Sourdough or sourfaux?

[21TonyK]

Anyone else spot this?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50571461

I'm the first one to moan about poor bread from supermarkets but convinience often means compromise.

And, am I the only one who finds Lidls sourdough absolutely vile?

[Dermot O'Logical]

This was discussed on Radio 4 this morning.

"Every time somebody buys a fake sourdough loaf, a hipster dies..."

[21TonyK]

Dermot O'Logical said:

This was discussed on Radio 4 this morning.

"Every time somebody buys a fake sourdough loaf, a hipster dies..."

In which case I'm off to Lidl...

[Mobile Chicane]

There is some real ste being trotted out as 'sourdough'.

'Bertinet' (from Waitrose) is the real deal, everything else they sell - including under their own label - is carp.

I think Waitrose bread is one of the worst supermarket breads, especially for the price charged. Claggy and underbaked.

[karma mechanic]

Mobile Chicane said:

'Bertinet' (from Waitrose) is the real deal.

This afternoon I walked to the nearest Waitrose, purchased the Bertinet malted sourdough, and walked back, all based on your recommendation.

Dammit, I just had some, toasted, and I see you are right.
Up to now my fix was the Sainsbury's seeded Rye and Buckwheat Boule, but now the satisfaction is at another level. And it is already sliced...

Dammit, dammit...

[craig1912]

21TonyK said:

And, am I the only one who finds Lidls sourdough absolutely vile?

By the looks of it yes.

I personally think it’s OK

[cbmotorsport]

The best. If you're in London.

http://www.thesnaperybakery.com/home

[Mobile Chicane]

karma mechanic said:

This afternoon I walked to the nearest Waitrose, purchased the Bertinet malted sourdough, and walked back, all based on your recommendation.

Dammit, I just had some, toasted, and I see you are right.
Up to now my fix was the Sainsbury's seeded Rye and Buckwheat Boule, but now the satisfaction is at another level. And it is already sliced...

Dammit, dammit...

It does need to be toasted. But it is sublime.

I make a pate with Waitrose cream cheese, smoked mackerel, the zest of a lemon and the juice of half, with some chopped flat leaf parsley all mashed together, which is the perfect accompaniment.

[Hoofy]

What should sourdough bread be like?

[PorkInsider]

Mobile Chicane said:

There is some real ste being trotted out as 'sourdough'.

'Bertinet' (from Waitrose) is the real deal, everything else they sell - including under their own label - is carp.

I think Waitrose bread is one of the worst supermarket breads, especially for the price charged. Claggy and underbaked.

Completely agree about Waitrose Bertinet.

A few slices of that (the plain white one), even when just toasted and buttered is very hard to beat when it comes to bread.

As you say, some proper st out there purporting to be 'sourdough'.

[PorkInsider]

Hoofy said:

What should sourdough bread be like?

Sour. And very basic, in my opinion.

Flour, sea salt, water. Done.

[Hoofy]

PorkInsider said:

Hoofy said:

What should sourdough bread be like?

Sour. And very basic, in my opinion.

Flour, sea salt, water. Done.

Texture?

[Hanglow]

Depends on the bread, San Francisco sourdough is usually really sour. Most are perhaps a touch sour to taste but only really if you look for it. There are countless types of sourdough, the Germans are probably traditionally the best at it. They have hundreds of regional breads.

If done properly they are much more substantial and tastier to eat than what we normally get, yet easier to digest

I've also found waitrose bread to be really poor, even ASDA have a better bakery

Still a sucker for warburtons toastie or glasgow morning rolls for bacon butties and mothers pride for toast though chorleywood process has its place

[hyphen]

Waitrose also sell other brands in their bakery such as Gail's. Are they any good?

[PorkInsider]

Hoofy said:

PorkInsider said:

Hoofy said:

What should sourdough bread be like?

Sour. And very basic, in my opinion.

Flour, sea salt, water. Done.

Texture?

Light in terms of 'bubbly' interior, for me, but its always pretty heavy I suppose if made properly.

I really would recommend trying the Bertinet from Waitrose - or you can get it from Ocado if no Waitrose near you - that MC recommended.

[Zirconia]

Now the BBC report on to it? It has been an issue for some years. Started to make my own but the crusty finish didn't sit well with some recent teeth work (the bread wasn't the reason). Sainsbury or Lidl for me were about the best.

[Hoofy]

PorkInsider said:

Hoofy said:

PorkInsider said:

Hoofy said:

What should sourdough bread be like?

Sour. And very basic, in my opinion.

Flour, sea salt, water. Done.

Texture?

Light in terms of 'bubbly' interior, for me, but its always pretty heavy I suppose if made properly.

I really would recommend trying the Bertinet from Waitrose - or you can get it from Ocado if no Waitrose near you - that MC recommended.

[Matt_N]

Bertinet is sold by Waitrose but it’s not made or baked in store by them.

It’s all made and baked at the Bertinet bakeries, massive success story going from a small pop up bakery in Bath to setting up factories and supplying all over the country now.

[Mobile Chicane]

hyphen said:

Waitrose also sell other brands in their bakery such as Gail's. Are they any good?

Gail's is very good. My local Waitrose doesn't sell it though. It's only branches within a specific radius of London I think.

If in London, the Poilâne bakery is the ultimate.

[Big Nanas]

Hanglow said:

I've also found waitrose bread to be really poor, even ASDA have a better bakery

I suspect that depends where you are. My local ASDA's bakery is an absolute joke. Twice we've bought bloomer loaves and they've been literally wet underneath. Disgusting.
My local Waitrose have restarted doing a lovely small poppyseed bloomer, and that's definitely properly baked - however I do agree that many other loaves aren't.
The Waitrose SanFran sourdough seems decent, but I've not tried the one recommended here, so I'll get one and report back.
Quick question, it doesn't go rock hard when toasted, does it?