M&S own-brand fish fingers have beaten Birds Eye in a blind taste test, scoring a perfect 5 out of 5. The test compared five supermarket own-brands and Birds Eye, with M&S emerging as the top choice despite being the most expensive at £2.50.
Test Methodology
All fish fingers were cooked for 12-14 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius in the oven to ensure a fair comparison. The reviewer, Emily Malia, assessed each product on flavour, texture, and overall value.
Asda: 3/5
Asda's standard orange-coloured breadcrumbs were crispy and crumbly, but the taste was simple and lacked strong fish flavour. The texture was melt-in-your-mouth, but the fingers were light, leaving the reviewer wanting more. Price: not specified.
M&S: 5/5
M&S delivered a top-tier fish finger with a strong, chewy texture that felt like real protein. The batter was crispy but thinner than Asda's. At £2.50, it is more expensive than Birds Eye (£2.10), but the reviewer deemed it worth the cost.
Sainsbury's: 2/5
Sainsbury's fish fingers were half the thickness of M&S, with a higher breadcrumb-to-fish ratio. The flavour was similar to Asda's, but the texture was neither melt-in-your-mouth nor chewy. At 80p, the reviewer suggested grilling might improve results.
Birds Eye: 4/5
Birds Eye fish fingers were thinner and lighter in colour but chewier and tastier. The batter was crispier and less crumbly, offering a traditional, nostalgic style. The reviewer noted M&S still beat them, but Birds Eye is a trusted option for 40p less.
Tesco: 4/5
Tesco's fish fingers offered creamy, subtle fish flavour with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and less chew. However, they were mushier and less crispy than others, falling apart easily and sticking to the tray. Despite this, they were deemed a great cheaper alternative.
