snack.
  • You can mix in a little wheat flour if you wish.
  • If you want to skip asking the loaf pans afterwards, use disposable molds instead.
  • Do not cut the bread when it’s hot!
  • Make a bigger batch and it will last for more days!
  • You can sprinkle the bread with crushed sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
  • Tastes best a day later!
Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (14)

FAQs About Polish Sourdough Rye Bread

Why Was The Dark Sourdough Rye Bread Eaten During World Wars And Communist Times?

The dark rye sourdough bread had a few plus points that made it more popular during times of strife:

  • It was ok to eat for up to 2 weeks which made it the perfect food for the soldiers. That’s why this rye bread is sometimes called Russian soldier bread.
  • Rye bread is heavy and filling. After eating just 2 slices you would be full for a long time, which was important in times of shortages and lack.

Where Did Rye Bread Originate?

Rye as a crop is believed to have been introduced to Europe by the Saxons when their wheat crops failed. From there rye bread spread all over Europe and has been eaten in most countries including Poland since Medieval Times. Of course, rye flour has also been used in Asia and Africa for the same amount of time or longer.

What If The Bread Is Not Rising Properly?

If the bread is not rising properly, it might be because the zakwas is too young. Add a bit more the next time, or wait for the zakwas starter to be a few weeks old before using it.

It can also be because of the weather. For the last rise, it’s important that the dough is in a warm place. If the weather is cold, put the bread in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius for it to rise.

If It Takes More Than 24 Hours When Do I Start Making The Bread?

To make this bread, start a day earlier. If you want to eat it for the dinner, start making it the afternoon of the day before. Or if you want to bake it for breakfast, start the leavening process two nights earlier.

How To Store Polish Sourdough Rye Bread?

Rye bread can be stored for 4 to 5 days in a covered dish on the counter, or for 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie]

Yield: 20 slices

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe (Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie)

The Polish sourdough rye bread recipe from the times of the People's Republic of Poland is a dark golden brown in color. Tasty and aromatic, you'll love the crispy exterior and soft center of chleb żytni na zakwasie.

Prep Time 1 day

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 day 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsps of rye sourdough starter
  • 7 cups (880g) of rye flour
  • 3 cups of water
  • 2 ½ tbsps of honey
  • 1 tbsp of salt

Instructions

  1. If you don't have a rye sourdough starter, use this recipe to make it at home (it takes 5 days).
  2. In a big bowl, mix rye sourdough starter with 1 cup of rye flour and ½ cup of purified, lukewarm water. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm place for 6 hours.

6 Hours Later

  1. Add 1 cup of rye flour and ½ cup of purified, warm water, and mix. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm place for 10-12 hours.

12 Hours Later

  1. Add ⅘ cup of rye flour and ½ cup of purified, warm water (a bit warmer than in the previous step), and mix. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm place for 3-4 hours. The dough should double or triple its size.

4 Hours Later

  1. Dissolve salt with 1 ½ cup of very warm purified water.
  2. Add honey and mix.
  3. Add the mixture to the dough, and add 4 ½ cups of rye flour. Mix using your hand or a spoon. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave in a warm place for about 2 hours.

2 Hours Later

  1. Oil the 13 x 4'' bread pan, then sprinkle with rye flour. Shake off the remaining flour.
  2. Oil your hands and transfer the dough onto the bread pan.
  3. Using your hand or silicone brush, oil the top of the bread. Leave in a warm place for about 45-60 minutes.

45 Minutes Later

  1. Preheat the oven to 464°F (240°C).
  2. Put the bread into the hot oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  3. After 10 minutes, reduce the heat to 356°F (180°C). Bake for another 70-80 minutes.
  4. When the bread is ready, place it on the cooling rack and sprinkle it with cold water (it will make the bread skin crispier).

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 351mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g

These data are indicative and calculated by Nutritionix

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Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (20)

Did you like this Polish sourdough rye bread recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

Polish Sourdough Rye Bread Recipe [Chleb Żytni Na Zakwasie] - Polish Foodies (2024)

FAQs

Do Polish people eat sourdough bread? ›

You can buy French baguettes, Italian ciabattas, our favourite kaiser rolls and graham rolls pretty much everywhere, yet the true, iconic Polish bread is the sourdough, which means there is no yeast added, but all the leavening work is done by a sourdough starter, which you need to make a few days in advance.

What is the traditional bread in Poland? ›

In Poland, bread really is the staff of life. Classic Polish rye bread — dark, dense, and nourishing — is essential, a timeless Old World tradition.

Do Polish people eat rye bread? ›

Most Polish bread to be found in these bakeries is made of wheat and rye flour. Don't forget that bread tastes best when covered with good quality butter and some spring onion. Smacznego!

