I tried supermarket Cornish pasties – my 99p own-brand winner tastes better and is cheaper than Ginsters

The Sun

3 days ago

A WHOPPING 120 million Cornish pasties are baked every year in the UK, making them one of the nation's favourite snacks.
Genuine bakes must be made in the namesake country, contain at least 12.5 per cent beef and 25 per cent root veg.
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But not all of us can make it to the South West to try one, so how do the supermarket options measure up?
LYNSEY HOPE finds out:
Ginsters Original Cornish Pasty (227g)
£1.95 (£1.95 each)
Nutrition: 597 calories, 35g fat, 3.7g sugar, 2.1g salt
Lynsey says: "Given the high price and the somewhat shocking calorie, fat and sugar content, I didn't want to like these.
"But I did.
"There was a good filling with 15% British beef as well as the traditional potato, swede and onion.
"It was big with a staggering 35g fat and nearly 600 calories - and very filling - definitely a meal as opposed to a snack.
"The pastry was rich and flavoursome though I didn't like the added turmeric.
"Why mess with a classic?"
Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 8/10
Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains
Tesco Cornish Pasties (520g)
£2.50 for 4 (62.5p each)
Nutrition: 364 calories, 23.3g fat, 9.5g fat, 2.6g sugar, 0.98g fat
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Lynsey says: "These pasties came out smelling very appetising and they had a lovely pepperiness on the tongue.
"They are huge, proper wedges, and I liked the flakiness of the puff pastry.
"There's a good helping of beef at 18 per cent and these had one of the highest levels of swede, at nine per cent.
"A crowd-pleasing family pack for a good price."
Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 9/10
Asda Cornish Pasties (520g)
£2.74 for 4 (68.5p each)
Nutrition: 364 calories, 23g fat, 2.3g sugar, 0.86g salt
Lynsey says: 'Not the tastiest but they are good value and they are filled with a generous 18 per cent beef.
"The filling was dense but a lot of it was onion and it was definitely lacking in swede.
"It's alright for a meal or snack but I fear pasty purists would not like this.'
Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Overall score: 4/10
Morrisons Cornish Pasties (520g)
£3.20 (80p each)
Nutrition: 373 calories, 25.1g fat, 2.1g sugar, 1.16g salt
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Lynsey says: "Very similar to the Tesco pasties with a generous 19 per cent beef.
"The pastry was well cooked and they gave a nice peppery hit on the tongue.
"Perhaps too much spud - I'd have preferred more vegetables.
"Whilst there was seven per cent swede, there was no carrot that I could detect and too much onion.
"Overly salty, too.
"Over 17p more each than the Tesco pasties and not as nice."
Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 6/10
M&S Cornish Pasties (300g)
£3.50 for 2 (£1.75 each)
Lynsey says: 'Unlike lots of other pasties we tried, this one was made with flaky pastry.
"It was a little fragile with lots of pastry breaking off when I tried to heat it in the oven.
"It was incredibly tasty though.
"The pastry was well-baked and the pasty itself was generously filled with heaps of meat, potato and swede.
"The meat is beef skirt, as per the traditional recipe, which made this juicy and lovely.
"Pricey - but a cut above the other supermarket options.'
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 9/10
Aldi Crestwood Beef and Vegetable Pasty (200g)
69p for 1 (69p each)
Nutrition: 544 calories, 28.5g fat, 3.1g sugar, 1.55g salt
Lynsey says: 'Aldi's pasty has a Devon 'crimp' which means it is sealed on the top rather than traditional Cornish-style on the side.
"It looks great, very substantial and you can't argue with the price.
"But the filling was bland and sloppy.
"It was lacking meaty flavour and the chunky texture you'd expect.
"Although there was 17 per cent beef, it was potato heavy and the carrots and swede inside were a bit mulchy.
"Very high in fat and calorific too."
Taste: 2/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 5/10
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Waitrose Mini Cornish Pasties (180g)
£3.75 for 6 (63.5p each)
Nutrition: 90 calories, 5.60g fat, 0.60g sugar, 0.19g salt
Lynsey says: "Little pockets of delicious pastry but filled with air.
"The filling was nice but there was really only a teaspoon in each one.
"I enjoyed them immensely and loved the tiny size for a snack.
"They were incredibly moreish and I kept eating one every time I opened the fridge.
"I liked the meaty flavour of the beef and there was lots of swede.
"Whilst they contained palm oil like many of the others, it was sustainable.
"However, for the price, I'd have liked them to be fuller."
Taste: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 7/10
Lidl Chef Select Cornish Pasty (200g)
99p (99p each)
Nutrition: 597 calories, 35g fat, 3.7g sugar, 2.1g salt
Lynsey says: " Lidl 's pasty was hefty and one of the most appetising on offer.
"After 20 minutes in the oven, the pastry was really nice and flaky and the filling was hearty and flavoursome.
"The meat was tender and not chewy and there as no gristle.
"Surprisingly, it was more expensive for a single pasty than many others, but it was huge so I still felt for less than a £1 it was excellent value for money.
"You could easily make a meal out of this."