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Aldi 'Titan' bars are every bit as nice as the Mars Bars they copy.
Morrisons Cola is surprisingly almost as good as The Real Thing, but 70p for a 2l bottle.
A few years back, I bought some Aldi Shortcrust chicken and gravy pies, and they were like cardboard chunks in bin jus in wet cardboard.
Share your own-brand discoveries so we can keep that shopping bill under control.
Lidl canyon is good. (Rocky). Beats the Aldi wacko bar.
All I can offer is never, EVER buy own-brand Weetabix...baby food (and I've got one) doesn't come close to that insta-mush!
Waitrose baked beans are good as are their tinned tomatoes.
Prefer Sainsbury's Cola Zero to the Coca Cola product, @47p for 2 litres.
Also, prefer Sainsbury's ketchup to Heinz.
Aldi's version of Tunnock's caramel wafers aren't great. They are probably the only Aldi knock-off I won't buy.
Pretty much all own brand baked beans are better than the slop Heinz produce now.
I hate food waste. I once bought Asda potato waffles. I had no qualms about throwing them out.
Generally we buy a lot of own brand.
We rarely buy any branded stuff nowadays. Certainly never Heinz red sauce, beans, or soup. I have some HP at the moment as I remembered we needed brown sauce when in home bargains or somewhere and that was all they had. I prefer Batts from Lidl.
Most stuff is fine, even Aldi or Lidl weetabix!!
Waitrose soups; comparable with Covent Garden and Yorkshire Provender.
Pretty much all own brand baked beans are better than the slop Heinz produce now.
Came on to post exactly this. Did blind taste on family, unanimous.
Aldi- jives(twix) are bubbly(aero) good
Most own brand laundry detergents are utter pish. It's probably the main thing I stick to branded on.
Others are:
Mutti tinned tomatoes because they taste like tomatoes.
Hamlyns / Scotts / Quaker oats because th supermarket ones often are rough AF. Kids can blind taste test the difference.
Otherwise it's Aldi/Waitrose/Asda own brands all the way
dont buy any branded stuff now. all aldi. all good to me. food is fuel, nothing more.
Tesco Marmite is nicer than Marmite Marmite.
It's a little stronger I find and also spreads better as it's a little less viscous.
👌
slowoldman
Full Member
Waitrose baked beans are good as are their tinned tomatoes.
Wiatrose baked beans were my favorite much better than Heinz or Branston IMO but unable to eat them now 😞
Finding the "smoked salmon" on the Christmas toasties especially tasty I rumaged in the bin to find which of the various brands we'd bought it was. It was the Aldi smoked trout.
All the Parkside tools I've bought from Lidl have proved strong and reliable beyond their price point, except the batteries and chargers - buy several and keep them warm and dry.
'Nordpack' Aldi knock off Lurpack. As good as the original and half the price.
Tesco own brand mars bars are also just as good as the real thing, and they cost nowt.
Sainsbury's gluten free bread is bloody awesome.
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. There was no change to the recipes between the labels
Continuing a theme, Aldi Racer bars are better than Snickers. And their Wibbly Wobblies kick nice n spicy Nik Naks into the long grass.
The vast majority of their off brand beers are decent too.
Haven't bought branded beans, ketchup, brown sauce or loads of other stuff for years now. Aldi FTW in most cases.
tomd - +1 for Mutti tinned toms: expensive but definitely worth it!
Nordpack’ Aldi knock off Lurpack. As good as the original
That's definitely not the case, I'm afraid.
I do buy the Nordpack for cooking but I also get big packs of lurpack spreadable from Costco but it is damn expensive.
Aldi fruit pastels are completely lush though!
Aldi spaghetti stands in tomato sauce is dire. The chocolate is spot on and better than most.
Asda English mustard. It's the bomb.
Sainsbury's espresso beans are not too shabby in an emergency.
Co-op fresh bread - especially three cheese, and jalapeño.
Nordpack’ Aldi knock off Lurpack. As good as the original and half the price
Lurpack is one of the few branded things we buy. Partly because my wife's Danish, mostly because The Aldi version tastes awful.
Aldi Oaties are better than hobnobs.
dhb is as good if not better than rapha
All I can offer is never, EVER buy own-brand Weetabix
That depends....
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. There was no change to the recipes between the labels
Also depends....
