In a festive showdown that will delight budget-conscious shoppers, a comprehensive taste test of supermarket mince pies has revealed a clear winner. The review, which compared offerings from seven major UK retailers and the popular Mr Kipling brand, placed a surprising champion at the top of the tree.
The Surprising Champion
The top honours went to Lidl's Mince Pies, which scored a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Priced at just £1.25 for a pack of six, or 21p per pie, they were praised for being stuffed right to the top with an amazing filling. The tester noted lovely spices, lots of juicy fruit, and the perfect amount of sauce. The pastry was deemed homemade in both look and taste, without being overly sweet or cloying.
How The Other Supermarkets Fared
The competition was fierce, with several other contenders receiving high marks. Morrisons and Mr Kipling both secured a respectable 4 out of 5 stars. Morrisons' pies, also 21p each, were commended for their deep-filled, sharp fruit and crumbly pastry. Mr Kipling's version, at 36p per pie, featured a lovely crumbly pastry and deliciously spiced, juicy filling, though it was marked down for being slightly too sweet and not filled to the brim.
In the middle of the pack, Tesco and Aldi both scored 3 stars. Tesco's Merry Mince Pies (21p each) were loaded with mincemeat but let down by overpowering candy peel. Aldi's offering (21p each) had a good amount of filling, but it was criticised for having too much puree sauce and a subpar flavour.
The Disappointing Performers
Some well-known names failed to impress. Sainsbury's and Asda both received only 2 stars. Sainsbury's pies (21p each) suffered from super crumbly, cloying pastry and a lack of filling. Asda's iced mince pies (33p each), tested as the regular version was sold out, were fully stacked with fruit but let down by flavourless pastry and overly sweet icing.
The biggest disappointment was the premium offering from Marks & Spencer. Despite their pretty appearance with holly leaf decoration, they scored just 1 out of 5 stars. At 50p per pie, the buttery, crumbly pastry was deemed to become sickly within just a couple of bites.
The Final Verdict on Value and Flavour
The overall conclusion is a win for savvy shopping this Christmas. Lidl was the clear winner, not only beating the famous Mr Kipling brand but also triumphing over the significantly more expensive M&S version. The test proves that the finest festive treat doesn't have to carry a premium price tag, with the champion pie costing less than half the price of the most expensive option tested. For those seeking the perfect balance of flavour, texture, and value, the direction is clear.