Is Polish rye bread healthy? ›

Rye bread is a healthy type of bread that's an excellent choice for sandwiches, toast, tuna melts, croutons, and so much more. As with most grain products (e.g. breads and pastas), whole-grain varieties of rye bread will provide the most impressive nutritional benefits.

What is the most eaten food in Poland? ›

Among popular Polish national dishes are bigos [ˈbiɡɔs], pierogi [pʲɛˈrɔɡʲi], kiełbasa, kotlet schabowy [ˈkɔtlɛt sxaˈbɔvɨ] (pork loin breaded cutlet), gołąbki [ɡɔˈwɔ̃pkʲi] (stuffed cabbage leaves), zrazy [ˈzrazɨ] (roulade), zupa ogórkowa [ˈzupa ɔɡurˈkɔva] (sour cucumber soup), zupa grzybowa [ˈzupa ɡʐɨˈbɔva] (mushroom ...

When should you not eat sourdough bread? ›

It's pretty easy to tell when sourdough bread has gone bad because it will be covered in visible signs of mold growth and will feel hard both inside and out.

Why couldn t Jews bake bread in Poland? ›

In the 1200s, the Jewish people weren't allowed to bake bread. This was due to the ties between bread and the sacrament. Poland was considered relatively progressive when it came to the land's Jewish population, and Jews were allowed to work with bread.

What is the national dish of Poland? ›

Bigos stew is the national dish of Poland. It can be made with any kind of meat from pork to rabbit or venison, but should always have spicy Polish sausage.

What is the breakfast of Poland? ›

8:30 – 'Śniadanie' (breakfast)

Poles often start the day with meat or eggs. They commonly have what they call 'a sandwich', meaning a slice of bread topped with cold cuts or kiełbasa, or scrambled eggs. There can also be a side of dairy – either kefir, or quark cheese mixed with radishes.

What is the finest food in Poland? ›

10 Best Polish Foods Everyone Should Try
  • Pierogi.
  • Bigos.
  • Placki ziemniaczane.
  • Barszcz.
  • Gołąbki.
  • Pączki.
  • Żurek.
  • Flaki.

Do Polish people eat cheese? ›

Cheese is not only enjoyed on its own or as part of Polish dishes but also an ingredient in many classic Polish desserts. "Sernik," a traditional Polish cheesecake made with twaróg cheese, eggs, and sugar and often flavored with lemon or vanilla.

What ethnicity eats rye bread? ›

Wheat-rye bread, including light rye (sissel), American pumpernickel, and the combination of the two as marbled rye, is closely associated with Jewish cuisine and Jewish-American cuisine, particularly the delicatessen.

What are the disadvantages of rye bread? ›

Some disadvantages of rye bread

Therefore, if using rye rye bread inappropriately, it can also affect health. Causes flatulence: In rye bread contains high fiber content and a certain amount of gluten. These two substances can lead to bloating in people who are sensitive to them.

Is rye bread better than sourdough? ›

As long as they're made with whole grains and have limited or no added sugar, both rye bread and sourdough bread are healthy bread options. Sourdough bread may be even healthier than regular bread because the fermentation makes certain vitamins and minerals easier for our bodies to absorb.

What is the healthiest sourdough bread? ›

When choosing a sourdough loaf, look for ones that have whole wheat, spelt or rye, Rizzo adds. Some studies suggest that Einkhorn wheat, a type of "ancient grain," may offer more nutritional benefits. When comparing nutrition labels, try to opt for the one with fewer ingredients and less sodium and sugar.

Do Europeans eat sourdough bread? ›

In the southern part of Europe, where panettone is still made with sourdough as leavening, sourdough has become less common in the 20th century; it has been replaced by the faster-growing baker's yeast, sometimes supplemented with longer fermentation rests to allow some bacterial activity to build flavor.

What country is known for sourdough bread? ›

It is believed that the use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in ancient Egypt in approximately 3000 BC and from there spread gradually to Europe, throughout ancient Greece and the Roman Empire until the present.

What ethnicity is sourdough bread? ›

While ancient Egypt is generally heralded as the birthplace of sourdough, evidence of fermented bread has been found in Bern, Switzerland, said to date back 3600BC (around 5000 years ago). There are a few different dates floating around, both the for the discovery of yeasted bread in Switzerland and Egypt.

Is Polish the same as sourdough? ›

A poolish is a version of sourdough starter or preferment, except that poolish is made with commercial yeast as opposed to natural or wild yeast. A poolish also requires much less time than a sourdough starter. Both poolish and sourdough starter are fed with wheat flour and fermented at room temperature.

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