Sourdough bread has become a staple in many households, but it can be quite expensive. I tried four supermarket own-brand loaves to see which was the best.
Sourdough bread has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to understand why. Typically made with fewer ingredients and additives than other white or wholemeal loaves, it’s an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods – not to mention, it’s delicious.
When sourdough springs to mind, I instantly think of Jason’s brand. I’ve been a devoted customer for some time, and it’s often the only brand I pick up from the supermarket shelves.
The price usually hovers between £2.15 and £2.50 for a loaf, which isn’t too steep, but I’m always on the hunt for ways to stretch my grocery budget. So, I set out to taste test four different supermarket own-brand sourdough loaves to see how they stack up against my cherished Jason’s.
I embarked on a trip to my local Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury’s in pursuit of sourdough, returning home with more bread than I could handle. Prices varied from a mere £1.75 to £2.44, which took me by surprise, particularly as the priciest loaf was one of the smallest.
With the toaster fired up and a generous dollop of Kerrygold at the ready in the butter dish, I sampled a slice from each loaf to see if any could rival the big brand name. I had a ciabattini from Jason’s already in my cupboard, so I made sure to include a slice of this in my comparison, reports the Express.
With the original loaf becoming increasingly hard to find in supermarkets, I was even more determined to discover a worthy alternative.
There was a clear underdog, but also an undeniable champion, more affordable than Jason’s, and it’s one I wouldn’t think twice about purchasing again.
Jason’s – £2.15
This is the bread that finds its way into my shopping basket most weeks since the original Jason’s seems to have vanished from the shelves. Nonetheless, it’s still rather tasty – it boasts that classic chewy sourdough texture, with a hint of extra flavour thanks to the way it’s made.
The slices are a tad smaller than your typical sourdough loaf, but they fit snugly in the toaster, so every cloud.
You also get a fair number of slices, and it freezes well too. The only downside is that it doesn’t make the best sandwiches, but for toast, it’s a sure-fire winner.
Score: 8/10
Asda – £2.44
This was the priciest loaf that I sampled, so you can imagine my surprise when I returned home and counted a mere eight slices in the entire pack.
The ‘exceptional’ range at Asda usually delivers quality worth the extra pennies – particularly the Greek yoghurt – so I had high expectations for the bread. Unfortunately, it was somewhat disappointing.
It lacked flavour, and the texture was overly dense. That said, the slices were large and soft, so it earns an additional point for that.
Score: 7/10
Aldi – £1.75
On par with Tesco, this loaf was the cheapest of the bunch.
To me, it just didn’t taste like sourdough at all. It lacked the chewy characteristic, it was overly dry, and the crust wasn’t nearly crispy enough for my palate.
I spotted a rye variant on the shelf, which I’ll have to pop back and sample. However, the white version didn’t quite hit the mark for me, and it’s unlikely I’d purchase it again.
Score: 5/10
Sainsbury’s – £1.95
Sainsbury’s isn’t my usual go-to shop, particularly as it’s a smaller high-street branch that I’ve always assumed to be pricier. But this loaf was surprisingly affordable, which was unexpected.
Taste-wise, it was quite impressive. It boasted a tangy flavour, was incredibly soft, and toasted up beautifully.
The downside was the thin slicing, with some slices being tiny and featuring large holes. Despite this, it ranked as my second favourite, and I’d definitely buy it again.
Score: 8/10
Tesco – £1.75
This one was the clear champion for me. The crust was spot-on, it had a delightful deep flavour with just the right hint of saltiness, and it tasted even better after a quick toast.
The slice size was ideal, and although there were only eight in a pack, I’d argue it was worth it. It loses a point for the number of holes in the bread – something the Jason’s loaf didn’t have, but overall, I preferred the taste of this one.
Plus, it was cheaper at £1.75 with a Clubcard – what’s not to like?
Rating: 9/10