In a blind taste test of orange-flavoured ice lollies from five major UK supermarkets, Tesco's Ms Molly's Fruit Flavour Ice Lollies emerged as the clear winner, scoring 9.5 out of 10 and costing just £1.20 for a pack of eight. Sainsbury's Stamford Street Co Fruit Flavour Lollies came second with a 9/10 rating at £1.25, while Marks and Spencer's Juicy Orange Pop Ups ranked lowest among the contenders at 6/10 despite a price tag of £3.40.
Tesco's Ms Molly's: A Taste of Fresh Orange
Holly Kintuka, who conducted the taste test for the article, described Tesco's offering as "honestly felt like biting into a fresh orange." She noted that the lollies, though partially broken due to heat, were "cheap, delicious, and refreshing." The supermarket's fridges were nearly empty, suggesting high demand. "I reckon this particular brand went out of stock for a reason," she added. The only minor drawback was that the lolly was slightly larger than expected, which she considered a positive.
Sainsbury's: Strong Natural Flavour
Sainsbury's lollies scored 9/10, praised for their strong orange flavour without being overly sweet. Kintuka described them as "a mixture of the Lidl and Asda's," combining a robust orange taste with natural sweetness and no watery undertone. At £1.25 for eight, they offered excellent value.
Asda: Tangy and Refreshing
Asda's Orange Juice Lollies earned an 8/10 rating. Kintuka appreciated their tangy, citrusy profile, noting that the ice component complemented rather than overpowered the orange flavour. Priced at £1.40 for six, they were deemed a solid choice for refreshment.
Lidl: Too Sweet and Artificial
Lidl's Gelatelli Orange and Cola lollies (orange flavour tested) scored 5/10. While the flavour was strong and not watery, Kintuka found it "way too sweet" and artificial compared to competitors. At £1.75 for six, they were the second most expensive and placed last.
Marks and Spencer: Overpriced and Lacking Flavour
M&S's Juicy Orange Pop Ups received a 6/10. The lollies were described as "very light orange" and not as citrusy as expected. Kintuka noted that the ice aspect overpowered the flavour, making it refreshing but lacking. At £3.40 for four, they were the most expensive and poorest value.
Conclusion: Best Value and Taste
The test concluded that Tesco's Ms Molly's lollies offered the best combination of taste and price, followed closely by Sainsbury's. Asda provided a good mid-range option, while Lidl and M&S were disappointing. For those seeking affordable refreshment during a heatwave, supermarket own-brand lollies outperform premium alternatives.
