A recent taste test pitting supermarket garlic baguettes against one another has crowned a clear winner, with Sainsbury's £1 offering achieving a flawless score. Reporter Holly Kintuka, a self-proclaimed garlic bread enthusiast, sampled baguettes from Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, and Tesco to determine which supermarket provides the best value and flavour.
The Contenders and Their Scores
Holly rated each baguette on taste, texture, butter content, and overall value. The results varied widely, with some proving disappointing and others exceeding expectations.
Marks and Spencer – 2/10
Priced at £1.30, M&S was the only baguette Holly felt she would not buy again. She described it as terribly dry, woefully short on butter, and completely lacking in flavour, leaving her thoroughly let down.
Aldi – 4/10
Aldi's 70p offering was not awful but failed to stand out. It had a reasonable amount of butter, though more would have been welcome, and the garlic flavour needed a significant boost. Holly would likely choose other options over this one.
Lidl – 7/10
Lidl's baguette, priced at 72p for two, boasted a generous helping of butter, garlic, and herbs, delivering considerably more flavour than M&S and Aldi. However, it took slightly longer to cook and the butter left it somewhat greasy, robbing it of satisfying crunch. Despite this, Holly would buy it again, citing outstanding value for money.
Asda – 8.5/10
Asda's 36p baguette genuinely caught Holly off guard. It came loaded with garlic, herbs, and butter, with a wonderfully crispy exterior that did not dry out after several bites. Holly would happily stock her freezer with this bargain option.
Tesco – 9/10
Tesco's £1 baguette impressed Holly, with even the plain sections being thoroughly enjoyable. The garlic herb butter portions were equally impressive, though a touch more butter would have been welcome for those who prefer their garlic bread on the buttery side. Nevertheless, this would comfortably be her first choice.
Sainsbury's – 10/10
Sainsbury's delivered in spectacular fashion with its £1 baguette. There was absolutely no skimping on butter; the baguette was drenched in buttery brilliance. One side turned slightly greasy due to the generous coating, but it was far too tasty to complain about. The garlic and herb flavours were punchy, while the other side retained a satisfying crispness. Holly found nothing to criticise, awarding a perfect score.
Conclusion
The taste test revealed that budget-friendly options can outperform pricier rivals. Sainsbury's £1 baguette emerged as the ultimate winner, offering exceptional flavour and texture at an affordable price. Asda's 36p baguette also proved to be a remarkable bargain, while Tesco and Lidl provided solid alternatives. For garlic bread lovers, Sainsbury's is the clear choice.
