Australian Supermarket Easter Eggs Taste Test Reveals Quality Decline
In a comprehensive blind taste test of 29 Australian supermarket Easter eggs, writer Nicholas Jordan embarked on a quest to rediscover the joy of childhood chocolate indulgence. With a panel of six adult reviewers and one enthusiastic three-year-old, the test aimed to evaluate foil-wrapped eggs suitable for hiding and hunting, covering major brands and affordable options. The results, however, painted a sobering picture: the quality of Easter chocolate is simply worse than chocolate available at other times of the year.
The Search for Hope in Easter Chocolate
Jordan recalled childhood memories of unrestricted chocolate consumption during Easter, contrasting it with adult perceptions of culinary enshittification. He described fears of waxy textures, oily fingers, and unidentifiable fillings. The taste test was driven by a desire for hope—hope that delicious chocolate still exists in festive wrappers and that childhood joy could be rekindled. Despite including a range of products from budget to premium, the overall experience left reviewers relieved when the ordeal ended, except for the three-year-old, who enjoyed every egg without judgment.
Top Performers in the Taste Test
The Ferrero Collection Chocolate Wafer Eggs emerged as the best overall, scoring 9 out of 10. Priced at $9.30 for 100g, these eggs offered a familiar combination of wafer, whole-hazelnut centre, and ganache, with chocolate integrity that stood out. While more expensive than regular chocolate blocks—Easter eggs typically cost 13% more by weight—these were noted for their value, especially at Aldi where they are nearly $3 cheaper than at major supermarkets.
For plain chocolate lovers, the Koko Black Milk Little Eggs scored 7.5 out of 10. Priced at $19.99 for 150g, they featured 34% cocoa solids and were praised for their unambiguous chocolate flavour. Reviewers described them as actually chocolate, though they lacked the excitement to become a favourite.
The best value award went to Hugos Hazelnut Cream Mini Eggs from Aldi, scoring 7 out of 10 at $4.49 for 100g. These were likened to cereal candy, with a vaguely chocolatey texture that amused reviewers, especially after learning they were meant to be hazelnut and knafeh flavoured.
Mixed Results and Disappointments
Other notable entries included Coles Finest Swiss Chocolate Mini Easter Eggs, which scored 6.5 out of 10 and impressed with salty caramel shards, and Lindt Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs, scoring 8.5 out of 10 for their familiar quality. Kinder Bueno Eggs scored 8 out of 10 but were criticized for excessive sweetness, with 6g more sugar per 100g than a standard bar.
Loco Love Cosmic Chocolate Eggs scored 6.5 out of 10, offering bitter, complex flavours that contrasted with the hyper-sweet field but confused reviewers after many rounds. Cadbury Dairy Milk Easter Eggs scored 6 out of 10, seen as a safe middle ground amidst inferior options.
The Bottom of the Barrel
Dairy Fine Milk Chocolate Solid Eggs from Aldi scored 5 out of 10, described as faint, sweet, and old, with only 27% cocoa solids. Darrell Lea Mini Chocolate Easter Hunt Eggs scored 3 out of 10, eliciting harsh critiques like waxy, sticky, and slightly minty and dog chocolate.
The lowest score went to Health Lab Gooey Caramel Mylk Chocolate Half Eggs, with a dismal 1.5 out of 10. Despite 35% cocoa solids, reviewers found them confusing and flavourless, likening them to cold, congealed oil. This product marked the lowest score in over 600 supermarket items tested over three years.
Conclusion: A Bittersweet Reality
The taste test revealed a stark reality: while a few Easter eggs like Ferrero Rocher and Lindt maintained quality, many others fell short, with cheaper options often compromising on taste and texture. Jordan concluded that the ovum ordeal highlighted a broader trend of declining chocolate standards during Easter, leaving adult consumers nostalgic for better times. The three-year-old's unwavering enjoyment served as a poignant reminder of simpler pleasures, but for the adults, the hunt for hope in Easter chocolate ended with mixed results and a sigh of relief.
