A more specific form of Leaven (a substance that causes dough to rise). It is also known as a “sourdough starter”, “mother” or “chef”. It is a preferment (a portion of dough that is fermented before the final dough is made) that is composed of wild yeast and bacteria. This is different from a Leaven because a Leaven is a broad term indicating anything that causes dough to rise. Levain always refers to a preferment which is yeast-based. Note that this definition (Levain = sourdough) is true in the Unites States, but in other countries, Levain can mean slightly different things.
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