A food writer has conducted a comprehensive taste test of nine chocolate caterpillar cakes from various supermarkets, comparing them to the iconic Colin the Caterpillar from Marks & Spencer. The original Colin, a British favourite for 35 years, remains a popular choice for birthday parties, but several supermarket lookalikes have emerged over the years.
The Original Colin the Caterpillar
Colin the Caterpillar has achieved national treasure status since its launch in 1990. The cylindrical chocolate cake is easy to slice into equal portions and remains relatively affordable at £10. It has attracted famous admirers, including David Beckham and Dame Judi Dench. Over the years, Colin has evolved, gaining white chocolate feet and a more three-dimensional face, while its price has increased modestly from £7 to £10, below inflation.
The Contenders
Food writer Xanthe Clay tested eight competitors against the original Colin. The cakes included Sainsbury's Wiggles, Waitrose Cecil, Tesco Slinky, Iceland Lewis and Green, Co-Op Party Time Charlie, Asda's alternative, Morrison's Morris cake, and Aldi's Cuthbert Layered Buttercream Chocolate Cake.
Top Performers
Sainsbury's Wiggles, priced at £8.50, impressed with its grainy, jammy texture and thoughtful arrangement of sweets and sprinkles, though the ganache-filled ridges lacked flavour. Waitrose Cecil, at £9.50, featured a proper chocolate face and dependable quality, though its shoes were deemed too small.
Disappointing Entries
Tesco's Slinky, at £9, had white chocolate stripes but suffered from a slightly bland flavour and a scary clown face that might upset children. Iceland's Lewis and Green, at £4.50, was the cheapest and smallest, lacking feet and a rigid board, but its marshmallow filling was nostalgically moreish. Co-Op's Party Time Charlie had a nice rich texture but lacked flavour, while Asda's cake gave pound-shop vibes. Morrison's Morris cake was appallingly dry and tasted of fat. Aldi's Cuthbert, which sparked a High Court battle with M&S, was oversweet and dry.
Verdict
Despite the competition, the original Colin the Caterpillar remains the best, with none of the rivals matching its balance of flavour, texture, and overall appeal.
