Once you try sourdough, there's simply no going back. That distinctive tangy flavour and satisfying chewy texture is utterly unmatched, and it's now become an essential part of my diet.
Jason's is likely the brand most shoppers associate with sourdough. I've been a dedicated customer for years, especially the ciabattin variant, as it's ideally sized for toasting.
A loaf typically costs between £2.15 and £2.50, which seems reasonable enough, but as someone constantly looking to stretch their grocery budget further, I decided to test four supermarket own-brand sourdough loaves to see how they compare against my beloved Jason's.
I visited Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury's hunting for sourdough. Prices varied from just £1.75 to £2.44, which was interesting, especially as the most expensive loaf was one of the smallest.
With the toaster warmed up and a slab of Kerrygold butter at the ready, I tried a slice of each to see if any could compete with the famous brand. Having already got a ciabattin from Jason's stored in my cupboard, I made sure I included a slice in my tasting trial.
Finding the original loaf in supermarkets is sometimes challenging, which only made me more determined to find a worthy alternative. There was an obvious disappointment, but there was also a clear winner - less expensive than Jason's - and one I'd happily purchase again without hesitation.
Jason's Ciabattin - £2.15
This is the loaf I purchase most weeks and I'm really fond of it - it delivers that chewy sourdough consistency with an added depth of flavour due to its distinctive preparation technique. The slices are smaller than those found in a conventional sourdough loaf but they fit into the toaster perfectly.
You also get a good number of slices, and it freezes well. My only complaint is that it doesn't perform particularly well for sandwiches - but for toast, it's difficult to criticise.
Score: 8/10
Asda Exceptional Sourdough - £2.44
This was the priciest loaf of the selection, which made it all the more surprising when I arrived home and found just eight slices in the whole packet.
Asda's 'exceptional' range is typically good and justifies the slightly higher price point - the Greek yoghurt especially - so my expectations were high. Unfortunately, it fell short.
The taste was underwhelming, and the consistency was quite dense. That being said, the slices were generously proportioned and nice and soft, which secured it an additional point.
Score: 7/10
Aldi Sourdough - £1.75
This loaf simply didn't taste like sourdough to me. It didn't have any chewiness whatsoever, it was very dry, and the crust wasn't as crisp as you would hope.
I spotted a rye variant on the shelf, so I'll need to go back and try that one. But the white variant failed to impress me, and I doubt I'd purchase it again.
Score: 5/10
Sainsbury's Sourdough - £1.95
Sainsbury's isn't a shop I visit often, particularly as my local one is a smaller high-street branch which I expected would be expensive. However, this loaf was very decently priced.
In terms of the taste, it was superb. It had a zesty flavour, was remarkably soft, and toasted wonderfully.
That said, the slices were quite thinly sliced and some of the smaller pieces were tiny, with fairly significant holes too. Despite this, it secured second place for me, and I'd definitely buy it again.
Score: 8/10
Tesco Finest Sourdough - £1.50
This loaf was the clear winner for me. The crust was spot on, it offered a lovely rich taste with exactly the right amount of saltiness, and it was even better after toasting.
The slices were ideally sized, and while there are only eight in a pack, I'd argue it was worth the money. It loses a point for the number of holes in the bread - something that Jason's didn't have, but I believe I preferred the overall taste of this loaf.
The packaging has changed slightly since the time of writing but it's the Tesco Finest variety you're looking for, and it's currently just £1.50 with a Clubcard or £2 without.
Score: 9/10
In summary, Tesco's sourdough emerged as the best value and flavor, beating even Jason's. Aldi's was the biggest disappointment, while Sainsbury's and Jason's tied for second place. Asda's expensive loaf didn't live up to its price.
