A taste test comparing Nutella with Lidl's Simply Hazelnut Chocolate Spread found a clear winner. The big brand came out on top for its richer chocolate flavour and thicker consistency, despite being significantly more expensive.
How the spreads were compared
The two spreads were tasted under the same conditions, with a focus on appearance, texture and flavour. The comparison also considered how sweet, chocolatey and nutty each spread tasted, as well as how smooth and creamy they were.
Nutella's rich flavour and thick texture
Nutella had a rich chocolate flavour and a noticeably thicker consistency than Lidl's version. Its colour was also slightly darker, which was noticeable when comparing the two side by side.
In terms of sweetness, Nutella was not as sweet as Lidl's spread, but it did have a more noticeable nutty flavour. This gave it a noticeably different taste in comparison to Lidl's version. The texture of Nutella was smooth, making it easy to spread across toast, despite being the thicker option.
Lidl's sweeter, thinner spread
Lidl's chocolate hazelnut spread had a much thinner consistency, with the biggest noticeable difference being its texture. It felt more like melted milk chocolate than a traditional spread. It was also much lighter in colour.
The hazelnut flavour was less prominent, with the sweetness standing out more when tasting it. Overall, the spread had a sweeter, lighter taste and a much thinner consistency. Like Nutella, it had a smooth texture, which also made it very easy to spread.
The verdict
Nutella was much nicer than Lidl's version. The chocolate flavour was much richer, and its consistency was preferred over Lidl's. The Lidl spread tasted like melted cheap milk chocolate, was not very nutty and was rather quite sweet.
While Nutella is significantly more expensive, the writer paid £3.36 for 350g from Asda, while Lidl's was £1.15 for 400g. However, the writer would rather spend the extra money on something genuinely enjoyed. Its stronger flavour and thicker consistency also mean less may be needed each time, which could make the price difference feel less significant in the long run. For the writer, the extra cost is worth it when the taste and texture are noticeably better.
