I put Sainsbury's Taste the Difference strawberries to the test against the standard range to see if the premium price is really worth it. My curiosity was piqued while browsing in Sainsbury's and spotting that the Taste the Difference British Strawberries were available on a three for two promotion for Nectar Card holders in store.
With the deal proving highly sought-after, I only managed to purchase the Taste the Difference strawberries for £2.75, alongside a pack of standard ones for £2.25 on a Nectar Price. Berries are a household favourite here, with my two and a half year old daughter requesting them at most mealtimes. And with her currently in a fussy phase, fruit is carrying the load in the fruit and veg consumption department right now.
Differences in Quality and Packaging
Both punnets of strawberries had identical best before dates and originated from two separate farms across the UK. There were, nevertheless, several distinctions between them. While the regular strawberries were Class 1, the Taste the Difference variety was extra class, which signifies flawless, premium produce. Class 1 denotes good, standard supermarket-quality fruit. According to the packaging of the Taste the Difference range, the berries are "hand selected, perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy".
Taste Test Results
Upon examining the berries there wasn't much variation between them, apart from a few stray leaves in the cheaper punnet. However, upon tasting them, I could detect that there was a distinction between the two. While they were both premium quality, juicy, sweet and refreshing, you could simply tell that the Taste the Difference punnet were ideally ripe and had greater firmness to them. The less expensive punnet practically dissolved in your mouth due to its softness, while the pricier option almost had a crispness as you bit into it.
Promotion Details and Recipe
Sainsbury's is reducing the price of summer berries with a new Nectar Prices 3-for-2 mix and match across selected Taste the Difference berries and cherries. From June 24 to July 14, customers can choose three from selected British strawberries and raspberries, along with blueberries and cherries, with the least expensive item free. Richard Crampton, Sainsbury's Commercial Director, Fresh and Convenience, stated: "British berries are one of the real highlights of the season and this offer is a brilliant way for customers to enjoy exceptional taste at great value. We work closely with specialist growers, with many on a long-term basis, to bring customers fruit selected for sweetness, juiciness and flavour, with all our Taste the Difference strawberries and raspberries sourced from UK farms. Whether it's strawberries and cream, a picnic or a simple dessert, this is all about helping customers make the most of great-tasting seasonal fruit for less."
As part of the new Nectar deal, Sainsbury's has unveiled a special recipe featuring summer berries. The "swavory" salad combines berries, salad leaves, and a sweet and tangy vinaigrette complemented by creamy Greek Feta cheese. Ingredients for the salad include Taste the Difference berries (blueberries, strawberries or raspberries), 120g of crumbled Greek Feta, one bag of mixed salad leaves and a handful of Walnut Halves. For the vinaigrette: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, cider vinegar, Canadian maple syrup, Dijon mustard, 1tsp of Echalion Shallots finely chopped, and a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper. Sainsbury's advises storing the vinaigrette separately and keeping the leaves in their bag until you are ready to serve, whether at home or on a picnic, to ensure everything stays fresh.
