Our Story

Hi! I’m Ayeza, the founder of Changla Sourdough. Welcome to my world of wholesome food. As a mother and a professional nutritionist, I have been on a continuous journey to prioritize healthy meals for my family. This conscious effort began by replacing ultra-processed food options, such as: sugar laden desserts, refined carbohydrates and fast foods, with my home-made recipes that include intentional ingredients with targeted health and nutritional benefits. My passion for food and creative recipe experimentation is inspired by memories of my grandmother baking cakes in a wood-fired oven, coupled with the nostalgic aroma of mother's freshly baked bread. With fifteen years of experience as a clinical dietitian, I have counseled numerous patients using Medical Nutrition Therapy (for treatment and/or prevention of disease) and shared multiple healthy recipes and cooking methods. Cooking, baking, gardening, and photography are my primary sources of rejuvenation.

Sourdough and its Health Benefits:

In my attempt to substitute the use of regular bread for our meals, I started looking for high-quality, complex carb options. This motivated me to experiment with baking sourdough bread, which is a staple for all our bread-based recipes. Some of the many health benefits of sourdough - prebiotic bread made with probiotic rich dough - are as follows: 

  • Feeds the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut
  • Contains high levels of vitamins, minerals and has antioxidant properties
  • Prebiotics (found in the baked sourdough) and probiotics (formed during the process of fermentation) help maintain a stable digestive system.
  • Helps build a stronger and more supportive immune system
  • Manages blood sugar levels and eases digestion
  • provides protection from damage that causes diseases such as: Cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease 
  • Sourdough bread with a lower glycemic index and reduced gluten, efficiently manages blood sugar levels

The story behind Changla Sourdough

Changla Sourdough originated at The Round House in Changla Gali, where my husband’s desire to treat family, friends and guests with wood-fire oven-cooked food eventually led to the creation of this delectable bread; amongst other enjoyable foods. My bread-making  journey involved experimentation, connecting with ancestral and modern techniques of fermentation, flour-milling, and flavor enhancement with seeds, nuts, and fruits. Beyond its nutritional value, bread serves as a link to shared stories and traditions, evoking memories of cherished places and loved ones.


The process:

This labor-intensive process takes approximately 48 hours. The loaves are fully hand-crafted, allowed to naturally proof over a significant length of time, and then baked in the wood-fire oven. The baking process is my husband’s area of expertise, given his experience! The ingredients used are as follows:

  • Our sourdough starter (a natural yeast) is approximately five years old, and is cultured and preserved at The Round House.

  • A small portion of this live, fermented mixture of flour and water – i.e., the starter – is added to the bread dough, to make it rise.

  • The wheat used is organically grown at our family farm in Muzaffargarh.

  • Whole grain flour with its naturally present nutrients, is freshly stone milled – unlike industrial flour which is unnaturally and chemically ‘enriched’ in nutrients.

  • Water is sourced from a natural spring located in Changla Gali.

The way forward:

As our sourdough production becomes more efficient, we are able to bake multiple loaves for our friends and extended family, as well as for others interested in sourcing healthy bread. However currently, this artisanal bread only allows for small batches to be baked, which are then delivered fresh to customers the same day. I am confident, that as Changla Sourdough grows, we will be able to expand our operations by involving more people from the local community. My motivation remains – teaching of skills, empowering others and making ‘easily-available, healthy bread’ the norm.

Baking bread will always remain our commonplace. Allowing us to rebuild lost connections, understand the world we live in, give meaning and appreciate the richness of our individual yet interdependent lives. ~ Ayeza Umar

What others are saying!

  • "You can taste the love and skill in every bite. The crust is crunchy, and the inside is soft and full of flavor. If you love bread, you gotta check them out"

    - Imran Siddique

  • "Scones from here are heavenly. They're not too sweet, and the texture is just right. Great with a cup of coffee."

    - Ayesha Hassan

  • "Their muffins are seriously addictive! I can't get enough of the chocolate ones. Perfect for a quick snack."

    - Ali Sarfaraz