For years, butter was often demonised as a dietary villain due to its saturated fat content, which nutritionists confirm isn't ideal for heart health. However, the pendulum has swung back somewhat, with many experts now suggesting that butter, when consumed in moderation, might be preferable to many margarines that fall into the ultra-processed food category.
The Great Butter Taste Test
This shift in perception has sparked a renewed interest in butter quality. Food writer Emma Henderson recently conducted a comprehensive taste test of 13 popular butter brands available from major UK retailers, including household names like Anchor, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks & Spencer. The goal was to identify which butter offers the best combination of flavour, value, and overall quality for consumers.
Surprising Results and Clear Winner
Perhaps the most startling revelation from the taste test was the poor performance of Anchor, one of the market's most recognisable brands. Anchor languished at the very bottom of the rankings, securing a disappointing 13th place with a score of just 3.5 out of 5.
In contrast, supermarket own-label products dominated the higher positions. Emma Henderson crowned Sainsbury's Taste the Difference West Country farmhouse butter as the clear champion, awarding it a flawless five-star rating. This premium butter is crafted with distinctive touches like Maldon sea salt flakes and follows a traditional farmhouse production method.
"The farmhouse style refers to it following a slower churning process, usually using a higher-quality whey cream from leftover cheese production, instead of fresh whey," Emma explained in her analysis. Remarkably, this top-rated butter retails at just £3 for a 250g pack, representing excellent value for a premium product.
Other Notable Performers
The rankings revealed several other strong contenders. M&S British salted butter claimed second place with an identical five-star rating to the winner. Emma highlighted its £2 price tag as "as affordable as it gets for decent blocks of butter" and praised its balanced flavour profile: "Lightly salted and not too overpowering, this is a great everyday butter that isn't too salty or sweet, and is 'just right'."
Irish favourite Kerrygold secured a respectable third place, while Tesco Finest's butter with sea salt crystals found itself in 12th position. The remainder of the rankings featured predominantly products from M&S and Waitrose, demonstrating that supermarket own-brands are competing strongly with established national brands.
The Expanding Butter Renaissance
The butter revival extends well beyond traditional salted and unsalted varieties. British consumers are increasingly experimenting with flavoured butters, influenced by social media trends and a growing "foodie" culture. Retail data reveals significant growth in this niche market segment.
According to retail analysts Worldpanel, nationwide expenditure on speciality flavoured butters increased by 24% in the 12 months leading to September 2025 compared to the previous year. During the same period, sales volume for flavoured butter packs also rose by 16.2%.
Alice Pilkington from market research firm Mintel commented on this trend: "There are several factors driving the popularity of flavoured butter, including the emergence of a 'foodie' culture and social media's increasing influence. In the UK, 61% of 16- to 34-year-olds would describe themselves as foodies, compared with 42% of consumers overall."
She added: "These younger consumers are often discovering new flavours and food trends through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This has led to a strong appetite for culinary exploration and innovative products."
The taste test results and market trends indicate that while traditional butter remains a staple, consumers are becoming more discerning about quality and more adventurous in their choices. The clear message from Emma Henderson's comprehensive comparison is that supermarket own-brands, particularly Sainsbury's premium offering, can outperform established national brands in both taste and value.
