Supermarket Brands Outshine Big Names: Cheddar Cheese and Coffee Taste Tests Reveal Surprising Winners

Recent blind taste tests conducted by consumer champions, Which, have showcased the impressive quality of supermarket own brands, challenging the prevailing belief that big-name brands guarantee superior taste. In a series of taste tests, products from larger brands were pitted against those from supermarket chains, yielding some remarkable results.

Crowning the Cheddar Champion

In a taste test featuring cheddar cheeses, Tesco's Finest Mature English Cheddar emerged victorious, scoring an impressive 78%. Testers praised its ‘firm, smooth’ texture and well-balanced salt level, describing it as 'pleasingly crumbly and creamy.' While it's not the cheapest option on the shelf at £4 for 350g, it strikes a balance between quality and price, proving that consumers can appreciate high-quality cheese without breaking the bank.

Instant Coffee Surprises

In addition to cheeses, the blind taste tests extended to instant coffees, where both Marks & Spencer and Waitrose scored higher than well-known brands such as Nescafé and Kenco. They achieved a joint first place with a score of 70%, thanks to their robust flavors, appealing aromas, and overall strengths. It’s significant to note that despite the cheaper prices of these supermarket brands, consumers rated the products solely on taste, illustrating that quality can come at a lower cost.

This trend of supermarket brands outperforming well-established competitors emphasizes an important shift in consumer habits. As shoppers explore the quality available within their local supermarkets, they are discovering that loyalty to big brands may not always mean superior choice. The results not only encourage consumers to rethink their shopping habits but also push bigger brands to reconsider their offerings and pricing strategies in order to remain competitive.