Walk into a supermarket and you’ll see loaves labelled “sourdough” everywhere. But are they really sourdough?
Many aren’t — they’re what the Real Bread Campaign calls sourfaux.
So how can you tell if it’s real sourdough bread or just a loaf dressed up with clever marketing? Here’s what to look for.
What Makes Real Sourdough Bread?
Authentic sourdough is made with just three ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
- Salt
The difference is in the process. Real sourdough is leavened using a live sourdough starter culture, not commercial yeast. The dough is left to ferment slowly, sometimes over 24 hours. This is what gives sourdough its depth of flavour, open crumb, chewy crust, and digestibility.
Signs of Real Sourdough vs Supermarket “Sourfaux”
1. The Ingredients List
Check the label. How to tell if sourdough is real? Look for just flour, water, salt, and starter. If you see baker’s yeast, preservatives, vinegar, or enzymes, it’s not authentic.
2. The Crust and Crumb
Real sourdough has a thick, blistered crust and an irregular, open crumb inside. Sourfaux tends to look uniform, with soft crusts and small, even bubbles.
3. The Flavour
Proper sourdough has layers of flavour: tangy, nutty, sometimes slightly sweet. Fake sourdough often tastes flat, with added vinegar to mimic sourness.
4. The Price and Provenance
If a loaf is very cheap and mass-produced, chances are it’s not made the traditional way. Authentic sourdough bread usually comes from artisan bakeries or your own kitchen.
Why It Matters
The Real Bread Campaign has long argued that supermarkets should not be allowed to mislabel “sourfaux” as sourdough. Real sourdough offers:
- Better digestibility thanks to natural fermentation
- More flavour complexity
- No additives or shortcuts
👉 Learn more about the campaign here: Real Bread Campaign – Say No to Sourdough Myths.
The Best Way to Be Sure: Bake It Yourself
If you want to be 100% certain you’re eating authentic sourdough, the best option is to bake it at home. That starts with a live, healthy starter.
At Sourdough by the Sea, we create handmade sourdough starter cultures that give you the foundation for real sourdough bread.
With our starters, you can:
- Bake bread with no additives or yeast
- Enjoy the flavour of traditional sourdough
- Be sure your loaf is genuine, not sourfaux
👉 Order your sourdough starter culture today and bake bread the authentic way.
Final Thoughts
So, how do you tell if it’s real sourdough?
- Check the ingredients: only flour, water, salt, and starter
- Look at the crust and crumb: irregular and rustic
- Taste the flavour: tangy and complex
- Know the source: artisan bakery or home-baked
If in doubt, bake it yourself. With a handmade sourdough starter culture, you’ll always know your bread is the real thing.
👉 Say no to sourfaux. Say yes to real sourdough.
