Supermarket Mini Eggs Face-Off: Which One Tops Cadbury?
Cadbury Mini Eggs have long been considered a premium Easter indulgence, but with prices steadily climbing, many shoppers are turning to supermarket own-brand alternatives. These budget-friendly versions promise similar enjoyment at a fraction of the cost, but do they deliver on taste and quality? To find out, we conducted a comprehensive taste test comparing Cadbury's iconic treat with offerings from five major retailers.
The Contenders and Their Prices
Our investigation included mini eggs from Morrisons, Asda, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, and Lidl. Notably, Tesco and Sainsbury's were excluded as they didn't stock own-brand versions at the time of testing. The price range was significant, from Cadbury's £2.00 for 74g (though available at £1.75 on promotion) down to just 99p for some alternatives.
Cadbury Mini Eggs: The Benchmark
The original Cadbury Mini Eggs set the standard with their instantly recognisable pastel-coloured coating. The shell provided a satisfying crunch, while the chocolate inside maintained Cadbury's signature creamy deliciousness. With well-proportioned eggs and consistent quality, they earned a perfect 5/5 score, justifying their status as a seasonal favourite despite the higher price point.
Supermarket Alternatives: Mixed Results
Morrisons Crackin' Up Mini Chocolate Eggs (80g for £1.00) disappointed despite their creative name. While featuring a mottled pastel effect, the limited colour variety and an unpleasant, lingering aftertaste resulted in a disappointing 0/5 rating.
Asda Easter Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs (80g for £1.12) emerged as the surprise standout. Closely resembling Cadbury's appearance with attractive pastel colours, they offered a perfect crunchy shell and pleasantly sweet chocolate flavour. At nearly half the price of Cadbury, they earned a top-tier 5/5 score.
Marks & Spencer Speckled Eggs (90g for £1.75) presented larger eggs with vibrant colours. While the chocolate interior was enjoyable, the excessively hard shell proved problematic, leading to a middling 3/5 rating despite the generous portion size.
Aldi Choceur Mini Chocolate Eggs (74g for 99p) matched Cadbury's weight at the lowest price point. Their bright appearance and sweet-tasting shell were positives, but a peculiar aftertaste similar to Morrisons' version limited their appeal, resulting in a 2/5 score.
Lidl Mister Choc Mini Eggs (80g for 99p) impressed with smooth pastel shells and balanced crunch. The chocolate flavour was pleasant without any off-notes, making them a solid budget choice that earned a respectable 4/5 rating.
Final Rankings and Verdict
Our taste test revealed clear winners and losers:
- Cadbury Mini Eggs - 5/5 (excellent but pricey)
- Asda Easter Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs - 5/5 (best value alternative)
- Lidl Mister Choc Mini Eggs - 4/5 (good budget option)
- Marks & Spencer Speckled Eggs - 3/5 (mixed experience)
- Aldi Choceur Mini Chocolate Eggs - 2/5 (price can't save taste)
- Morrisons Crackin' Up Mini Chocolate Eggs - 0/5 (avoid despite fun name)
The most surprising revelation was Asda's version matching Cadbury in quality while costing significantly less. While Cadbury remains the gold standard for purists, value-conscious shoppers now have compelling alternatives that don't compromise on the Easter chocolate experience. Morrisons' offering, however, proved that not all supermarket versions are created equal, demonstrating that a catchy name alone cannot salvage poor flavour.