Lidl and Tesco Weetabix soak up milk too quickly. Morrisons is OK, but tastes a bit different. Waitrose and Sainsburys are good for the price. The real deal are better (but I can't justify the extra cost)
Under no circumstances even contemplate buying any own brand Worcester sauce. It’s completely pointless. It appears to be coloured water
Aldi French Fries knock offs are really good
We always buy Lurpak, despite it being silly money, as nothing else is quite the same and butter is just one of mankind’s greatest achievements
I'm happy to go with own brand for most things but I'll never try Tesco's razors again.
Terrible.
Lurpak my arris. Get yourselves some Aldi west countey butter with salty bits in.
I've bought own brand Weetabix from many different supermarkets.
I couldn't tell you what it tastes like as I can't get into the plastic wrapping around them.
So I splash out on the branded one with their lovely paper packaging.
Aldis fake snickers are also perfect copies
Most own brand laundry detergents are utter pish.
You're not supposed to have it neat man!!!
butter is just one of mankind’s greatest achievements
I don't know how to break this to you ... but man butter isn't legal to buy over the counter!
I worked in a frozen vegetable factory for a summer years ago, all the supermarket companies packaging had the same content in as the manufacturers.
Aldi Nordpak is a no from me, Lidl Danpak on the other hand is excellent
Lidl Crownfield Apple and Cinnamon porridge oat bars are my fave cycling snack
dhb is as good if not better than rapha
I’m not sure about that? I ordered a new pair of winter bibs from Wiggle for this years Festive 500 and nearly wore through the lycra around the seat pad in a single 3 hour ride! I have a pair of Rapha winter bibs that are still going strong after at least 5 years and jerseys going back about 10 which are a bit faded but still function as well as when new.
Tesco dishwasher tabs are just as good as Finish but much cheaper.
Fairy Liquid on the other hand is much better than the Tesco equivalent and cheaper because you don't need to use as much.
No comment on Aldi or Lidl - none close to me although there's meant to be an Aldi opening opposite the Tesco later this year.
And baked beans - don't you make your own?
And baked beans – don’t you make your own?
I grow my own. And mine my own tin for my Ore to Can machine.
Lurpak, nordpak, danpak. Just buy salted butter it's fine. The fancy west country stuff with sea salt from Aldi or Lidl is great though.
I worked in a frozen vegetable factory for a summer years ago, all the supermarket companies packaging had the same content in as the manufacturers.
Frozen vegetables perhaps? I'm shocked...
Co-op fresh bread – especially three cheese, and jalapeño.
So true about the cheese and jalapeño one, I could do a loaf of that in one sitting.
Aldi baked beans are better than Heinz and second only to Branston IMO. Lidl's are quite acceptable too.
Lidl's spreadable butter (in a yellow tub with red writing IIRC) is excellent.
Get yourselves some Aldi west country butter with salty bits in.
This. It really is the best!
I personally find that there is little difference between Aldi / Lidl own brands and so called "branded" products.
Waitrose cream crackers are as good as jacobs. A lot of their essential range stuff is good at the price. Stuff like their Dijon mustard and tartare sauce, all those own brand condiments are exceptionally good value and as nice as branded stuff. With all the supermarkets some own brand stuff is good, some disappointing. I guess you work it out over time and choose what you can afford. Food is fuel after all but it’s also nice to enjoy it if you can!
Lidl Digestives , uncannily close packaging to McVities for a considerable saving and taste better imho Sainsbury's Red Label tea perfect Yorkshire Tea seem to spend a lot on celebrity branding hence the big difference in price but not taste again personal choice.
Aldi is our nearest supermarket so get most things from there these days without even thinking about brands.
My wife is a bit fussier and prefers walkers salt and vinegar crisps to the Aldi equivalent but that's probably the only thing. She actually prefers their own brand seashell choclate things compared to the branded ones (guiylan?) which is a bonus for me on valentines/birthday/anniversary.
csb
Full Member
Lurpak my arris
Think I'll take a rain check on that!
Costco's own brand Kirkland has some good stuff; we particularly like the dishwasher tabs, much cheaper than branded ones but just as effective. And their own-brand toilet rolls of course. And a shout out for Tesco mushy peas, even at the current inflated price of 40p a tin - much better than the branded ones.
Co-op fresh bread – especially three cheese, and jalapeño.
