“Sourdough or whole wheat, which is better?” Many people search for this, but the two words are not really opposites. They describe different things. Here is a simple explanation, plus help choosing between our Signature and Whole Wheat sourdough.
Sourdough and whole wheat are not the same thing
- Sourdough is a way of making bread rise, using a natural starter and long fermentation (read What is sourdough?).
- Whole wheat is a type of flour, milled from the whole wheat grain including the bran and germ, unlike white flour, which uses only the inner part of the grain.
So one loaf can be both sourdough and whole wheat, like our Whole Wheat sourdough, which rises with a natural starter and is made with whole wheat flour. Most “whole wheat bread” sold in shops uses commercial yeast, so it is not sourdough.
Regular whole wheat bread vs whole wheat sourdough
| Regular whole wheat bread | Whole wheat sourdough | |
|---|---|---|
| How it rises | Commercial yeast | Natural starter, long fermentation |
| Flavour | Sweet, soft, mild | Rich wheat aroma with a gentle tang |
| Texture | Soft sandwich slices | Crisp crust, denser and chewy |
When buying whole wheat bread in shops, check the label. Some brands use mostly whole wheat flour, others only a portion.
Our Signature vs Whole Wheat
| Signature | Whole Wheat | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour | Classic, fragrant, not too strong | Richer wheat aroma, distinctive flavour |
| Texture | Soft and chewy, easy to eat | Denser, with more texture |
| Best for | New sourdough eaters, breakfast, sandwiches | Lovers of fuller flavour, with cheese, soup or olive oil |
| Size | Both 625 g, pre-sliced, halal, free delivery on every loaf | |
Which should you choose?
- New to sourdough, or buying for the whole family? Start with Signature. It is easy to enjoy and kids like it too.
- Love bread with a fuller flavour and more texture? Choose Whole Wheat.
- Can’t decide? Order one of each, freeze them, and compare at home. Bread keeps in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Once you have your bread, see what to eat with sourdough.
