A taste test of three Sainsbury's cheddar cheeses found the budget option to be the clear winner, scoring 5/5 over the premium organic and mid-range alternatives.
Nicola Roy, a Spare Time writer, bought three blocks of cheddar at different price levels to determine which offered the best flavour. All three were mature cheddar with the same strength rating of four.
Premium organic cheddar
The most expensive option was Sainsbury's organic cheddar, retailing at £3.50 for a 270g block. It is reportedly made by Wyke Farms in Somerset using British organic milk.
The cheese had a pleasant, sharp scent and sliced without being rubbery. Its taste was creamy with a pleasing sharpness, and there was no unpleasant aftertaste. The only drawbacks were a slight lack of depth and a somewhat dry texture. It received a rating of 3.5/5.
Mid-range mature cheddar
The mid-range option, Sainsbury's Mature British Cheddar, cost £2.50 for 220g. While smaller than the organic block, it was cheaper per kilogram.
This was described as the least favourite of the three. It was remarkably strong but failed to balance tanginess and creaminess, leaving a bitter aftertaste. The writer suggested it would work well melted in a toastie or used in cooking, such as in macaroni cheese or lasagne, but was not particularly good on its own. It scored 3/5.
Budget Stamford Street cheddar
The final cheese tested was the Stamford Street block, Sainsbury's most budget-friendly range. It weighed nearly double the mid-range cheese and cost £2.49, just one penny less.
It sliced cleanly and was described as comfortably the creamiest of the three. The flavour was excellent with a satisfying sharpness, and it was not rubbery or plasticky as the writer had feared. The value for money made it the clear favourite, earning a rating of 5/5.
