Taste test of supermarket festive mince pies by Which? panel

The expert taste test panel from Which? has taste tested the best supermarket mince pies you can buy this Christmas.

With Christmas just weeks away, the tasty holiday treat is beginning to fly off supermarket shelves. Some supermarkets offer more traditional mince pies while others have opted for more out the box flavours.

Consumer group Which? tasked their experts to find out which ones you should be putting in your basket, and which ones are best left on the shelf. The expert panel consisted of four baking connoisseurs: Nathan Rave, winner of Bake Off: The Professionals 2022, Edd Kimber, victor of Great British Bake Off 2010, award-winning baker and food writer Dan Lepard, and pastry chef and author Shaheen Peerbhai, reports Chronicle Live.

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Natalie Hitchins, from Which? said: "For many of us, Christmas wouldn't be complete without a mince pie. There's nothing quite like that buttery and fruity taste to get you in the festive spirit. Our experts tasted premium mince pies from the biggest UK supermarkets to discover which ones could make this holiday season a little more special without stretching the budget too far.

Waitrose

Waitrose has triumphed in the battle of the supermarket mince pies, coming in at the top with its No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac. Celebrated for their "lovely pastry, an enticing aroma and generous nut, spice and citrus filling, with a subtle boozy warmth," these indulgent pastries are available at £4 for a pack of six, which works out to roughly 67p per pie. They've not only won over the public but also earned the prestigious Which? Best Buy label.

Aldi

Aldi's Specially Selected Mince Pies also caught the attention of the judges, who were taken with their "great buttery taste, snowflake design and tasty filling packed with fruit and spices". As one of the most wallet-friendly options tested, at £2.29 for six or just 38p per pie.

M&S

Marks and Spencer Collection Mince Pies, retailing at £4 for six, were noted for their "generous filling and golden pastry", although one judge expressed a desire for more spice.

Iceland

Meanwhile, Iceland's Luxury All Butter Mince Pies, available at £3 for six, were commended for their abundant sultana and fruit fillings but were critiqued for being "too dry and lacked in spice and flavour".

Morrisons

Morrison's The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies, retailing at £2.75 for a pack of six, were praised for having "a good ratio of filling to pastry" and their festive appearance was well-received by the panel, however, they "weren't so taken with the taste".

Tesco

Tesco Finest All Butter Pastry Mince Pies, costing £3 for six, didn't win over the experts, who criticised them for an "overly acidic flavour and doughy pastry".

Asda

Meanwhile, Asda Exceptional Luxury Mince Pies, priced at £2.75 for six, disappointed the panel due to what they perceived as underbaked pastry.

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