The one with olives in is also particularly tasty
Your a bunch of weirdos not like Heinz beans, though Waitrose essentials (were) much cheaper and taste the same to me. I remember the original Aldi 9p cans, from when they first opened, I won't be trying theirs again in a rush.
Waitrose essential tinned goods are as good or better than tesco/sainsburys 'best'
Waitroses custard creams, are the best you can buy 👌
Lidl does the best Jaffa cakes, much better than the originals, with Aldi's as runners up.
Aldi dishwasher tablets, not necessarily the cheapest but alway have great reviews.
Aldi sandwiches/wraps are a step up above any of the other supermarkets, though M&S trump even those, but are seriously expensive.
Aldi/Lidl do some great chocolates but also sell some nasty crap too, test and decide for yourselves.
As a rule I won't buy morrisons home brands, they really are the poor relation, when it come to supermarkets (but they sell hot chicken during the day,... mmmmmmMMM).
Lidl versions of Choco Liebniz are also excellent, and reasonably priced.
I remember the original Aldi 9p cans, from when they first opened, I won’t be trying theirs again in a rush.
These are the ones you want mate...
Yorkshire Tea seem to spend a lot on celebrity branding hence the big difference in price but not taste again personal choice.
Yes but they often do big discounts on a pack which definitely makes them worthwhile.
Sainsbury's Weetabix are fine - I'm not sure I've had the genuine ones recently enough to remember any difference! I'd only ever buy Dorset Cereal muesli if that's on a big discount too, that's very overpriced.
Most of what I buy is Sainsbury's own brand although going into Co-op after 6pm can sometimes get you some hefty discounts on perishables.
Most of my main meal stuff comes from Gousto now so supermarkets are really only for the basics of milk, cereal, coffee etc.
Get yourselves some Aldi west country butter with salty bits in.
This. It really is the best!
Didn't know this existed but wholeheartedly recommend a quick grind of salt on top of your buttered toast.
Aldi cream crackers aren't too bad but I've never opened a pack that isn't smashed to pieces. I'm sure the warehouse staff play football with the boxes.
Get yourselves some Aldi west country butter with salty bits in.
Just got back from Aldi (for other reasons, not soley because of this. Honest) and they don't appear to have it in our store. Just normal salted and unsalted butter and about 5 variants of Nordpak.
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. There was no change to the recipes between the labels
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. The recipes were completely different between the labels and some even had their own dedicated lines...
Mutti tinned tomatoes because they taste like tomatoes.
I'm a big fan of Mutti generally. Their pasta sauces (for when I'm not growing my own artisan tomatoes, obvs) are excellent.
Lurpak, nordpak, danpak. Just buy salted butter it’s fine.
I'm still waiting for someone to do a Swedish knock-off called Flatpak.
Fairy Liquid on the other hand is much better than the Tesco equivalent and cheaper because you don’t need to use as much.
The problem here is that my other half has no 'portion control' when it comes to washing-up liquid. She'll slam half a pint in there whether it's Limited Edition Fairy Super Ultra Premium Antibacterial With Aloe Vera And Unicorn Semen or some sort of vaguely gloopy coloured liquid from one of the supermarkets who consider "shelves" to be an unnecessary extravagance. When she washes up the sink looks like a woman in a bath in a Hollywood movie. I've stopped buying the posh stuff, it'd have been cheaper to heat the water by burning five pound notes.
As a rule I won’t buy morrisons home brands, they really are the poor relation, when it come to supermarkets
Perhaps, but they have the best bakery out of the lot of them, by some margin.
Tesco Marmite is nicer than Marmite Marmite.
I almost started a thread about this a little while ago. I love Marmite, I could eat Marmite XO out of the jar with a spoon. I've recently been experimenting with trying off-brand options.
First out of the gate was Australia's finest, Vegemite. It's kinda... not good. Sorry Australia. It's sort of like Marmite but it tastes burnt and the consistency is weird, like a cross between Nutella and lip balm.
Next was Lidl's own brand. Surprisingly decent, but really rather runny. It'll probably supplant the branded Squeezable jar next time I'm buying Cooking Marmite.
Finally (to date), Tesco's own. Probably the best of the bunch, The Real Thing aside. Still on the runny side but a better consistency than Lidl's. Honestly, hand on heart, it's difficult to tell apart from the original once it's spread onto something.
My quest will continue. Suggestions (other than "don't") appreciated.
