A self-proclaimed 'food snob' has conducted a surprising taste test, pitting the cheapest baked beans available against the most expensive premium offering, with a result that defied expectations. The experiment aimed to determine whether a higher price tag truly equates to superior flavour in this classic British pantry staple.
The Contenders in the Baked Bean Battle
Spike Turner, a TikTok creator with over 19,000 followers who brands himself as "Your local food snob," selected three distinct products for his comparative analysis. The budget entry was Lidl's Simply... range baked beans, costing a mere 28p per tin. The premium contender was The Bold Bean Co's offering from Waitrose, priced at a staggering £3.50—more than ten times the cost of the Lidl beans. For reference, the iconic and widely consumed Heinz beans, retailing at £1.40, were also included in the tasting lineup.
Detailed Tasting Notes and Scores
Beginning with the cheapest option, Spike sampled the Lidl beans, questioning how such a low price point could be sustainable. He noted that the beans themselves were "completely fine, normal beans," but critiqued the sauce as "very artificial" and "quite cheap-tasting." Despite these criticisms, he awarded the Lidl beans a solid six out of ten.
Moving to the Heinz beans, often considered the nation's favourite, Spike observed they looked "identical in colour and sauce thickness" to the budget option. Upon tasting, he described them as "really basic" with only a "slight flavour upgrade." He dramatically illustrated the flavour profile as spiking sharply then "falling off a cliff," and bluntly stated that the jump from 28p to £1.40 was so unjustified he'd "rather jump off a bridge."
The most expensive beans, presented in a glass jar rather than a tin, featured a different type of bean that Spike described as "really meaty" with a substantial texture. He praised the sauce as resembling "a real tomato sauce with really nice spices." As a self-described harsh reviewer, he rated these premium beans a solid eight out of ten, suggesting they were worthy of an occasional treat.
The Surprising Verdict and Public Reaction
Despite awarding the Waitrose beans a higher numerical score, Spike declared the 28p Lidl beans the overall winner. His reasoning was rooted in value for money, emphatically stating, "These are so cheap I'm sorry these have to be the winner," and humorously advising viewers to "Stock up your pantry for World War Three."
The video sparked considerable debate among viewers in the comments section. Many advocated for alternative brands not featured in the test. One commenter asserted, "Heinz beans suck, they are watery. Aldi ones are way better and a lot cheaper. My fav are Branston, the sauce is thicker and richer." Another echoed this sentiment, stating, "Personally don’t like Heinz beans!! Too rich. Branston all the way." Further suggestions included Asda or Aldi beans as superior to Heinz, indicating a strong public preference for thicker, richer sauces often found in rival brands.
This taste test highlights a fascinating consumer insight: while premium products can deliver on quality and flavour, extreme value for money can ultimately sway preference, challenging the assumption that cost is the primary indicator of taste satisfaction in everyday grocery items.
