Aldi's own-brand brown sauce has been declared the winner in a taste test, beating the market leader HP by offering superior flavour at a fraction of the price. The Bramwells sauce costs just 99p, compared to HP's £3.60 in Tesco, making it more than £2 cheaper.
Taste Test Criteria and Methodology
The test evaluated brown sauces from M&S, Waitrose, Aldi, and ASDA based on consistency, colour, taste, and price. HP sauce was included as the benchmark. All own-brand options were priced under HP's £3.60.
HP Sauce - £3.60
HP sauce, originally produced in Birmingham until 2007, is a British classic. It offers a tangy, fruity flavour that cuts through fried food. However, the test found that Aldi's version matches or exceeds HP's taste.
Aldi Bramwells Brown Sauce - 99p
Aldi was the clear standout winner. The sauce had a solid, full body and was packed with flavour. All the malty, fruity notes are identifiable, with a strong top note of cinnamon that some may love. The reviewer stated it is "just as good if not better than the original HP brand" and will be bought again. At 99p, it is the cheapest sauce tested and "pretty much indistinguishable from its £3.60 forefather."
Waitrose Brown Sauce - £1.15
Waitrose's sauce was watery and lacked flavour, making it the weakest overall. The reviewer noted it was "passable" but not worth buying again.
M&S Brown Sauce - £1.15
M&S's sauce had a distinct gravy-like flavour and a strange aftertaste, lacking the tang expected from brown sauce. The consistency was good, but it was not a favourite.
ASDA Brown Sauce - £1.22
ASDA's sauce had a strong tang and full flavour but was very watery, affecting the flavour per dip. The reviewer preferred HP and would pay the premium.
Final Rankings
The ranking placed Aldi first, followed by HP, ASDA, M&S, and Waitrose last. Aldi provided the best HP dupe and overtakes HP in flavour, offering amazing value for money. For anyone seeking a budget-friendly brown sauce, Aldi is the recommended choice.