‘Nordpack’ Aldi knock off Lurpack. As good as the original and half the price.
Better than Lurpack is the general consensus in our house.
Aldi mayo is great, better than Hellmann's.
Waitrose own brand Cheerios rip off are the best hoop like cereal by some margin.
I see the big question hasn't been answered yet!
Whose tomato sauce is better or equivalent to Heinz?
Aldi's is not good
Lidl's used to be good but not any more
so whose is it?
No detectable change in Lidl's Tommy K here, still perfectly decent
I agree on the Nordpack, it tastes much the same but is a lot harder / less easy to spread than Lurpak.
Chocolate hazelnut spread that isn't Nutella is much the same, a pig to spread and not quite as nice.
Aldi slightly salted tortilla chips are the best out there and dirt cheap, their flavoured fizzy water is also bang on.
see the big question hasn’t been answered yet!
Whose tomato sauce is better or equivalent to Heinz?Aldi’s is not good
Lidl’s used to be good but not any moreso whose is it?
Page 1 post 5?
YMMV, but at least one person answered it.
Perhaps, but they have the best bakery out of the lot of them, by some margin.
Morrisons salt and pepper baguettes are known as crack cocaine bread in our house, as they have the same addictive qualities. The holy grail is when you get them still warm out of the oven. Try it with either blue cheese or pate.
You can thank me later
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. There was no change to the recipes between the labels
I used to work for a food manufacturer- they made for the likes of Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S and Aldi. The recipes were completely different between the labels and some even had their own dedicated lines…
An ex-food developer here. We worked with all of the supermarkets and whether or not the content was the same varied depending on product and client. For instance, butter was all the same, but in different wrap, unless you bought a speciality one (eg different salt content). Cheeses were mainly graded so that the choosier clients got the better cheese, but you may well have eaten the same cheese from M&S or Tesco.
For more unusual produce like additive cheese, M&S had more stringent specs. I remember that they requested that olives be pitted immediately before adding to their cheese mix, rather than being bought already pitted.
I once went for an interview at the only marzipan factory in the UK and was told that, despite only producing one recipe of marzipan, some Sunday paper had managed to taste test them from different retailers and rank them. I can't remember who won but it was one of the prestige shops.
I once went for an interview at the only marzipan factory in the UK and was told that, despite only producing one recipe of marzipan, some Sunday paper had managed to taste test them from different retailers and rank them. I can’t remember who won but it was one of the prestige shops.
My mother once worked for a short time in a factory producing women's sanitary pads. Apparently everyone there was highly amused when Which did a review on pads from different companies, rating one higher than the other. The only difference was different colour stitching!
Chocolate hazelnut spread that isn’t Nutella is much the same, a pig to spread and not quite as nice.
Completely agree. Even the children have picked up on that as they shred their bread to pieces trying to spread it. All that means is we only have Nutella when it's on special offer though as in my head it should be the same price as the Aldi one.
And their own-brand toilet rolls of course.
victim of shrinkflation in recent years though. The card board tubes inside have gotten bigger and quilting then is just a way of putting less paper on the roll so you’re getting a lot less in those huge packs than you used to
I go to most of the main supermarkets at some point during any given fortnight
I'm steadily getting more and more from Aldi/Lidl
Aldi
Good: -
Tinned toms (not the cheap ones)
Pasatta
Peanut Butter
English Mustard
Brown Sauce
Bad: -
Ketchup (reduced sugar one)
Grain Mustard
Sainsburys
Good: -
Vegan Mayo (this is the closest to Hellmans at half the price)
Baked Beans (reduced sugar)
Lidl
Good: -
Tinned toms (not the cheap ones)
Grain Mustard
Bagged Salad
Tesco
Good: -
Vegan Soups (Tomato, Red Pepper and Lentil)
Asda
Good: -
Korean BBQ big bag crisps
No point ever in buying weetabix, no difference to own brand ones
Having been to most Morrisons is definitely the one which has seen the biggest price rises and shrinkflation (only supermarket to have their own brand big bag crisps drop from 150g to 125g and go up in price)
Yet to try an own brand Oat Milk which is as good as Alpro or Linda Mccartney
On the Asda own brand front, their sausages are absolutely bloody lovely!
Chavsda Balsamic Vinegar in the plastic bottles. Bloomin lovely ot is, just the right consistency for drizzling over chips or pizza pre cooking