Asda's Salt & Vinegar Flavour Crisps have been named the winner of Metro's blind taste test, scoring 83/100 and beating popular brands including Walkers and McCoys. The 6 x 25g (150g) pack retails at £1, working out at 67p per 100g, making it an affordable option.
How the taste test worked
The Metro team sampled crisps from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, M&S, and Waitrose, alongside branded versions by Walkers and McCoys. Each product was scored across five categories: appearance, texture, size, taste, and price per 100g, with a maximum possible score of 100.
One tester at Metro HQ was a 'big fan,' calling them 'really vinegary, not uncomfortably crunchy (there's a fine line in the crisp world between a pleasing snap and cutting your mouth open) and probably the nicest looking of the bunch.' Some points were lost due to the 'slightly oily aftertaste, which lost them a point.' Another tester said: 'Lovely and crunchy, strong enough without being overpowering from a vinegar point of view.'
Walkers ranked fifth
Walkers, a UK crisp staple, scored 61.5/100, placing fifth behind Asda, Lidl (69/100), McCoys (68.5/100), and Morrisons (67.5/100). The brand was deemed 'well-balanced' with a nice 'potatoey' flavour, but 'inconsistent,' as some crisps were 'savoury perfection' while others 'missed the flavour duster entirely.' Flavour was its weakest category, scoring only 10/20. At £1.35 or 90p per 100g, it was the third most expensive option, after McCoys (£1.57 per 100g) and M&S (£1.20 per 100g).
Runners-up and bottom of the table
Lidl took second place with a perfect 20/20 score for value for money, at 53.33p per 100g and 80p per pack. Testers praised its 'best snap so far' but noted its small size. McCoys came third, with testers liking the crinkle cut texture and 'great colour,' but finding the flavour 'not too strong' and the price high. Morrisons finished fourth at £1.10 or 73p per 100g, with one taster praising its 'nice hit of vinegar' without it being 'too much.'
Aldi came sixth with 52.5/100, scoring well on value (17.5/20) but being let down by size and taste, with one tester saying it 'tasted outright stale, with a crumbly dry consistency to match.' M&S finished seventh at 49/100, with testers noting its strong salt and 'pale in colour' appearance. Waitrose came last with 46/100, with one tester saying, 'I can't place the flavour, but it doesn't taste like salt and vinegar. No sharpness/vinegar hit detectable.'
