9 Jul 2026
Born in Italy, crafted with tradition, made from carefully sourced Italian Durum Wheat
Italy has always been a place where baking is more than food – it is heritage, generosity, and a celebration of the simplest ingredients transformed into something remarkable. O-tentic Durum was created with that spirit in mind: born in Italy, inspired by its authentic baking traditions, it is a complete, active sourdough solution made from Italian durum wheat, designed to bring the authentic taste, texture, and soul of Italian breadmaking to bakers around the world.
The gold of Puglia: where our sourdough begins
Authenticity begins long before the dough fermentation. It begins in the soil.
In the sun-drenched fields of Puglia, a unique microclimate produces what locals proudly call gold – durum wheat semolina. For more than 20 years, we have been sourcing our flour exclusively from this region, always looking for outstanding quality.
Durum flour – or semolina - stands apart for one reason: its natural generous nature. It absorbs 10-15% more water than standard flour, enabling higher dough hydration. This is the technical secret behind the bread’s iconic structure – a thick, amber crust protecting a soft, yellow crumb rich with the aroma of durum wheat, which is naturally fresher for longer.
Inspired by Italy’s sourdough tradition
In Italy, bread is never “just bread”. It is a ritual, a memory, and the centerpiece of every table. The sourdough tradition is passed from hand to hand, from village to village, capturing not only flavor but the soul of the community.
O-tentic Durum was born from the desire to bring bakers around the world closer to that heritage.
One bread in particular sparked this journey: Altamura bread.
A historic loaf made from durum wheat, Altamura bread was once baked in communal wood-fired ovens after families prepared large doughs at home – some weighing up to six kilos to feed farmers for weeks. Strict medieval rules, family-stamped loaves, and shared ovens gave the bread its identity: a symbol of generosity and togetherness.
To honor and protect this legacy, we preserve a unique Altamura sourdough in our world’s only sourdough library. Discover more about our Sourdough Library on Sourdough Institute | Experience the Science and Art of Sourdough
Why bakers need O-tentic Durum
Authentic Italian sourdough is celebrated for its distinctive character and depth of flavor, yet caring for a traditional “mother” starter is a demanding craft. Bakers must refresh it daily with flour and water, a routine that requires consistency and attention.
Even small variations in handling can influence the stability of the starter and, over time, impact flavor and performance. For both artisanal and industrial bakeries, maintaining such a living culture across multiple production lines can be a real operational challenge.
That’s exactly why we created O-tentic Durum: to remove the complexity while preserving the magic.
O-tentic Durum: Italian tradition made simple
Our idea was clear: give bakers the soul of Italian sourdough without the operational compromises.
O-tentic Durum is our active bakery solution made with dried Italian durum wheat sourdough, capturing the creamy flavor, the open crumb, and the unmistakable character of authentic Pugliese breads. It delivers authenticity, reliability, and flavor… without the complexity of maintaining a sourdough starter.
By using O-tentic Durum at just a 4% dosage (which makes the recipe only 4 ingredients), you can achieve extraordinary, reliable results and a fermentation time as short as 2 hours.
With O-tentic Durum, bakers worldwide can bring the taste, generosity, and tradition of Italian baking into their own creations – easily, consistently, and with extraordinary results.
Italian Breads by O-tentic – a recipe book to discover Italy’s baking soul
Italy’s bread culture is built on centuries of shared traditions.
Italian Breads by O-tentic brings these traditions to life through recipes crafted by Martin De Vit, Puratos International Technical Advisor, and Guglielmo Ermini, Italian baking specialist.
Together, they explored regional techniques and timeless rituals to reinterpret classic Italian loaves through the lens of O-tentic.
This book is more than a collection of recipes – it is a journey into the generosity of authentic Italian baking culture, the richness of sourdough, and the pleasure of baking bread meant to be shared.
Welcome to the heart of Italian breadmaking.
Ready to bring the spirit of Altamura to your bakery? Download the free Italian Breads by O-tentic e-book or contact your local Puratos representative to see how O-tentic Durum can help you sign your own artisanal loaves with the authentic flavor of Puglia.
