Supermarket own-label baked beans from Aldi have beaten established and pricier brands such as Heinz in a Which? taste test.
The consumer champion asked 66 baked bean fans to blind-taste and rate 10 different options from supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and big brands Heinz and Branston.
Aldi’s Bramwells Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce (41p for 410g can) won over the tasters with an overall score of 76 per cent and were awarded a Which? Best Buy and a Great Value endorsement. The panel thought the beans looked good, had an appealing aroma, and three-quarters (74%) said the strength of flavour was perfect.
Following closely behind with an overall score of 75 per cent was Branston Baked Beans (£1 for 410g can). These beans were also given a Best Buy. The panel said they looked appetising and the strength of flavour satisfied seven in 10 (70%) tasters. The level of sweetness was enjoyed by a similar number of tasters (71%).
Co-op’s Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (49p for 400g can) weren’t far behind with a score of 74 per cent. Of the panel, seven in 10 (70%) said the flavour strength was good, though the remainder would have enjoyed a stronger tomato taste.
Asda’s Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce (42p for 410g can) received a score of 73 per cent. The texture of the beans was enjoyed by seven in 10 (70%) while three quarters (73%) liked the texture of the sauce. Although the appearance was rated well overall, some of the panel were unsure about the colour of the baked beans and three in 10 (29%) found the orange colour too vibrant.
Heinz Beanz (£1.40 for 415g can) scored 72 per cent. The panel thought the 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.
M&S Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce (50p for 400g can) impressed the panel least, with a score of 67 per cent. The texture of the beans and sauce were both enjoyed by most, but less than half (45%) were satisfied with the strength of flavour, while a third (32%) wanted them to be sweeter.
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.
“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.”
