Beans need not mean Heinz: Asda wins Which? taste test

theguardian.com:

Supermarket own-label baked beans from Asda and Aldi have beaten famous – and substantially pricier – brands such as Heinz in a Which? taste test.

Its finding that cheaper supermarket options can more than hold their own against the most popular brands will be welcomed by financially stretched shoppers trying to find a way to keep a lid on soaring grocery bills.

As with other kitchen essentials, the cost of baked beans has risen sharply during the cost of living crisis. There have been claims that prices of this store-cupboard staple have in some cases leapt by more than 50% in 12 months. In January there were reports that Heinz had doubled the price of some of its products in a year.

Which? claimed its taste test showed “beans doesn’t have to mean Heinz”, and that there were tastier and better-value toppings for your toast or jacket potato.

Asda’s own-brand baked beans costing 50p a tin – well under half the price of a £1.39 single tin of Heinz beans – achieved the top score of 77% in the test for flavour, appearance, texture and aroma.

The consumer body said the Asda beans were a “cut above all the rest for flavour – three-quarters of our tasters thought they had the perfect tomatoey taste. They were also some of the best-rated beans for colour and sweetness.”

Aldi’s own-brand Corale baked beans costing 45p came second with a score of 75%, while Branston’s 90p cans took third place with 74%.

Which? said the Aldi beans were the joint cheapest on test, “and offer excellent value for money”.

Own-brand offerings from Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Lidl all scored higher than Heinz and HP, which managed 71% and 67% respectively.

Tasters said the texture of the Heinz sauce and beans were high points, but more than a third