Is Luxury Better?

Comment:

 It is generally thought that by doing our Christmas food shopping at the more up-market places that we will be getting better quality, though as the Good Housekeeping magazine found this is not the case.

Furthermore with the burden that Christmas can place on families, knowing that you can still be getting the best without the price tag could take some of the stress out of Christmas.

Where do you do your Christmas food shopping?

Research:

Usually people think that for the best quality food they should head to those with the highest price tag. However Fortnum & Mason has been beaten by the discount chain Aldi in a taste test of Christmas pudding.

In Good Housekeeping magazine Aldi’s £7.99 pudding came second and was described as ‘delicious’ and ‘a real bargain’, while Fortnum & Mason’s £24.95 version was ‘a real disappointment’ and came in at 29 out of the 32 puddings tested.

Supermarket Waitrose won the category with its cherry and almond-topped pudding with edible glitter. It was described as having a ‘lovely warm boozy, zesty orange flavour.’

Marks and Spencer’s panettone Christmas pudding was also mentioned for its ‘lovely fruit decoration’ and ‘rich buttery vanilla taste’. But the magazine noted that it was not one for traditionalists. 

While Tesco Finest hidden pear and mulled wine pudding was commended for its ‘rich boozy flavour’ and ‘exciting jewelled fruit topping’. 

Fortnum & Mason also scored bottom in the cranberry sauce test with its £10.95 jar, a category won by a £1.49 version by Tesco.

Good Housekeeping tested traditional festive food and drink from more than 20 retailers this year, and tested many different Christmas foods including Christmas pudding, brandy butter, mince pies, mulled wine, Christmas cake and Stilton. They found that on the whole shoppers ‘should head to the supermarkets’ for the best Christmas cakes, with all five shortlisted being supermarket own brands.

Good Housekeeping consumer director Caroline Bloor said: ‘Shopping for Christmas dinner – one of the most eagerly anticipated meals of the year – can be very stressful.

“Deciding what to choose when faced with products you may only buy once a year can be hit and miss. That’s why we’ve done all the hard work for you and tracked down the best options across 11 categories. Our annual Good Housekeeping Tried and Tested special on festive foods proves you don’t need to bust the budget buying expensive names to treat everyone to something special. In most categories, the overall winner is from a high street supermarket. If you’re going to splash out, save your money for the smoked salmon and mince pies.”

Read original article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2225786/Aldi-beats-luxury-Fortnum–Mason-Christmas-pudding-taste-test.html