When doing your weekly food shop, it is always worth weighing up your options before committing to a particular supermarket. Price is typically the deciding factor when choosing where to spend your money, but quality is equally important to consider.
Why Iceland Grapes Win Every Time
For my main weekly shop, which includes milk, eggs, meat, pasta, rice and bread, Sainsbury's is my usual destination. When I need a smaller shop with the finest-tasting produce, Marks & Spencer is my first choice. However, there is one everyday item I will always purchase from Iceland: grapes.
Grapes are the most popular fruit in my household, and we tend to get through several multipacks each week. Thanks to this grape obsession, I have sampled the fruit from virtually every supermarket going, and Iceland has consistently come out on top.
The Taste Test
Below, I explain in detail why Iceland reigns supreme. To carry out this taste test, I sampled both red and white grapes from Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Iceland. I consumed the grapes both at room temperature and straight from the fridge to establish which offered the superior crunch, flavour, juiciness and visual appeal.
3. Marks & Spencer
A pack of seedless white or red grapes at M&S will cost you £2.50. These grapes are largely consistent in size, providing a satisfying bite every time. They are impressively crunchy both at room temperature and chilled from the fridge, with the white grapes boasting the finest crunch. However, the flavour and juiciness fall noticeably short when compared to those from the other supermarkets. The grapes are rather bland and missing the sweetness that makes grapes so addictive and tasty. If I were purchasing grapes at Marks and Spencer, I would opt for their flavoured grapes selection, which includes cotton candy grapes and tutti frutti.
2. Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's grapes come in slightly cheaper than M&S's, at £2 each for both types. These grapes are very small and circular, but compared to those from all three retailers, they show better uniformity in appearance. Among all the supermarkets, these Sainsbury's grapes do not deliver the finest crunch. That said, flavour-wise, they surpass M&S by being both juicy and sweet. The red grapes outperformed the white in terms of taste, though both have room for improvement. I would suggest consuming these grapes as chilled as you can to get the most from their flavour. I would also choose their black sable grapes, which are tastier than their red and white options.
1. Iceland
From flavour to consistency to cost, Iceland provides the ideal complete package for fruit. For the mixed bag of grapes, the supermarket charges £2.50, but on Uber Eats, I bought them for £1.40. The supermarket also provides "25% extra free". This means shoppers will get a bigger quantity of grapes for the same cost. Despite not having the most appealing appearance, as they can occasionally look bruised or come in varying sizes, these grapes are incredibly delicious. At either temperature, these grapes provide a satisfying crunch, though they are at their finest when chilled. Both white and red varieties are sweet and exceptionally juicy, making them incredibly addictive. The white grapes have a slightly sharper taste than the red ones, but they are bigger and crunchier.
Do you agree with my ranking? Where do you shop for fruit? Let us know in the comments below.
