Supermarket Ketchup Rivals Heinz in Blind Taste Test While Costing Far Less
Tomato ketchup stands as one of Britain's most essential kitchen staples, with the vast majority of households keeping a bottle readily available. While debates may rage over whether it belongs in the fridge or the cupboard, there is no disputing its status as a supremely popular and versatile condiment. The name Heinz typically springs to mind when ketchup is mentioned, yet like many leading brand names, it carries a premium price tag. However, consumer champions have now identified a supermarket alternative that delivers comparable taste at a dramatically lower cost.
Blind Taste Test Reveals Surprising Joint Winner
Consumer experts at Which? conducted a comprehensive blind tasting of eight different tomato ketchups from leading supermarkets, including offerings from Aldi, Tesco, and Sainsbury's. The objective was to determine which product offered the best combination of flavour and value. In a surprising result, Asda's own-brand tomato ketchup emerged as a joint winner alongside the iconic Heinz brand.
Asda's product also received a Great Value award due to its exceptionally wallet-friendly price point. The supermarket's ketchup retails at a mere £1.39 for a 970g bottle, which works out to just 14p per 100g. Blind testers reported that it tasted 'just as good as Heinz', despite costing less than a third of the price. Participants specifically praised its well-balanced profile, noting its pleasing tanginess, sweetness, and overall strength of flavour.
Health and Budget Benefits of the Supermarket Alternative
As an added nutritional benefit, the Asda own-brand ketchup contains less salt and sugar than the Heinz equivalent, making it a slightly healthier choice for consumers. While the larger 970g bottle is currently unavailable on Asda's website, the smaller 550g version remains in stock for £1.07, which still represents excellent value for money. By stark contrast, Heinz proved to be the most expensive option in the taste test, with a 460g bottle costing shoppers approximately £3.
Heinz remains a classic for good reason, with loyal fans consistently praising its distinctive texture, rich taste, and familiar appearance. However, the taste test results compellingly demonstrate that a high-quality alternative exists at a significantly lower price.
Other Supermarket Ketchups Ranked in the Test
Third place in the Which? trial went to Waitrose Essentials Tomato Ketchup, priced at 95p for a 470g bottle. While it did not score quite as highly as Asda or Heinz, it was still deemed a solid choice for shoppers seeking a reliable supermarket tomato ketchup.
Other supermarket offerings did not fare as well with the judges. Marks & Spencer's tomato ketchup found itself in last place, described by some tasters as being too 'thick, dark, and tangy'. Lidl's Batt tomato ketchup also fell short, with critics expressing reservations about its overall flavour profile.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the well-known brand Hellmann's was among the bottom rankers. Despite costing double that of many budget alternatives, some tasters felt it was lacking in both texture and taste, failing to justify its higher price point.
This comprehensive taste test underscores a vital lesson for consumers: paying a premium for a brand-name product does not always guarantee superior quality. With careful selection, shoppers can enjoy excellent flavour while making substantial savings on their grocery bills.
