A recent taste test has pitted five supermarket own-brand milk chocolate bars against Cadbury Dairy Milk, with surprising results. The author, a former Dairy Milk devotee, found that every supermarket option surpassed the iconic brand in flavour, texture, and value.
Why Supermarket Chocolate?
Online reviews and shopper feedback increasingly praise own-brand chocolate for being palm oil-free and more affordable. Cadbury Dairy Milk still contains palm fat, which many consumers avoid. The cost of chocolate has risen, but some of the best-tasting bars were among the cheapest.
Tesco Milk Chocolate Bar (200g) - £2.30 - 3/5
This bar impressed with its creamy flavour, suitable for baking or snacking. However, the author prefers Tesco Ms Molly's Milk Chocolate Bar (100g, 65p) for a more gratifying cocoa butter taste. Both beat Dairy Milk. One reviewer said: "Very nice taste, my go-to chocolate now that I've stopped buying Cadbury. No palm oil. Well done, Tesco."
M&S Choc Marks Milk Chocolate (180g) - £3.50 - 3/5
Tasty and chunky, leaning chocolatey rather than creamy. Pricier than others, but miles ahead of Dairy Milk. The smaller 50g bars (£1.40) make a nice afternoon treat. Dried whole milk appears before cocoa butter on the ingredients list.
Sainsbury's Milk Chocolate (200g) - £2.30 - 4/5
Despite some negative online reviews, this bar impressed with its rich, velvety texture and chunky pieces. It is palm oil-free and, in the author's view, wipes the floor with Cadbury Dairy Milk.
Aldi Dairyfine Milk Chocolate (200g) - £1.95 - 4/5
More affordable and slightly sweeter than Sainsbury's, offering exceptional value. Aldi's palm oil-free recipe delivers a balanced taste, though sweetness may vary. The Aldi Choceur range is also noted for its creamy flavour, similar to how Dairy Milk used to taste.
Morrisons Chunk Belgian Chocolate (140g) - £2.50 - 3/5
This loaded bar includes blueberry, raspberry, cookie, and brownie pieces. While some compare it to Tony's Chocolonely, Morrisons Chunk is chunkier and cheaper. It contains at least 30% cocoa solids and arguably tastes better than Dairy Milk. Some variants include palm oil, unlike Tony's which is entirely palm oil-free.
Conclusion
The author concludes that all tested supermarket bars outperform Cadbury Dairy Milk, which now receives a 1/5 rating. For those seeking quality chocolate without palm oil, these own-brand options are worth exploring.
