Boudin Bakery 'mother dough' dating claim

Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf markets a sourdough starter it says traces back to 1849, and the starter is used in its sourdough loaves sold at the flagship location. The company's claim about the starter's age and continuous use is a longstanding element of San Francisco culinary lore and is widely cited in regional histories and tourist materials. The origin and continuity of sourdough starters can be complex, so the company's claim is part of promotional history and local tradition rather than independently verified microbiological continuity.