A SUPERMARKET’s own-label baked beans have beaten family-favourite brands including Heinz and Branston in a taste test.
The favourite cupboard staple was ranked top by a team of 66 testers, put together by consumer experts Which?.
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The panel ranked 10 variations of baked beans from top supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, as well brands Branston and Heinz.
Each was given a score out of 100 based on 50% flavour, 20% appearance, 20% aroma and 10% texture.
In the final scores, there was less than 10% between the winner and lowest scorer.
However, the top spot was taken by Aldi Bramwell’s Baked Beans, with an overall score of 76%.
The panel thought the beans looked good, had an appealing aroma, and three-quarters said the strength of flavour was perfect.
Just behind with a score of 75% was Branstons Baked Beans.
The panel said these beans looked appetising and the strength of flavour satisfied seven 70% tasters. The level of sweetness was enjoyed by a similar number of tasters.
In third and fourth spots were the Co-Op’s Baked Beans and Asda’s Baked Beans, with scores of 74% and 73%, respectively.
Heinz Beanz was voted into fifth place with an overall score of 72%.
The panel thought the big brand beans looked good and had a pleasing texture, but the aroma was less well liked than others, and just over a third (35%) thought the sauce was too thin.
If you get through two tins per week, switching from Heinz beans to Aldi’s offering could save you over £100 per year, as a year’s supply of Aldi baked beans comes in at £42.64 versus £145.60 for Heinz – a £103 saving.
The overall scores were close, but there were bigger variations on individual parts of the scoring.
For example, M&S Baked Beans had a score of 67%, but less than half (45%) were satisfied with the strength of flavour, while a third wanted them to be sweeter.
Aldi and Branston have now both earned Which?’s Best Buy endorsement and Aldi also has the Great Value backing too.
Lidl’s own-label items are usually included on taste tests, but the supermarket told Which? there is variation in the product recipe due to dual supply, so it wasn’t tested this time.
| Brand | Score |
| Aldi Bramwell’s Baked Beans | 76% |
| Branstons Baked Beans | 75% |
| Co-op Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce | 74% |
| Asda Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce | 73% |
| Heinz Beanz | 72% |
| Waitrose Essential Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce | 72% |
| Sainsbury’s Baked Beans in Tasty Tomato Sauce | 71% |
| Tesco Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce | 70% |
| Morrisons Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce | 68% |
| M&S Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce | 67% |
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Baked beans are a staple for many households and our results show you don’t have to pay a premium for the best taste.
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“Choosing supermarket own-label groceries is not only a great way to save money, but our tests prove that you can end up with a better tasting product and can save over £100 a year by making the switch.”
The Sun team has recently taste tested tinned pasta and boxed wines.
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.
