With Wimbledon and warmer weather on the way, I tested strawberries from five major supermarkets to find the tastiest punnet, and the winner was also the cheapest.
I tried five punnets of strawberries from UK supermarkets. With temperatures rising and Wimbledon just around the corner, there's no better time to enjoy one of Britain's favourite summer treats: strawberries and cream. The tennis championships and strawberry season go hand in hand, but with food prices still a concern for many households, I wanted to find out which supermarket offers the best value for money.
To put them to the test, I picked up punnets of strawberries from M&S, Waitrose, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, comparing taste, texture, appearance and price. I expected one of the premium supermarkets to come out on top. Instead, it was the cheapest punnet of the lot that stole the show.
Morrisons – 3/10 (£2.50, 250g)
The biggest disappointment of the test. At first glance, Morrisons' strawberries looked almost too good to be true. Every berry appeared perfectly shaped and brightly coloured. Unfortunately, the taste didn't live up to the appearance. They had an artificial flavour that felt more reminiscent of strawberry sweets than fresh summer fruit. Despite their picture-perfect looks, they lacked the natural sweetness and freshness I was hoping for. At £2.50 for a 250g punnet, they were also among the most expensive on a weight basis, making them poor value compared with several rivals.
Sainsbury's – 5/10 (£1.83, 250g)
Sainsbury's offered the lowest headline price after Lidl, but the strawberries themselves were fairly average. They weren't unpleasant by any means, but they lacked the sweetness and juiciness of the higher-ranked contenders. The flavour felt a little muted and forgettable. At £1.83 for 250g, they may suit shoppers looking for a budget option, but they didn't stand out in a crowded field.
M&S – 7/10 (£2.50, 300g)
M&S strawberries were good, but not exceptional. They looked appealing and had a fresh flavour, but I found them slightly less sweet than the Lidl and Waitrose alternatives. Some berries were excellent while others felt a little underwhelming. At £2.50 for a smaller 300g punnet, they also worked out more expensive per gram than several rivals, which affected their value-for-money score.
Waitrose – 8/10 (£2.70, 400g)
Waitrose delivered exactly what you'd expect from a premium supermarket. The berries were consistently sized, attractive and had a pleasant sweetness. They were juicy and enjoyable to eat, although they didn't quite have the same depth of flavour as Lidl's offering. At £2.70 for 400g, they are still reasonably priced and represent decent value, but they couldn't quite justify the higher price when compared with the overall winner.
Lidl – 10/10 (£2.15, 400g)
The clear winner. Lidl's strawberries were noticeably larger than the others and looked fresh without appearing artificially perfect. More importantly, they tasted fantastic. They were juicy, sweet and packed with flavour, striking the perfect balance between sweetness and freshness. The texture was firm enough that they wouldn't collapse under a dollop of cream, making them ideal for a Wimbledon-style dessert. At just £2.15 for a 400g punnet, they were also among the best value on test. If I were buying strawberries for a family gathering or summer picnic, these would be my first choice without hesitation.
I expected one of the premium supermarkets to claim the crown, but Lidl's strawberries were the standout winner. Not only were they the sweetest and juiciest of the bunch, but they were also the cheapest of the larger punnets tested. In a summer where many shoppers are looking to stretch their budgets, they prove that paying more doesn't always guarantee a better product. If you're planning on enjoying strawberries and cream during Wimbledon season, Lidl's punnet is the one I'd be putting in my shopping basket.
