YOU could get a bargain by shopping for a supermarket’s own products rather than buying the well-known versions.
In fact, we’ve found that some snacks from Asda actually taste better than the original brands.
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Sometimes the top taste doesn’t come from the branded version of your favourite snack – and you’re likely to pay more for it.
We tested the likes of Nutella, cream cheese, peanut butter and custard creams to see if it’s worth buying them from Asda instead.
Here’s what we found.
Cream cheese
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- Original Philadelphia (165g) – £2.20
- Asda Creamy Original Soft Cheese (200g) – £1.20
The Sun’s consumer reporter Lynsey Hope put Asda and Philadelphia’s cream cheese to the test.
Although Asda’s is still a bit pricey, she found it to be better than the branded version.
Lynsey said: “I used to buy Asda’s for 70p so a bit shocking to see how much more expensive it has become.
“That said, this is a good budget option and still a £1 cheaper than the big brand – and you get more of it.
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“Soft, creamy, lovely taste. I doubt you’ll find anything better for the price.”
Here’s how the two compare on scores.
Asda
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall: 8/10
- Total score: 23/30
Philadelphia
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall: 6/10
- Total score: 19/30
Nutella
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- Nutella (200g) – £2.10
- Asda Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (400g) – £1.70
Lynsey thought Asda’s version was a touch thicker than Nutella’s, but it’s worth it for the price.
She said: “Slightly thicker in consistency than Nutella but still easy to gloop out of the jar on a spoon.
“It has a nutty – not too sweet – flavour with a chocolatey aroma and nicely balanced flavour.
“Asda‘s version is a bit higher in fat than Nutella and also contains palm oil, but for the price, I’ve no complaints.”
Here are their scores.
Asda
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Nutella
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Peanuts
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- KP Original Salted Peanuts (250g) – £3
- Asda Salted Peanuts (270g) – £1.50
Lynsey loved the flavour of Asda’s peanuts: “Delicious crunchy nuts from Asda and the level of saltiness was spot on.
“They are very reasonably priced too. I’d definitely buy these again over KP. No complaints at all.”
Here are the scores.
Asda
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 8/10
KP
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Roast potatoes
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- Aunt Bessies Crispy and Fluffy Roasties (720g) – £2.50
- Asda Crispy Roast Potatoes (800g) – 88p
Lynsey was a big fan of Asda’s: “These had a great flavour and they crisped up well in the recommended 35 minute cooking time. One of the best we tried.
“The skin did look a little pasty and pale – which is the only reason they didn’t win – but the taste was pretty decent. They had a nice balance of crunchiness versus fluffiness.
“For a quick option, these were good.”
The scores are below.
Asda
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 8/10
- Total score: 25/30
Aunt Bessies
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall score: 5/10
- Total score: 15/30
But keep in mind not every Asda own-brand beats the original. Take a look at the items Lynsey DIDN’T prefer over the branded version.
Custard creams
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- McVitie’s Tasties Custard Creams (300g) – 70p
- Asda Custard Creams (400g) – 50p
Lynsey wasn’t big on Asda’s quality: “Dark and dryer than many others, a bit too much like a cracker.
“The filling was unevenly distributed in the biscuits and it wasn’t plentiful or sweet enough.
“They did have a lovely enticing sweet, caramel aroma and a nice crunch but I was left feeling disappointed.”
Here’s how the two scored.
Asda
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 4/10
McVitie’s
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Peanut butter
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- Sun-Pat Smooth Peanut Butter (400g) – £3.50
- Asda Smooth Peanut Butter (340g) – £1.50
The texture in Asda’s jar wasn’t great: “Asda‘s offering was quite hard and I found it too salty to taste.
“It contains palm oil. Not my favourite. I wouldn’t buy this again.”
And here are the scores.
Asda
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall score: 3/10
Sun-Pat
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall score: 4/10
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
