Sourdough is a simple pleasure. A perfect loaf should have a chewy, light, tangy, and springy crumb. It’s best enjoyed toasted, with a thick layer of jam, a generous slab of butter, or simply as a base for a sandwich. It reminds me of home, where my family always keeps a loaf in the cupboard. On cold days it’s a reliable and simple comfort – the kind that makes Hilary term feel a little less bleak. Here is the definitive ranking for next time you require some carbs to help you meet your essay deadline. For this ranking, assume a white or wholemeal loaf unless otherwise stated.
8. Tesco
Tesco’s sourdough is exactly what you’d imagine. Promisingly, their white loaves have a slightly golden crust. However, the loaf itself is disappointing and lacks the distinctive tangy taste of a good sourdough. The small amount of bubbles suggest that the dough would benefit from further fermentation. However, for just £2.10, you get what you pay for.
7. Sainsburys
Sainsbury’s sourdough loaf is broadly comparable to Tesco’s. Both loaves also usually become hard within a day or two. On the other hand, loaves that are slow-fermented do not go stale as quickly as the natural acids produced help the bread to maintain moisture. I ranked Sainsbury’s above Tesco for two principal reasons: it offers a wider variety of loaves and also sells a sourdough baguette, which is of notable quality.
6. Jericho Cheese Company
This bread is good. It has a delicious crunch, and there are two locations to get your bread fix: Turl Street and Little Clarendon. However, due to its prohibitive price, it ranks sixth: a standard loaf will set you back £6.75. If I were to eat this bread regularly, I would be left unable to pay my battels. So, enjoy this one sparingly.
5. M&S
In my view, their ‘Signature Sourdough’ is the best loaf currently offered in a supermarket. With its lovely crust and substantial size, there is also the added bonus that they offer to cut the loaf for you in store. The crumb itself has a slightly savoury taste that would combine excellently with olives or cheese. These loaves also last quite a long time if stored well. A solid loaf, certainly, but far from the best best M&S has to offer.
4. Ole and Steen
Ole and Steen offers Danish bread and is the only non-English feature on this list. They have a few different options. My favourite is the Copenhagen sourdough which is crispy on the outside. However, they also offer an excellent Rye loaf and a selection of rolls. If that wasn’t enough, they also offer great deals: if you use the app, there is usually an offer of the week, which allows you to buy a loaf for up to 50% off.
3. Barefoot, Jericho
Barefoot has excellent surroundings and multiple locations. If you visit the branch on North Parade Avenue, you can see the bakers at work making the next day’s loaves (as well as delicious cakes and pastries). The bread itself is soft, with a noticeable fermented taste. The only drawback is its density, though the designs on the loaves are some of the most creative I’ve seen, with their signature B the most common. Watch out for the pumpkin-inspired loaves during Halloween!
2. Gails
The crumb is much lighter than many other loaves on the list, hence why I’ve awarded Gails second place.
Gails’ signature loaf has a soft, off-white crumb generously aerated with bubbles. Loaves are replaced daily and you can choose your preferred loaf and have it uniformly sliced –– a small but significant convenience for Oxford students, who often lack a kitchen or a reliable knife. I would particularly recommend their seeded loaf, which has a distinctive sesame flavour, and is unlike any other loaf I have tried. This bread has a satisfying bite on the outside, and internally is both moreish and satisfying.
1. Hamblin, Covered Market
I had heard great things about Hamblin, and their signature ‘country loaf’ did not disappoint. I was initially sceptical of the dark – frankly rather burnt – looking crust. However, once I tasted it, I quickly realised I’d been missing out on the delights of this bread for nearly half of my degree. With generous helpings of jam, this is hard to beat. If you can’t make it to their store in The Covered Market, there are also a few shops around Oxford that stock Hamblin loaves. If you don’t fancy committing to a whole loaf, 2 North Parade offers half for only £2.50. I would urge anyone who is curious about sourdough to try this loaf.
So, perhaps you disagree with my ranking. Be my guest – sourdough, like most comforts, can be deeply personal. I have yet to actually make a loaf of sourdough myself, but I do know that this ranking proves that Oxford is blessed with exceptionally good bread. Though my purse is significantly lighter, and, like the dough, my standards have risen, I’d argue that it has been a worthwhile investment: now I can claim (tentatively) to have found the best sourdough in Oxford. Â
