
Supermarket own-brand ketchup crowned better than Heinz in taste test – plus it's a third cheaper too
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HEINZ Ketchup is a classic for BBQs, picnics and summer parties - and it's rare to find anything just as good.
But consumer site Which? has conducted a new taste test comparing the classic brand with supermarket own brand ketchups - and it's found a bargain alternative.
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Which? tested eight supermarket own-brand ketchups versus Heinz and Hellmann's
Asda's Classic Tomato Ketchup matched Heinz in the blind taste test, with both achieving an impressive score of 77%.
At £1 for a 550g pack, it's a budget-friendly option. This works out at 18p per 100g.
Meanwhile Heinz Tomato Ketchup comes with a higher price tag of £3 for a 460g pack (or 65p per 100g).
By choosing Asda's version, you'll enjoy a ketchup rated just as delicious, but at less than a third of the cost.
The majority of testers said the Asda ketchup had well-balanced tanginess, sweetness and strength of flavour.
It also contains less salt and sugar than Heinz ketchup.
However, testers praised Heinz for being one of the most visually appealing ketchups, while also scoring highly for its texture and flavour.
As the priciest ketchup in the test, it's worth keeping an eye out for supermarket deals if you're a fan, making it a good idea to stock up when it's on offer.
The panel of 72 testers also sampled seven other supermarket own-label ketchups, along with Hellmann's.
Other supermarket versions that scored highly were Waitrose's Essential Tomato Ketchup and Aldi's Branwells Tomato Ketchup.
My kid's obsessed with Heinz ketchup but can't tell difference with £1 version
The Waitrose condiment scored 75% and testers said they loved its flavour and thickness.
It's 95p for a 470g bottle, or 20p per 100g.
Aldi's version is one of the cheapest options and scored a very reasonable 73%.
A bottle will cost you 85p for 550g, which works out at 16p per 100g.
The testers thought it had great texture and thickness, but not everyone liked the taste - only around half of people were satisfied with its sweetness and strength of flavour.
The full list of scores
HERE'S how each ketchup scored: Asda Classic Tomato Ketchup (£1 for a 550g pack) and Heinz Tomato Ketchup (£3 for a 460g pack) - 77% Waitrose Essential Tomato Ketchup (95p for a 470g bottle) - 75% Aldi Branwells Tomato Ketchup (85p for 550g) - 73% Co-op Tomato Ketchup – (£1.25 for 550g) - 72% Sainsbury's Tomato Ketchup (90p for 460g) – 71% Tesco Tomato Ketchup (£1 for 555g)) – 71% Hellmann's Tomato Ketchup (£2.15 for 473g) – 70% Lidl Batts Tomato Ketchup (89p for 560g) – 68% M&S Tomato Ketchup (£1 for 495g) – 61%
Most of the other supermarket ketchups scored similarly - but the M&S one fell behind.
Hellmann's ketchup came out as fairly average despite being one of the most expensive at £2.15 for a 473g bottle.
Jessica Carson, Which? food and health editor, said: "The perfect tangy flavour boost on chips, burgers, bacon sandwiches and so much more, it isn't hard to see why tomato ketchup is one of the nation's favourite condiments.
"The good news is that rather than forking out for the big brand version, you can get a tasty supermarket alternative for a third of the price."
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