Waitrose Spread Claims Victory in Chocolate Hazelnut Taste Test
Chocolate hazelnut spread is a beloved indulgence, enjoyed by millions on toast, in porridge, or drizzled over waffles. With claims that a jar of Nutella sells every 2.5 seconds, this market leader often comes with a premium price. To determine if consumers can save money without sacrificing flavor, the consumer watchdog Which? conducted a comprehensive blind taste test, comparing 11 different chocolate hazelnut spreads.
Testing Methodology and Participants
The evaluation involved 60 dedicated testers who sampled a range of products, including well-known brands like Nutella, Bonne Maman, and Jim-Jams, as well as eight supermarket own-labels from retailers such as Aldi, Asda, Tesco, and Lidl. Each spread was rigorously scored on key attributes: richness of chocolate flavor, nutty taste, sweetness, and thickness. This thorough approach ensured a fair and detailed comparison across all contenders.
Top Performers and Surprising Results
In a surprising turn, Waitrose Essential Hazelnut Chocolate Spread secured the top spot with an impressive overall score of 82%. Testers praised its smooth texture and rich chocolate and hazelnut notes, noting it achieved a perfect balance of sweetness. Priced at £2.50 for a 400g jar, it is the most expensive among supermarket brands but undercuts a 350g jar of Nutella by 40p, offering a competitive edge in value.
Nutella, the iconic spread, came a close second with an overall score of 81%. More than three-quarters of the panel lauded its rich chocolatey flavor, with many appreciating its hazelnut taste and sweetness. However, over half of the testers found its texture too thick and stodgy. At £2.90 for 350g, Nutella sits at the higher end of the price spectrum, though larger jars of 630g or 1kg may provide better value for money, as reported by the Mirror.
Value Champions and Mid-Range Options
Tying for second place was Tesco Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, another supermarket own-brand. Most testers found it visually appealing, and three-quarters enjoyed the strength of its chocolate and hazelnut flavors. They also commended its sweetness level and consistency. Earning both the Which? Best Buy and Great Value awards, Tesco's spread costs just £1.65 for a 400g jar, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice.
In joint third place were Asda's Hazelnut Chocolate Spread and Lidl's Choco Nussa Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, both achieving 80%. Asda's spread costs £2 for a 400g jar, while Lidl's is priced at £1.65 for the same amount. Nearly three-quarters of testers praised Asda's chocolate and hazelnut flavors and sweetness, though almost half felt it was too thick. For Lidl's spread, three-quarters said the sweetness was just right, and two-thirds liked the chocolate flavor and thickness, but almost half desired a more robust hazelnut taste.
Lowest-Ranked Spread and Consumer Feedback
At the bottom of the list, Aldi's Nutoka Hazelnut Chocolate Spread scored only 62%, making it the least popular among testers. Half of the panel thought it needed a nuttier flavor, while a third criticized it for being too thick and insufficiently chocolatey. This highlights the variability in quality among budget options, emphasizing the importance of taste over price alone.
This blind taste test underscores that premium prices do not always guarantee superior flavor, with Waitrose emerging as a standout despite its cost. For chocoholics seeking alternatives, options like Tesco and Lidl offer great value without compromising on taste, while Aldi's spread may fall short for those prioritizing rich, nutty profiles.
