There’s something profoundly satisfying about baking bread. The process of turning flour, water, and salt into a warm, crusty loaf feels almost magical. But nothing compares to the thrill of harnessing and sustaining a sourdough starter, a simple mixture of flour and water, that develops in taste and complexity as you dutifully tend and nurture it through perpetual iterations.
It’s a reminder that good things take time, and that the simplest ingredients can yield the most profound satisfaction.
Meet our sourdough mother
Our sourdough starter began life nearly three decades ago, and her lineage has spawned more than one million loaves. To keep her at her peak, we lovingly feed her twice a day, ensuring each batch of bread is as robust and delicious as the last.
In a fast-paced world of convenience and instant gratification, sourdough stands in defiance. It takes time for the natural yeasts to rise, time for the dough to ferment, and time for the flavour to develop. A traditional white, shop-bought loaf, packed with additives and enhancers, is prepped and finished in less than three hours. Our artisan sourdough loaves, by contrast, undergo a much slower process: from feeding the starter, to bulk fermentation, to proofing, every step is done with care, resulting in a bread that embodies time and craftsmanship.
This extended fermentation not only creates the characteristic tangy, complex flavour of sourdough, but also makes the bread more digestible and nutrient-rich. The long fermentation process breaks down gluten, making the bread easier to digest and suitable for people with mild gluten sensitivities. It also reduces the glycemic index of the bread, meaning it has less of an impact on blood sugar levels. The lactic acid bacteria in sourdough increase the bioavailability of nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and iron, making them easier for the body to absorb.
Whether slathered with butter, dipped in olive oil, or turned into a gourmet sandwich, every slice offers a taste experience that’s rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
Bake your own at home
Want to have a go at making your own sourdough? In celebration of 'Sourdough September', the national campaign by the Real Bread Society to get people to embrace the benefits of genuine slow-fermentation bread, for the rest of this month we are giving away pots of our sourdough starter and instructions on how to tend it. Just pop into your local shop in Brighton, Hove, or Broadwater and ignite a new passion!
Get your starter pot here! (limited offer - available until the 30th of September).
Prefer to just pop in and pick up a freshly-based loaf of wheat, seeded, stoneground or rye sourdough? You can pre order here and we will have it ready and waiting for you.
Have we found your new favourite?
We are always on the hunt for delicious produce to complement our breads, pastries, and cakes and are passionate supporters of other local, artisan producers. From this month, you will find an even broader range of hand-picked delights in our shops.
As part of the Sussex Six initiative, promoting local, ethical, and sustainable food and drink businesses, we are bringing you the very best that Sussex has to offer. From raw honey to handcrafted jams and spicy sauces, there’s something new and exciting to discover. Stop by and taste the Sussex countryside in every bite!
