M&S 'Only... Ingredients' Range Put to the Taste Test
A trusted food reviewer has recently sampled various items from Marks & Spencer's innovative new 'Only... ingredients' range. This collection focuses on products with as few components as possible, eliminating what the supermarket chain describes as 'unnecessary' additives. The central question remains: do these simplified offerings still deliver on flavour?
The Reviewer and Her Mission
Becca, known online as 'BeccaEatsEverything' to her 569,000 TikTok followers, is no stranger to food critiques. She regularly tests and compares supermarket items to help her audience find the best value. In a recent video, she embarked on a mission to evaluate M&S's latest foray into minimal-ingredient foods. "M&S have got a new range out, so let's try it and see what it tastes like," she announced, showcasing a tray of products from the 'Only X ingredients' line. The range emphasises a back-to-basics approach, utilising common store cupboard ingredients.
Crisps and Yoghurts: High Scores for Simplicity
Becca began with the avocado oil crisps, priced at £3.90. Containing just potatoes, avocado oil, and sea salt, they defied expectations. She noted they didn't taste of avocado but were 'really good quality crisps', perfectly seasoned, earning an impressive nine and a half out of ten.
The raspberry yoghurt, costing £2.50 for a 450g pot, contains only five ingredients: Greek-style yoghurt and a compote of raspberries, honey, water, and lemon juice. Becca found it "a really nice yoghurt" with subtle raspberry, honey, and lemon notes, also scoring it nine and a half out of ten. However, the rhubarb yoghurt, with a similar five-ingredient list, was less successful. Becca described it as 'tangy' and disliked the rhubarb flavour, giving it a five out of ten.
Bread and Condiments: Mixed Reactions
Moving to bread, Becca tried the Sunflower Seed and Spelt Sliced Toasting Loaf and the White Sliced Toasting Loaf, both priced at £2.25. The sunflower seed loaf was "pretty good bread" but somewhat bland, scoring six out of ten. The white loaf had a nice texture but was also considered bland for the price, earning six and a half out of ten. A pack of four white rolls (£2.00) fared better, praised for being "really soft and fluffy" with a nice wheat flavour, though needing more salt, scoring eight out of ten.
For condiments, the tomato ketchup (£2.25) had a sharp, full-bodied tomato taste, scoring six and a half out of ten. The olive oil mayonnaise (£4.50) had 'amazing' flavours but was very salty, resulting in a six out of ten.
Snacks and Cereals: Surprises and Letdowns
The dark chocolate and almond date bar, with ingredients like date paste and dark chocolate, was a pleasant surprise. Becca praised the chocolate coating and the sweetness from the dates, saying, "I'm so surprised how good this tastes with minimal ingredients," and gave it nine out of ten.
In the cereal category, the corn flakes, containing only corn, were disappointing. Becca compared them to a 'bad bran flake' with little flavour, scoring just three and a half out of ten. The multigrain hoop cereal scored five and a half out of ten, while the choco hoops, with a better texture and sweet cocoa flavour, earned seven and a half out of ten, though they might lack impact with milk.
Meat Products: The Standout Winner
The meat items, free from additives like wheat, were a mixed bag. The sausages had a tough skin but a flavour heavy on black pepper, scoring six out of ten. The meatballs, made from British beef, salt, and pepper, were too salty and lacked flavour, also scoring six out of ten.
However, the beef burger was the star of the show. Containing only beef, salt, and pepper, Becca declared she had hit the 'burger jackpot'. "That's hands down the best tasting burger I've ever had," she exclaimed, awarding it a perfect ten out of ten. This item alone made the range worth exploring for many consumers.
Conclusion: Is the Range Worth It?
Becca's comprehensive review reveals that M&S's 'Only... ingredients' range offers a spectrum of quality. While some products, like the cereals and certain breads, may not justify their price, others, such as the crisps, yoghurts, and particularly the beef burger, demonstrate that minimal ingredients can still equate to maximum flavour. For health-conscious shoppers seeking simplicity without sacrificing taste, this range presents several compelling options.
