diff --git a/src/humulus/couch.py b/src/humulus/couch.py
index e5212e0..aebbdcd 100644
--- a/src/humulus/couch.py
+++ b/src/humulus/couch.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import time
+from datetime import datetime
 import uuid
 
 import click
@@ -90,9 +90,22 @@ def put_doc(doc):
         # Use a UUID for name
         doc['_id'] = str(uuid.uuid4())
 
+    # Add a created timestamp
+    # Timestamps are written to couchdb in ISO-8601 format
+    doc['created'] = datetime.utcnow().isoformat()
+
     return db.create_document(doc, throw_on_exists=True)
 
 
+def update_doc(doc):
+    """Update a doc.
+
+    Adds an 'updated' field representing the current time the doc was updated.
+    """
+    doc['updated'] = datetime.utcnow().isoformat()
+    doc.save()
+
+
 def get_doc(id):
     """Gets a doc from CouchDB and returns it."""
     return get_db()[id]
diff --git a/src/humulus/recipes.py b/src/humulus/recipes.py
index 74bdd61..46f79db 100644
--- a/src/humulus/recipes.py
+++ b/src/humulus/recipes.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from wtforms import (Form, StringField, DecimalField, TextAreaField, FieldList,
                      FormField, SelectField)
 from wtforms.validators import DataRequired, Optional
 
-from humulus.couch import get_doc_or_404, put_doc
+from humulus.couch import get_doc_or_404, put_doc, update_doc
 
 bp = Blueprint('recipes', __name__, url_prefix='/recipes')
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def update(id):
         # Copy values from submitted form to the existing recipe and save
         for key, value in form.doc.items():
             recipe[key] = value
-        recipe.save()
+        update_doc(recipe)
 
         flash('Updated recipe: {}'.format(form.name.data), 'success')
         return redirect(url_for('recipes.info', id=id))
diff --git a/tests/test_couch.py b/tests/test_couch.py
index 10e9a8e..2a1ff55 100644
--- a/tests/test_couch.py
+++ b/tests/test_couch.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 import uuid
 
-from humulus.couch import get_doc, put_doc
+from humulus.couch import get_doc, put_doc, update_doc
 
 
 def test_put_doc(app):
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ def test_put_doc(app):
         data = {'foo': 'bar'}
         response = put_doc(data)
         assert '_id' in response
+        assert 'created' in response
 
         response = put_doc({'name': 'test'})
         assert response['_id'] == 'test'
@@ -33,6 +34,20 @@ def test_put_doc(app):
         assert response['_id'] == 'test-2'
 
 
+def test_update_doc(app):
+    with app.app_context():
+        doc = get_doc('awesome-lager')
+        rev = doc['_rev']
+        doc['test'] = 'update'
+        update_doc(doc)
+
+        updated_doc = get_doc('awesome-lager')
+    assert doc['_id'] == updated_doc['_id']
+    assert rev < updated_doc['_rev']
+    assert updated_doc['test'] == 'update'
+    assert 'updated' in updated_doc
+
+
 def test_build_couch_command(runner, monkeypatch):
     class Recorder(object):
         called = False