In a blind taste test of UK supermarket own-brand brown sauces, Aldi's Bramwells brown sauce at 99p emerged as the clear winner, outperforming the market leader HP sauce which costs £3.60. The tasting panel evaluated consistency, colour, flavour, and value for money.
The Contenders and How They Fared
Five brown sauces were tested: HP Sauce (£3.60, Tesco), Waitrose (£1.15), M&S (£1.15), ASDA (£1.22), and Aldi (99p). Each was assessed on tanginess, texture, and overall taste.
HP Sauce – The Benchmark
HP sauce is a British classic with a tangy, fruity flavour that cuts through fried food. It remains the standard against which others are measured.
Waitrose – Weak and Watery
Waitrose's brown sauce at £1.15 was disappointing. The consistency was very watery and it lacked flavour, making it the weakest of the bunch. It is passable but not worth buying again.
M&S – Gravy-Like and Disappointing
M&S brown sauce (£1.15) had a decent consistency but an unexpected gravy-like flavour with a strange aftertaste. It lacked the tang expected from a brown sauce, falling short of expectations.
ASDA – Decent Flavour, Watery Texture
ASDA's own brand (£1.22) offered a strong tang and full flavour, but its very watery consistency reduced the flavour per dip. It is fine but not a replacement for HP.
Aldi – The Winner
Aldi's Bramwells brown sauce (99p) had a solid, full-bodied consistency and packed flavour. All the malty, fruity notes were identifiable, with a strong top note of cinnamon that some may love. It is just as good, if not better, than HP, and at a fraction of the price.
Final Ranking
Last place: Waitrose, due to weak flavour and high price. Fourth: M&S, for its gravy-like taste. Third: ASDA, decent but watery. Second: HP, the classic but expensive. First: Aldi, the best value and flavour.
According to Emilia Randall, the tester, 'Aldi provided the best HP dupe of the bunch – and I would argue it overtakes HP in terms of flavour. For just 99p this delivered a superb flavour, and offers amazing value for money.'
