Sourdough has firmly cemented its presence since it was all the rage back in 2020. And it’s popular for good reason: it has myriad health benefits, a delicious and satisfying crunch, and a distinctive, tangy flavour that pairs well with almost every dish. Do you find yourself reaching for a loaf of sourdough bread in the shops, but aren’t sure if you’re getting the real deal?
Since sourdough has such a lengthy process, another category of bread has emerged – known as fake or faux sourdough, commonly referred to as ‘sourfaux’. And although this bread might have similarities to the real deal, it differs in several important ways. We break down the differences and highlight what you need to know when shopping for sourdough bread, so you can always buy the genuine thing.
O.G. Sourdough 101
True sourdough is made with only 3 ingredients: flour, water and salt.
Flour and water are combined to create the starter, or levain, which, when mixed, wild and naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria from the air combine with the water and flour. Here, they feed on the flour, growing and multiplying, producing CO2 gas and lactic acid as a result. This gas is what makes the bread dough rise so beautifully in the oven, while the lactic acid gives the bread its signature fermented and acidic taste.
When this starter has been fed enough times and is bubbly, it’s added to another, bigger batch of flour, water, and salt – i.e. the bread dough. This is then kneaded, folded, shaped, and set in the fridge to ‘cold ferment’ overnight (usually for 8 to 12 hours, or more). Finally, it’s baked in a super-hot oven. That’s it.
Other than different types or blends of flours and varieties of salt, the only other types of ingredients that can be added to sourdough are extra flavours: think cheddar cheese and jalapeno, or a medley of olives, kimchi, or even chocolate. No preservatives or additives.
Faux Sourdough 101
Unfortunately, in many countries, ‘sourdough’ labels are general and don’t always have a set or even legal definition – so you’ll find that some companies label their breads as ‘sourdough’, but when you take a look at the ingredients list, there’s a lot more on the label than three main ingredients.
These breads may contain a sourdough starter, but also contain commercial yeast to help speed up the whole process (since sourdough takes 24 to 48 hours to make). Or (which we think is worse), the bread is only leavened with commercial yeast and has sour ingredients, like yoghurt or vinegar, to give it a sourdough-like taste.
To make things easier for your next shop, here’s a definitive list of ingredients that signal it’s fake, and not the real thing:
- Commercial or baker’s yeast, including baking powder
- Sugars
- Barley malt
- Tangy additions, like yoghurt, vinegar
- Additives, like sourdough flavouring or colouring
- Preservatives
The next time you’re shopping for the real deal, make sure to read the label or ask the staff, and if it has more than flour, water, salt, and maybe a few other flavourings, that bread ain’t it!
Also See: The potential health benefits of sourdough bread
