In a comparison of blueberries from six major supermarkets, Lidl's budget-friendly punnet emerged as the clear winner, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10, surpassing the more expensive M&S offering, which scored 9.5.
The taste test, conducted by Angela Patrone, sampled blueberries from Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's, M&S, Tesco, and Waitrose. Several berries from each punnet were tasted to account for occasional duds. Going into the test, M&S was expected to win, but the results proved otherwise.
Budget Punnets Surprise
Lidl's blueberries, costing £1.29, were described as "outstanding: firm, juicy and full of flavour." While not as large as M&S's offering, the balance of sweetness and tartness made them a firm favourite. This was a revelation, as previous experiences with Lidl blueberries had involved mouldy and tasteless berries.
Aldi's blueberries, at £1.69, were the second most affordable but scored only 3/10, being the most flavourless and smallest of the bunch, with a relatively decent shelf life as their only saving grace.
Mid-Range Options
Sainsbury's "British blueberries" cost £2 and scored 5/10. Despite containing some of the largest berries, the flavour was virtually non-existent and the texture disappointingly mushy.
Waitrose's "Essential" punnet, at £1.90, scored 7/10. The berries varied in size, with larger ones being softer, but they offered a pleasant balance of sweetness and sharpness, though with a shorter best-before date.
Premium and Winner
Tesco's blueberries, also £2, scored 8/10. They were larger and sweeter than the preceding three punnets, with excellent flavour and a wonderfully tart bite.
M&S's "British hand-picked blueberries" were the most expensive at £2.50 and scored 9.5/10. They were beautifully plump, uniformly large and firm, with sharp, juicy flesh, living up to expectations.
The test concluded that Lidl's budget option offered the best value and taste, proving that price is not always an indicator of quality.
