The festive season wouldn’t be complete without a delicious mince pie. These sweet, pastry-wrapped treats, filled with rich, spiced mincemeat, are a Christmas staple. But with countless varieties flooding supermarket shelves, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect pie. To help you navigate this festive dilemma, we embarked on a taste test of the cheapest mince pies from Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, and Amazon, all under the £2 mark (except for Amazon’s at £2.90). Let’s dive into our findings and crown the ultimate mince pie champion.
Sainsbury’s:
This festive contender stood out with a unique design – a pastry-covered top adorned with a Christmas tree. While visually appealing, this extra pastry unfortunately detracted from the mincemeat flavor. The pie was also less sweet than its rivals, which might be appealing to some. Available for £1.70 for six, these pies are a decent option, but the design might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Asda:
Asda’s mince pies, priced at £1.50 for six, landed in the middle of the pack. While the mincemeat-to-pastry ratio was satisfying, and the sweetness was just right, the texture was a bit of a letdown. Our taste testers found them slightly stodgy and a little challenging to chew, which ultimately kept them from claiming the top spot.
Tesco:
Tesco’s mince pies, also priced at £1.50 for six, unfortunately didn’t impress. The strong spice content, while potentially appealing to some, was too overpowering for our taste testers. While the texture was acceptable, the pies were quite claggy and took a long time to chew and swallow.
Morrisons:
The cheapest of the bunch, Morrisons’ mince pies, priced at just £1.45 for six, stole the show. Despite their unassuming box, these pies delivered a winning combination of taste, texture, and a perfect mincemeat-to-pastry ratio. Our taste testers found them to be incredibly sweet, with a delightful texture that would be perfectly complemented by a dollop of cream.
Amazon:
At £2.90 a box, Amazon’s mince pies boasted a visually appealing presentation with a festive box and snowflake-topped pies. The mincemeat filling was generous, but the alcohol content was a bit overpowering. These pies contain French brandy and ruby port, along with festive spices, which, while delicious for some, were too strong for our taste testers.So, there you have it! Morrisons takes the crown for the most delicious and affordable mince pie. Whether you’re looking for a classic sweet treat or a slightly more boozy option, there’s a mince pie out there for everyone. Happy holidays, and happy eating!
