My Sourdough Bread Adventures: A Wonderful new Passion

The event at the Cafe St. Honore was loads of fun and we served three courses accompanied by great bread. The room was filled with bakers, chefs, aficionados and hobbyists like me.

Several bakers shared their stories about how they got started and the author of Bread Matters, Andrew Whitley spoke about the importance of using good, natural and clean products in our bread ( he is on the top left).

Top right: Pam Brunton who spoke from a ladder and was so much fun, owns the Inver on Loch Fyne.  Bottom left: Neil Forbes from the lovely Cafe St. Honore.  Bottom right: Amena Nur who owns the Jeju’s Bakehouse.

Cafe St Honore is one of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh and I have been there on several occasions. 

I just have to share one of the images that was taken at the dinner and was published in www.sustain.org by Chris Young (realbreadcampaign.org) on June 18th, 2019. It was such a lovely evening. I am there in the middle somewhere. What a great evening.

In search of sourdough bread 

I love everything about sourdough. You can make so many types of breads, crackers and even pancakes.

I tried to teach myself how to bake sourdough and it was very painful so I signed up for classes at PanContigo in Badajoz when I lived in Elvas, Portugal.

Sourdough takes patience and commitment and tons of respect!  I have many up and downs with it- it’s a real relationship and right now we are taking a break (from baking) but I still research it and am always looking for a new bakery.

Sourdough bread in Edinburgh

Twelve Triangles

They have brownies, doughnuts and many other delicious pastries.

The Twelve Triangles bakery is known for its bread quality, coffee and sandwiches. They have a few bakeries in town, and I went to their coffee shop in Leith for a charcoal bread sandwich. Charcoal bread was the rave at the time, and I had to try it. The coffee shop is small and so cute. I know, I know, so cute does not describe anything. The bakery is brightly lit and has a few tables, so I was glad that I went off hours. I walked towards the window, but a young couple took the best table. I was a little upset until I saw their huge gorgeous dog- I don’t remember what it was- but it looked at me with puppy eyes, and my disappointment disappeared. I sat down at the second-best table. One that had enough natural light to photograph my meal.

I thought that the charcoal bread was interesting, but sadly I did not fall in love with it. I did fall in love with their whole wheat sourdough bread and pastries that I took home.

I went to their other bakery shop on Brunswick, where I tried the delicious croissants, different sourdough bread, and I bought their jam. I gained weight during this trip.

Archipelago Bakery

Archipelago is a charming small bakery in New Town in Edinburgh. I discovered it by chance during one of my trips to Edinburgh when I rented an apartment in that part of town. On my way to Stockbridge Market for breakfast, I passed by the bakery and stopped. I photographed it, wrote down the address, and made a note to visit. It looked promising, and I walked down the hill for a few more blocks and turned around. It was too tempting to pass it. There was a little table waiting for me. The bakery is small and has few tables, so I suggest that you go off hours. Something was coming out of the oven, and the place smelled delicious! I ordered my cappuccino, sourdough bread, butter, and jam. I was so happy that I changed my mind and had breakfast there.

Archipelago also bakes yeast and bread and serves a great bowl of soup that goes very well with all of their bread. Their veggie tarts and salads are also a must. I go there every time I am in Edinburgh.

I love going for breakfast here. Their bread is amazing and I feel at home. It’s cozy. Fantastic eggs and other baked goodies.

Eskmills

Portobello

Breadshare

My next bakery visit was to the Breadshare Community Bakery in Portobello. I made plans to have a sandwich at the bakery and then go for a lovely walk by sea all the way to Musselburgh to make up for the calories.

I could smell the bread baking as I walked into their small shop. I was excited to see all the shelves filled with cooling bread loaves in the back and could hardly wait to taste their sandwich. The baker welcomed me and told me that I was too late for lunch but could buy a loaf. After seeing my sad face, he said that he would make me a simple cheese sandwich and directed me towards the table by the window. It was simple and so tasty! On my way out, I bought a loaf, put it in my backpack, and started my walk. It was tough not to nibble on that sourdough while I was walking.

Sourdough in North Berwick

Bostock Bakery

Bostok Bakery will give you a great excuse to hop on the train to North Berwick. Their sourdough bread is super and I enjoyed their soups and sandwiches.

Isle of Arran

Blackwater Bakehouse

Amazing bread and you will love visiting Isle of Arran!

Sadly I have not been back to Scotland for many years and I am sure there are so many new amazing bakers!

Maybe I should do another trip with a theme to see what’s new in the sourdough world in Edinburgh and other gorgeous Scottish towns.

.

Updated March 2025