I tested supermarket pork pies – I love the £2 bargain version that’s perfect for picnics
WHAT better snack to add to the picnic bag than a good pork pie.
They’ve been steadily falling out of fashion in the UK as more of us choose sausage rolls as an on-the-go snack.
But there are some really tasty varieties now on offer on supermarket shelves.
But which will most delight the taste buds?
We asked Lynsey Hope to find out. Here is what happened:
Sainsbury’s Individual Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (140g)
- £1.80
- £1.29 per 100g
The Sainsbury’s pie had a lovely homemade feel and I enjoyed it. It could have been meatier, with 30% pork, but what was inside did have a nice flavour.
It wasn’t as fatty as other pies and I liked the jelly.
Nothing much to complain about and it’s a fair price.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Aldi Specially Selected Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (295g)
- £1.99
- 68p per 100g
What a whopper! I loved this gigantic pie which cost the same as other pies, many of which were only half its size.
It was super meaty too, with 40% pork – the highest of all the pies in our test – and the meat was succulent and flavoursome.
The pastry had a lovely crunch and wasn’t dry. A top product from Aldi.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Morrisons Melton Mowbray Small Pork Pie (140g)
- £1.79
- £1.28 per 100g
The Morrisons pie was overly spiced, perhaps with too much nutmeg and pepper.
The pastry was quite dark in colour and seemed a bit overcooked, and as a result, too dry.
Perfectly edible but this wasn’t my favourite. Quite small for the price, too. For an extra 20p, you get an extra 155g at Aldi.”
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Tesco Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (145g)
- £1.65
- £1.14 per 100g
A very pretty pie with a neat crust and a lovely golden pastry. A good size, too.
But the meat in this pie was uncured and should have looked grey, but it had a slight touch of pink to it.
The jelly was nice and it was reasonably meaty, with 30% pork, but it all blended into one a bit and you couldn’t really pick out the unique flavours.
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 5/10
Asda Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (295g)
- £2.50
- 84.8p per 100g
Asda’s pie was a little dry and lacked seasoning.
There wasn’t enough jelly, seasoning or meat. The pork content was 30% but the flavour didn’t come through and was lost in taste.
Bland, sadly. I wouldn’t want it ruining my picnic.
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall score: 4/10
Waitrose Summer Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (273g)
- £3
- £1.10 per 100g
A great pie from Waitrose. Not too much jelly and a lovely taste of black pepper.
The pastry was crisp and firm and it had a generous helping of pork at 38%. A delicious addition to any picnic.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Lidl Deluxe Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (290g)
- £1.99
- 68p per 100g
Loved the hand crimping on this pie, which made it look really appetising.
I couldn’t wait to tuck in and wasn’t disappointed with the taste.
The pastry was crumbly and delicious and there was a generous helping of 39 per cent pork.
The flavour combo’s here worked well with a lovely helping of jelly keeping it all moist and together.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Other summer taste tests
WE have tested a number of summer picky bits to help you get the best deal.
See what we thought of budget BBQ sauces here.
We also tested own-brand ketchups for you to squirt on your sausages.
And here’s how we found supermarkets’ own-brand coleslaws – the perfect barbecue side dish.
And we tested desserts based on classic chocolate bars – a perfect dish for after your summer barbie.
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