'We tried six supermarket ice creams and one was a game changer'
With so many supermarket own branded options now available, we couldn't resist trying a few
A classic Cornetto is a perfect treat to cool off in the summer heat
(Image: Olivia Bell Photography via Getty )
With temperatures soaring to record levels this weekend and children preparing for the school holidays, it's hardly surprising that supermarket freezers are likely to be plundered for any ice cream in sight. Our household is no exception, it appears.
As quickly as I buy these treats, the box disappears once everyone has had their share. With heatwaves becoming increasingly frequent, I wanted to find a more budget-friendly way to ensure we were never left wanting without compromising on quality.
Given the rise in living costs and the sky-high price of food, I've become more open to trying own-brand products to see if I'm truly getting value for money with branded items or am I simply paying for the packaging.
I've abandoned some brands along the way, significantly reducing my shopping bill. However, there are still some I couldn't part with - like my childhood favourite ice cream.
But, when a pack of six strawberry Cornettos is setting me back nearly £3 in some places, I decided it was time to seek a less expensive summer treat. It was all well and good when mum and dad were footing the bill, but now that I'm fending for myself, it's time to find a new favourite - and I believe I've discovered it.
I tried ice creams from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, M&S and the Co-op
(Image: Andrew Nuttall )
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On my recent shopping trip, I grabbed as many own-brand versions as I could manage and devoted an entire freezer shelf to this journalistic task. I also brought in some help to avoid eating six ice creams single-handedly - the mere thought gives me a stomachache!
I looked out to find the ultimate Cornetto-style strawberry ice cream from a selection of major supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, M&S and the Co-op. Unfortunately, Sainsbury's shelves were bare of such treats, and Lidl did not have a strawberry version available.
Beginning with the less impressive options, Asda's version was unfortunately my least favourite. It lacked depth in flavour and had nothing like the classic Cornetto toppings, save for a splash of unremarkable strawberry sauce.
The Co-op's offering didn't fare much better despite its higher cost of £1.90 for four, which is rather steep for our test. Even my mum agreed, finding them "a little bland" and noting a disappointing amount of meringue pieces in her cone.
Morrisons was a slight improvement with a tastier sauce and creamier ice cream than Asda, although it still missed any chocolate or distinctive toppings. While not terrible, it didn't dazzle us either.
Aldi Strawberry Cones were by far my favourite
(Image: Andrew Nuttall )
Choosing the best among them proved challenging. My mum sampled both M&S and Tesco offerings. Despite M&S commanding the highest price of £2.50 a box with a notable absence of any extra toppings for that money, it delivered on flavour.
My mum was especially taken with its rich strawberry taste, trumping most of the others. Tesco's new summer packaging immediately caught my eye during my shopping trip, and it was one of the more affordable options as well.
It was the first box I picked up that replaced white chocolate with meringue pieces. My dad commented that his cone was generously topped and offered a great balance of sauce, topping and ice cream throughout.
However, the ultimate discovery was the Aldi version. With the discount store, it can sometimes be a bit hit or miss whether items that have been cheekily inspired by big brands live up to the name they're trying to emulate. In this case, it certainly did.
My Aldi ice cream was the cheapest, without needing to be price-matched. It was incredibly light and creamy throughout and absolutely packed with strawberry sauce and the most meringue pieces out of any other, making the absolute most of the 28p per box treat.
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I'm not entirely converted just yet, but if I had to give up my beloved Cornetto, I'm happy knowing that there's an inexpensive and cheerful alternative available. I'm even thinking of trying some of the other flavours they had for the same price - like mint and toffee.
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