I put four supermarket sourdough loaves to the test to see if any could live up to my beloved Jason’s – and one came out as a clear winner, for less money
I tested a range of different supermarket sourdough breads(Image: Nicola Roy)
Once you start eating sourdough, there’s just no going back. That distinctive sharp flavour and satisfying chewiness is hard to beat, and it’s now become an essential part of my daily diet.
Jason’s is likely the name that springs to mind for most when discussing sourdough. I’ve been a dedicated customer for years, especially the ciabattin variety, as it’s the perfect size for toasting.
A loaf typically retails between £2.15 and £2.50, which seems fairly reasonable, but as somebody who is always looking to stretch their grocery budget further, I decided to test four supermarket own-label sourdough loaves to determine how they compare against my treasured Jason’s.
I visited Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Sainsbury’s on my sourdough quest. Costs varied from £1.50 to £2.44, which was quite revealing, particularly since the most expensive option was one of the smallest in size.
Armed with my toaster and a substantial portion of Kerrygold butter, I tried a slice of each to see whether any could compete with the renowned brand. Already having a ciabattin from Jason’s in my kitchen cupboard, I made sure to include a slice in my taste test.
Finding the original loaf in supermarkets is sometimes hard, making it all the more important to find a decent alternative. While there was an obvious disappointment, there was a clear champion – more affordable than Jason’s – and one I’d happily purchase again.
Jason’s is a popular brand for a reason(Image: Nicola Roy)
Jason’s Ciabattin – £2.15
This is the loaf I find myself picking up most weeks and it rarely disappoints — it boasts that quintessential chewy sourdough texture with an added depth of flavour courtesy of its distinctive preparation process. The slices are smaller in size compared to those you’d find in a conventional sourdough, but they fit into the toaster with ease.
You also get a generous number of slices, and it freezes exceptionally well. My only complaint is that it isn’t particularly well-suited to sandwiches — but for toast, it’s perfect.
Score: 8/10
Asda – £2.44
The Asda Exceptional sourdough fell a bit flat(Image: Nicola Roy)
This was the priciest loaf of the selection, which made it all the more surprising when I arrived home to find just eight slices in the whole packet.
Asda’s ‘exceptional’ range is normally dependable and justifies the steeper price point — the Greek yoghurt in particular — so my hopes were high. Sadly, it fell short.
The flavour was underwhelming, and the texture was very dense. That said, the slices were a decent size and very soft, which gave it a bonus point.
Score: 7/10
The Aldi sourdough was my least favourite(Image: Nicola Roy)
Aldi – £1.75
This loaf simply didn’t taste like sourdough to me. It was entirely lacking chewiness, noticeably dry, and the crust lacked the crispiness you’d expect.
I spotted a rye alternative on the shelf, so I’ll have to return and give that a go. However, the white version left me underwhelmed, and I’d be unlikely to purchase it again.
Score: 5/10
Sainsbury’s sourdough was cheaper than I expected(Image: Nicola Roy)
Sainsbury’s – £1.95
Sainsbury’s isn’t a shop I visit often, particularly as it’s a small high-street branch which I presumed would carry higher prices. However, this loaf was extremely well priced.
When it comes to 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 minuscule, with fairly significant air pockets too. Despite this, it ranked as my runner-up option, and I’d certainly buy it again.
Score: 8/10
Tesco’s sourdough loaf was the winner for me(Image: Nicola Roy)
Tesco – £1.50
This loaf was the clear champion for me. The crust was ideal, it offered a gorgeous rich taste with exactly the right amount of saltiness, and it was even more delicious after toasting.
The slices were ideally sized, and while there are only eight in a packet, I’d argue it was worthwhile. 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.
