Sourdough bread is a great alternative to white or wholemeal bread, and it’s also a great option for those who are trying to reduce their ultra-processed food intake. So I decided to find out which supermarket version tasted 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 if you’re aiming to reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods — and it’s delicious too.
When sourdough bread comes to mind, I immediately 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.
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 food shopping budget. So, I decided to taste test four different supermarket own-brand sourdough loaves to see how they stacked up against my cherished Jason’s.
I ventured to my local Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury’s in pursuit of sourdough, and returned home with more bread than I knew what to do with. Prices varied from a £1.75 to £2.44, which took me aback, particularly since the priciest loaf was one of the smallest.
Warming up the toaster and ensuring I had a generous portion of Kerrygold at the ready in the butter dish, I sampled a slice of each to see if any could rival the big brand name. I already had a ciabattini from Jason’s in my cupboard, so I made sure to try a slice of this as well for good measure, reports the Express.
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to locate the original loaf in any supermarket, which made me even more determined to find a worthy alternative.
There was a clear underperformer, but there was also a definite standout, cheaper than Jason’s, and it’s one I wouldn’t think twice about purchasing again.
Jason’s Ciabattini – £2.15
This is the bread that I pick up most weeks as the original Jason’s seems to be a rare find these days. However, it’s still very tasty. It has that classic chewy sourdough texture, but with a bit of added flavour due to its preparation method.
The slices are a bit smaller than a traditional sourdough loaf would be, but they fit in the toaster just right, so there’s a silver lining.
You also get a fair number of slices, and it freezes well too. The only thing I’m not overly keen on is that it’s not ideal for sandwiches, but for toast, you really can’t go wrong.
Score: 8/10
Asda – £2.44
This was the priciest loaf that I tried, so you can imagine my surprise when I got home and counted merely eight slices in the entire pack.
The ‘exceptional’ range at Asda is usually quite good and worth the extra money — especially the Greek yoghurt — so I had high expectations for the bread. But sadly, it was a bit of a letdown.
It was somewhat bland, and the texture was very dense. That being said, the slices were large and soft, so it gets an additional point for that.
Score: 7/10
Aldi – £1.75
Tied with Tesco, this loaf was the cheapest of the bunch.
It simply didn’t taste like sourdough to me at all. There was no chewy element, it was very dry, and the crust was nowhere near crispy enough for my liking.
I spotted a rye variant on the shelf, so I’ll have to pop back and give that a whirl. However, the white version didn’t impress me very much and I doubt I’d purchase it again.
Score: 5/10
Sainsbury’s – £1.95
Sainsbury’s isn’t a shop I visit very often, especially since my local is a small high-street branch, which I assumed would be pricier. However, this loaf was quite reasonably priced, which took me by surprise.
As for the taste, it was quite impressive. It had a tangy flavour, was incredibly soft, and toasted up nicely.
However, the slices were cut very thin, with some of the smaller pieces being really tiny, and there were quite a few large holes too. Despite this, it ended up being my second favourite, and I’d certainly buy it again.
Score: 8/10
Tesco – £1.75
This one was the clear winner for me. The crust was spot on, it boasted a lovely deep flavour that was just the right level of salty, and it tasted even better after a quick toast.
The slices were an ideal size, and although you only get eight in a pack, I’d say it was worth it. It loses a point for the number of holes in the bread — something that Jason’s didn’t have, but I think I preferred the overall taste of this loaf.
Plus, it was cheaper too, costing £1.75 with a Clubcard – what’s not to like?
Rating: 9/10