Supermarket own-label cheddar cheeses have outperformed leading brands in a blind taste test conducted by Which? The consumer champion pitted various cheddars against each other, with Tesco Finest Mature English Cheddar emerging as the top scorer, achieving 78%.
Tesco's cheese was praised for its 'firm, smooth' texture, balanced salt levels, and depth of flavour. Testers described it as 'pleasingly crumbly and creamy'. It retails at £4 for 350g, considered about average price-wise.
Davidstow Classic Cheddar took second place with 75%, though it was among the priciest at £4.75 for 350g. Despite this, it received a 'best buy' recommendation. M&S Cornish Cove Mature Cheddar (£4.25 for 350g) came third, followed by Castello Tickler Mature Cheddar (£4.75 for 300g) in fourth.
Cathedral City Mature Cheddar (£3.50 for 350g) could only manage joint-fifth alongside Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar (£4.20 for 350g). Sainsbury's Barber's Mature Cruncher (£4 for 350g) and Aldi's Specially Selected West Country Mature Cheddar (£2.99 for 350g) placed sixth. Co-op's Irresistible Somerset Mature Cheddar (£4.50 for 340g) came last.
