
In the great British butter aisle, where prices range from everyday affordable to eye-wateringly premium, one burning question remains: does spending more actually get you a better product? We conducted a blind taste test to separate the truly creamy from the merely expensive.
The Butter Line-Up
Our tasting panel assembled a diverse range of butters from major UK supermarkets. The competitors included:
- Lurpak slightly salted (£3.60 for 500g)
- Cathedral City slightly salted (£3 for 500g)
- Kerrygold slightly salted (£2.75 for 500g)
- M&S Select Farms (£2.85 for 500g)
- Waitrose Essential (£2.20 for 500g)
- Aldi Norpak (£1.99 for 500g)
- Lidl Brente (£1.99 for 500g)
The Taste Test Methodology
Our expert tasters sampled each butter blind, with no knowledge of brand or price point. They evaluated based on texture, saltiness, creaminess, and overall flavour profile. The results were nothing short of revolutionary.
The Surprising Results
In a stunning upset, the premium-priced Lurpak failed to impress our panel, with one taster describing it as "too salty" and another noting it had an "unpleasant aftertaste." Meanwhile, Cathedral City received mixed reviews for its distinctive cheesy flavour that divided opinion.
The real shock came from the budget contenders. Aldi's Norpak and Lidl's Brente both outperformed expectations, with tasters praising their "creamy texture" and "well-balanced saltiness." One participant remarked they "would happily spread this on my toast every morning."
The Clear Winner Emerges
After rigorous tasting and scoring, one butter consistently rose to the top: Lidl's Brente. At just £1.99 for 500g, this budget option beat butters costing nearly twice as much.
Our tasters described the winning butter as having a "perfectly creamy texture," "lovely salty balance," and "that classic butter taste without any unpleasant afternotes." The victory proves that when it comes to butter, price doesn't always equal quality.
What This Means For Your Shopping
The results demonstrate that supermarket own-brand butters can compete with, and sometimes surpass, their more expensive counterparts. With the cost of living affecting household budgets, this taste test reveals significant savings are possible without compromising on quality.
Next time you're in the dairy aisle, consider giving the supermarket alternatives a chance. Your taste buds - and your wallet - might thank you for it.