A blind taste test of supermarket salted crisps has yielded surprising results, with two own-brand varieties outperforming premium names Kettle and Tyrrells. The test, conducted by a crisp enthusiast and their partner, sampled seven products from Lidl, M&S, Asda, Co-op, Tesco, alongside the branded contenders.
Co-op's crisps emerged as the clear winner, praised for their ideal balance of seasoning and satisfying crunch. Both tasters independently ranked them first, noting they 'comfortably outshine both Kettle and Tyrrells'. Asda's premium range came a close second, offering a robust, punchy saltiness that appealed to salt enthusiasts.
Lidl's offering delivered a satisfying crunch and saltier profile than Kettle crisps, though seasoning distribution was inconsistent. M&S crisps struck a good balance of saltiness without being greasy, while Kettle crisps were deemed not salty enough for those who prefer a bold flavour.
Tesco finished bottom of the rankings, with tasters finding the flavour virtually non-existent and the crisps bland. The test used a crinkle-cut version as the standard premium crisp was unavailable. Tyrrells crisps were not included in the final ranking as they were used as a benchmark but not directly compared in the blind test.
