FOR decades Heinz has been the UK’s most popular ketchup with fans claiming it absolutely can’t be beaten.
But with the rise in food prices, it has been getting harder and harder for shoppers to ignore than hefty price tag.
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Consumer website Which? has blind-tasted rival ketchup brands and supermarket dupes to uncover the tastiest and most affordable on the market.
A panel of 76 ketchup fans reviewed six supermarket-branded ketchups from Lidl to Sainsbury’s judging them on taste and cost – and the winner might surprise you.
The ketchups were given an overall score on aroma, texture, appearance and flavour but the supermarket’s own label ketchups and branded ketchups were ranked separately.
Which? found that Lidl’s 45p offering was the best price, beating Heinz’s tomato ketchup.
Lidl’s ketchup was found to be £1.70 cheaper than Heinz and it wasn’t far off it taste.
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Lidl Batts Tomato Ketchup goes for just 45p in stores which works out to be just 8p per 100g.
Lidl’s ketchup proved an impressive all-rounder and it received a score of 74% out of a possible 100.
Not only is Lidl’s ketchup the cheapest, but it also has less sugar and salt than the average ketchup so it’s a little healthier.
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Co-op’s tomato ketchup came second with a respectable score of 72%.
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The Co-op ketchup retails for £1.20 per 550g in stores which is 20p per 100g.
Around 60% of the panel said it had the right thickness and flavour but some did find it a little tangy.
It’s joint-priciest of the supermarket ketchup, but it’s still significantly cheaper than branded options and a good choice overall.
Aldi’s Bramells tomato ketchup took third place scoring 71% with just its sweetness letting it down.
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The ketchup costs 89p in stores which works out to 16p per 100g.
Unsurprisingly Heinz received the Best Buy title from Which? with a score of 75%.
According to 82% of testers, the classic ketchup had the right thickness and more than two-thirds said it was the sweetness and tanginess.
Hellmans is most known for its mayonnaise but it took the second space in Which? Best Buy ketchup rankings scoring 75%.
It’s priced at £2.15 per 437g which is 50p per 100g.
It was the colour thickness and sweetness levels that testers liked the most but it is low in sugar and high in salt.
Del Monte Tomato Ketchup received the Which? Great Value title receiving top marks on thickness and colour with a score of 74%
At £1.80 per 550g (33p per 100g), it was one of the cheapest tried – the ketchup lost out on flavour with many saying it was a little too tangy.
It’s one the priciest on the market at £3.40 for a 450g bottle (74p per 100g), and it’s worth noting it was joint-highest for salt content.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services said: “Tomato ketchup has been a household staple for decades and some people have strong feelings about the brands they love or hate.
“Heinz emerged as the preferred choice among our taste testers for branded ketchup, illustrating why it is still the go-to option for many. However, some may question whether the higher price tag is justified.
“For those looking for ketchup that hits the mark for both flavour and affordability, Lidl’s version is just 45p and came out top in our supermarket’s own-brand taste tests.
“At almost £3 less than branded competitors, Lidl ketchup is a fantastic budget-friendly option that is worth considering as a substitute.”
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If you are looking to buy any of these ketchups in-store make sure you shop around for the best deal.
Bear in mind prices may be different online from what they are in stores.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
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