Pain au Levain Boule

Pain au Levain is the French term for sourdough, or naturally leavened bread.  This is our straight-up crusty white sourdough, which has been served on the tables at Balthazar since 1997.  The boule is a round loaf, so gives a taller slice from the middle than from the ends.  We'll slice it for you, if you like, but the crust will be a little softer because of the plastic bag.  Ingredients: Wheat, water, barley malt, salt.