Supermarket sourdough is often sourfaux – here’s how to make the real thing (2024)

FAQs

Is supermarket sourdough real sourdough? ›

It may have been fermented for longer than standard bread but that does not make it a sourdough. A sourdough is a bread leavened with a sourdough culture, which comprises wild yeasts and lactobacilli bacteria.

The Science Behind the Sour Flavor in Sourdough Bread

This is done by using a ripe and active starter to mix into bread dough. The dough goes through a fermentation cycle until it is ready to rise and bake. A sourdough starter is made up of wild yeast and bacteria working together.

Supermarket sourdough is often sourfaux – here's how to make the real thing. Mass-produced sourdough has been found to be adulterated with everything from vinegar to commercial yeast. Why not bake your own?

For consumers concerned about artificial ingredients in food, Aldi's sourdough is a solid choice. Per the label, this bread consists of just three main ingredients, which are salt, water, and flour. It's also free of artificial flavoring, preservatives, and colors.

Always read the label.

Genuine sourdough bread is NOT made using additives, baker's yeast (usually listed simply as yeast) or chemical raising agents (eg baking powder). If there isn't a label (or you just fancy a chat) then... Ask the baker / salesperson for a copy of the ingredients list.

The type of flour used — all-purpose, whole wheat, rye — can affect the nutritional content of sourdough bread, says Wee. But generally speaking, sourdough bread is a healthy option and can be eaten regularly as part of a nutritious, balanced diet.

Not real sourdough

Real sourdough bread doesn't have yeast added in it like this one does.

In general, more minerals yield more sour taste. Using flours with more ash, or mineral, content, will yield more sour taste. If you can't get enough ash, adding a bit of whole wheat flour to your recipe, which is what is done with the 20% Bran Flour, will boost the sour of a bread.

For more tang: Incorporate some rye flour and/or whole wheat flour early in the bread-making process, such as when feeding the mother culture and the preferment. Rye flour in particular will help your culture produce some acetic acid.

Much like Panera's lackluster rewards program, Panera's sourdough is similarly disappointing -- it isn't real sourdough. Sourdough is the oldest enduring type of bread.

Did Trader Joe's stop selling sourdough? ›

Trader Joe's has discontinued their beloved San Francisco Sourdough bread, a staple in many households.

Springy texture, gently tangy, pleasantly chewy — Trader Joe's sourdough loaf remains a favorite among shoppers. The versatile sandwich bread is a blank canvas for grilled cheese enthusiasts and fancy toast creators. The soft bread holds up against soggy sandwich fillings and caramelizes evenly when exposed to heat.

White sourdough is healthier than white bread made with commercial yeast. But the healthiest sourdoughs are made with wholegrain flour, sourdough starter, water, and a little salt. Intact grains, herbs, spices, or nuts and seeds can also give the breads distinct flavors.

Includes Simple Ingredients: Real sourdough will only contain three ingredients; flour, water, and salt. On a label, this can include flour, water, salt, and “culture” or “starter” which refers to the natural leaven used to make the bread rise, however, the ingredients should not include anything else.

And if anything, Trader Joe's Sourdough Sliced Bread is above average for store-bought pre-sliced sourdough. It's got just the right amount of tang and sourness, and just the right amount of wheat and barley goodness.

Many store-bought “sourdough” breads use just a small amount of sourdough starter and throw that and other flavors in there to give the bread a sourdough taste — while the action of rising the bread is done with commercial yeast.

Our ACE Bakery® Sourdough Baguette is made using our signature sourdough recipe, which includes our handcrafted sour starter and a long fermentation period to create a baguette that has a subtle sour flavour, airy interior and a rich dark crust.