Sourdough September 2025: Celebrating Bread, Community, and Craft

Every September, bakeries, food lovers, and home bakers across the UK and beyond come together to celebrate Sourdough September, a nationwide movement designed to champion the art of real bread made with natural fermentation. In 2025, the celebration is bigger than ever, with more workshops, events, and community activities planned to inspire people to reconnect with the simplest of foods: bread made without additives, preservatives, or shortcuts.

If you’re curious about sourdough, eager to sharpen your baking skills, or simply want to enjoy great bread, Sourdough September 2025 offers the perfect opportunity.

What Is Sourdough September?

Launched by the Real Bread Campaign in 2013, Sourdough September is an annual month-long event dedicated to promoting sourdough bread and real breadmaking. Unlike commercial loaves made with fast-acting yeast and additives, sourdough uses a live starter culture of flour and water. This natural fermentation process gives sourdough its distinctive tang, texture, and nutritional benefits.

The event encourages people to:

• Support local independent bakeries.

• Learn how to make sourdough bread at home.

• Raise awareness of the health and environmental benefits of real bread.

• Build a community of bakers and bread lovers.

Why Sourdough? The Benefits of Real Bread

Sourdough isn’t just about flavour; it also carries real nutritional and lifestyle benefits that explain its rising popularity:

1. Digestibility – The long fermentation process breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making sourdough easier on the stomach compared to standard supermarket bread.

2. Natural Ingredients – Real sourdough uses only flour, water, salt, and a starter—no additives or preservatives.

3. Lower Glycaemic Index – The slow fermentation reduces sugar spikes, making it a healthier option for blood sugar control.

4. Rich in Flavour – Every sourdough loaf has unique character, depth, and tang thanks to the wild yeasts in the starter.

5. Sustainability – Supporting small bakeries reduces reliance on mass-produced industrial loaves, helping local economies thrive.

Sourdough September 2025: What’s Happening?

This year, Sourdough September includes a packed programme of activities across the UK. From London to Newcastle, Edinburgh to Cardiff, independent bakeries, cafes, and community kitchens are opening their doors with tastings, talks, and hands-on baking sessions.

Highlights include:

• Workshops for Beginners – Learn how to make and maintain your first sourdough starter, mix your dough, and master the basics of shaping and baking.

• Masterclasses with Professional Bakers – Artisan bakers will be sharing advanced skills, from rye loaves to seeded sourdoughs.

• Tasting Events – Discover the flavour diversity of sourdough with tasting boards featuring breads made with heritage grains, spelt, and rye.

• Community Bakes – Local community groups and schools are running “big bakes” to bring people together over bread.

• Online Tutorials & Challenges – For those unable to attend in person, virtual workshops and challenges on social media platforms will allow people worldwide to take part.

How to Get Involved in Sourdough September 2025

You don’t need to be a professional baker to enjoy Sourdough September. Here are some ways to get involved:

1. Buy Real Sourdough from Local Bakeries

Support independent bakers in your community by purchasing freshly baked sourdough loaves. Look out for bakeries participating in the Real Bread Campaign’s Sourdough September activities.

2. Start Your Own Starter

Making a sourdough starter is simple. All you need is flour and water. With a little care, it becomes a living culture that you can use for years.

3. Share Your Creations Online

The campaign encourages participants to share their sourdough creations on social media using the hashtag #SourdoughSeptember. Whether it’s your first rustic loaf or an intricate decorative sourdough, your posts can inspire others.

4. Join a Baking Workshop

Check for local events at community centres, food festivals, or bakeries. These workshops are ideal for learning practical techniques and making new connections.

5. Educate Yourself and Others

Part of Sourdough September is about understanding what “real bread” means. Talk to friends and family about why sourdough is different from supermarket loaves and why supporting local bakers matters.

The Rise of Sourdough in the UK

The popularity of sourdough has grown steadily over the past decade, with more bakeries and cafes highlighting it on their menus. Supermarkets have even launched their own versions, although the Real Bread Campaign warns that not all “sourdough” labels represent authentic, naturally fermented bread.

In the UK, cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh now have thriving sourdough scenes, but even smaller towns and villages are embracing the movement. Sourdough September 2025 reflects this nationwide enthusiasm, with events planned in almost every region.

Health and Wellness Focus for 2025

A key theme for Sourdough September 2025 is wellness. As more people seek alternatives to ultra-processed foods, sourdough is celebrated as a wholesome, minimally processed option. Nutritionists are highlighting how sourdough can play a role in balanced diets, while food educators are working with schools to introduce children to breadmaking as a life skill.

Workshops this year place a strong emphasis on:

• Gut health and fermentation.

• The role of heritage grains in nutrition.

• Mindfulness in baking.

Sourdough and Sustainability

Breadmaking is not just about food; it’s also about sustainability. Sourdough promotes:

• Use of locally grown grains – Supporting British farmers and reducing food miles.

• Small-scale baking – Encouraging a move away from industrial mass production.

• Waste reduction – Many workshops also teach creative uses for stale sourdough, such as croutons, breadcrumbs, or bread pudding.

Sourdough September 2025 is therefore not only a celebration of flavour but also a step towards more sustainable eating habits.

Tips for First-Time Sourdough Bakers

If you’re inspired to try baking at home, here are a few quick tips:

1. Be Patient – Sourdough takes time; the long fermentation is part of what makes it special.

2. Use Good Flour – Opt for high-quality organic or stone-ground flour.

3. Don’t Fear Mistakes – Every loaf teaches you something new. Even imperfect loaves taste great toasted.

4. Hydration Matters – Adjust water carefully to achieve the texture you like.

5. Keep Practising – The more you bake, the more intuitive sourdough becomes.

Why Sourdough September 2025 Matters

Events like Sourdough September remind us that bread is more than just a staple—it’s culture, craft, and community. By participating, you’re:

• Supporting independent bakers.

• Learning a valuable skill.

• Enjoying food that is healthier and more sustainable.

• Taking part in a global movement towards better eating.

In 2025, the campaign is set to reach more people than ever before, inspiring new generations of bakers and bread lovers.

Conclusion

Sourdough September 2025 is more than a food festival; it’s a call to action. It invites us to slow down, appreciate real food, and build stronger connections within our communities. Whether you’re baking your first loaf at home, visiting a local bakery, or joining a nationwide event, this is your chance to be part of a movement that values health, craft, and sustainability.

So, dust off your mixing bowl, feed your starter, and get ready to celebrate the joy of sourdough this September. Because bread is not just food—it’s a way of bringing people together.