In different surveys conducted by Which?, a group of blindfolded tasters ranked the supermarket-own labels and branded products based on four factors, with the final results shocking shoppers.
Swapping popular big-brand products for cheaper supermarket own-label products can not only save you a lot of money over time, but sometimes, these products taste better than the pricey ones.
In a few blind-taste surveys conducted by Which?, products like butter to ketchup got ranked by a group of tasters based on appearance (20%), aroma (15%), texture (15%), and, most importantly, the flavour (50%). Each product was given in a random order, so the panel didn’t know what brand they were trying until the end.
If you’re looking to save some pennies whilst still getting the most unbeatable flavours, we’ve gathered a list of some grocery essentials that have been highly rated for their taste but cost less money.
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Supermarket labels vs Branded labels
When it comes to butter, you’d be surprised to find out that it’s not Lurpak, Danpak or the iconic Président. After a total of 67 people blind-tasted which butter was the best out of all of them, it was revealed that Nordpark’s Slightly Salted butter was the best product when it came to price and taste.
Found in Aldi, the best thing about it is that it costs less than half of Lurpak. Shoppers can get their hands on the product for £2.18 for a 500g can.
Baked beans are a staple in British culture and a must-have in dishes such as the iconic English Breakfast. After 66 blindfolded tasters compared the big brands to the smaller brands, the results revealed that Heinz’s famous Baked Beans were beaten by Aldi’s Bramwells Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce.
At 41p for a 410g can, Aldi’s baked beans are top in quality and price. If you purchase two tins a week, switching from Heinz’s brand to Aldi’s baked beans can save you over £100 a year.
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the UK, with the average Brit drinking two to three cups of tea a day. After comparing a total of 12 brands, supermarket-label and branded ones, Asda ’s Everyday Tea Bags took the lead, beating the well-known PG Tips.
Scoring high points for smell, appearance, and colour, Asda’s Everyday Tea Bags cost £1.20 for 80 bags.
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Cottage pie is also a very popular dish, especially as a classic family comfort food. In the search of wanting to find the best cottage pie, the final results concluded that Aldi’s Specially Selected Gastro Cottage Pie was the top contestant, tasting better and costing less than Charlie Bigham’s Cottage Pie.
Although it does seem to cost quite a lot of money, priced at £3.59 for 400g, the quantity and quality of the product make it so worth it.
Looking for a quick snack? The go-to sweet chilli crisps seem to be Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps, however, you’d be surprised to know that there’s a better and much cheaper option.
Tesco’s Finest Thai Inspired Sweet Chilli Crisps impressed with both flavour and texture, and the best thing is that they cost less than half the price. Shoppers can fulfil their cravings for £1.15 for a 150g bag.
Roast potatoes are a must-have for a Sunday Roast and also work well as a side dish. Instead of making them from scratch, it’s good to have some frozen ones for whenever you’re in a rush.
Brands like McCain’s Frozen Triple Cooked Roast Potatoes are the most popular. However, Aldi’s Specially Selected Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes took the lead by far, scoring high points for flavour and crispy texture. They also cost £2.59 for 1kg, which is a bargain!
If you’re looking to stock up on some veggie burgers, there’s no need to spend money on bigger brands like Birds Eye. Aldi’s Plant Menu Vegetable Burgers and Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneer Vegetable Quarter Pounders taste just as good (and even better), and they’re way cheaper.
Both cost £1.69 for 454g, making them a good choice for shoppers looking for a flavoursome plant-based burger that isn’t necessarily expensive.
The warm weather is making us all crave some ice cream! Cornetto’s are a go-to and freezer favourite, but it was found that a supermarket-own brand beat the flavour and, of course, the price.
Lidl’s Bon Gelati Ice Cream Cones, costing £1.99 for six 120ml ice creams—which is 33p per cone—became the top favourite ice cream for its sweetness and creaminess. Shockingly, Cornetto became the least favourite brand during the blindfolded taste test.