Latest news with #Ginsters
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I tried supermarket Cornish pasties – my 99p own-brand winner tastes better and is cheaper than Ginsters
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. 9 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 9 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 9 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."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I tried supermarket Cornish pasties – my 99p own-brand winner tastes better and is cheaper than Ginsters
Plus we reveal more ways you can save on your supermarket shop UPPER CRUST I tried supermarket Cornish pasties – my 99p own-brand winner tastes better and is cheaper than Ginsters Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 We tested a whole range of pasties Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 Ginsters had a staggering 35g fat Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 Lynsey said: "A crowd-pleasing family pack for a good price" Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 The pasties were 18% beef Credit: Asda 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 9 Morrisons' pasties could have had more vegetables Credit: Oliver Dixon 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) 9 Lynsey said: "It was incredibly tasty" Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 Aldi's filling was bland and sloppy Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 Waitrose's pasties come to 63.5p each Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 9 Lynsey said "you could easily make a meal out of this" Credit: Oliver Dixon 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." Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
The 20 most boring foods to nibble on as Brits often suffer 'snack regret'
A study of 2,000 adults who snack found they typically reach for the same foods over and over again - resulting in over a third feeling bored by their food choices Crackers, cereal bars, and rice cakes have been crowned the dullest snacks in a survey of 2,000 adults. The research also placed biscuits, yogurt, and nuts in its 'top 20 most boring' list, with snacks that promise a quick fix often failing to deliver satisfaction. Interestingly, despite being go-to options, crisps and chocolate were also named the classics Brits have grown most tired of. Despite being bored with what's available, snacking remains a significant part of most people's routines, with more than half of respondents admitting to snacking between meals every single day. Yet only 5% dare to try a new snack weekly, while 22% experiment a few times a month. The research revealed 3pm as the most common time for snack attacks, with hunger, boredom, and habit cited as the main triggers. But the nation's nibbling habits aren't without drawbacks as 40% said they're sometimes left unsatisfied by what they choose, and 18% experience the dreaded 'snack regret' on a regular basis. The research was commissioned by Ginsters, which has launched Pockets, a new snacking range which can be enjoyed any time of the day whether you're out and about or at home. Radio presenter and Diversity member, Perri Kiely, who teamed with the Cornish brand, said: 'My snack routine is dependent on whatever I can grab in between my morning radio show and next presenting job so finding something that actually satisfies and fits in my pocket? That's a win. 'Talking to people about their snack habits showed the scale of snack regret – so many aren't satisfied whether they chose a carrot or a scotch egg.' The research looked into where snacking occurs and the factors influencing snack choices. It found the most common snacking spots included at work (30%), outdoors (14%), and even on public transport (7%). When it comes to the features people value most in a snack, taste topped the list for 44%, followed by being filling and satisfying (17%), and sheer convenience (15%). Over a third (35%) said they reach for a snack to combat an energy slump and keep going through the day. A spokesperson for Ginsters Pockets, which comes in five new street food flavours, added: 'We found that people are craving more variety and quality in their snack choices. 'It's not just about grabbing the nearest thing anymore; taste and satisfaction really matter. That's why we're focused on creating snacks that are tasty, filling and convenient, even in the middle of a hectic day.' TOP 20 MOST BORING SNACKS: Biscuits Crisps Chocolate Sweets Crackers Fruit Cereal bars Rice cakes Cake/pastries Popcorn Yoghurt Dried fruit Nuts Cold meats Cheese Sausage rolls/pasties Boiled eggs Meat snacks Dips with breadsticks or veg Ice cream
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Boring snacks Brits are fed-up of - from crackers to cereal bars
Boring snacks Brits are fed-up of - from crackers to cereal bars A poll of 2,000 adults who snack found biscuits, yogurt and nuts also made the top 20 list of dullest foods to nibble on throughout the day. A study has discovered that the peak time for snacking is at 3pm, often driven by feelings of hunger, boredom, or simply out of habit. With over half of people in Britain confess to snacking between meals every single day. However, four out of 10 find themselves regularly dissatisfied with their snack choices, and a fifth experience 'snack regret' frequently. Bland snacks like crackers, cereal bars, and rice cakes seem to top the list when it comes to lacklustre nibbling options, based on research findings. A survey of 2,000 snack-eating adults revealed that even biscuits, yogurt, and nuts are among the top 20 uninspiring snacks enjoyed during the day. Despite this only 5 per cent explore new snack options weekly or more often, some 22 per cent venture into trying new snacks a few times each month. The study was undertaken on behalf of Ginsters, who have introduced a new snacking range called Pockets, designed to be convenient for munching on the go or at home. Diversity stars Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo hit the streets of London to chat to Brits about their fave snacks (Image: PinPep ) Radio host and member of Diversity, Perri Kiely, who partnered with the Cornish company, shared: "My snack routine is dependent on whatever I can grab in between my morning radio show and next presenting job so finding something that actually satisfies and fits in my pocket? That's a win." Article continues below He added: "Talking to people about their snack habits showed the scale of snack regret – so many aren't satisfied whether they chose a carrot or a scotch egg." Additionally, the research pinpointed the most popular snacking spots, including at work, outside, and, surprisingly, on public transport. Crackers and rice cakes made the top 20 list (Image: PinPep ) Flavour won out as the key factor in quick bites, with 44 per cent of people putting taste at the top of their priority list, while 17 per cent look for a snack that is filling and satisfying, and another 15 per cent value convenience. Over a third also say they often opt for snacks when they need an energy lift. The most common go-to snacks are biscuits, crisps, and chocolate; however, these are also the snacks individuals are most weary of. A representative for Ginsters Pockets, boasting five new street food-inspired variations, stated: 'We found that people are craving more variety and quality in their snack choices. Article continues below 'It's not just about grabbing the nearest thing anymore; taste and satisfaction really matter. 'That's why we're focused on creating snacks that are tasty, filling and convenient, even in the middle of a hectic day.' Top 20 most boring snacks:
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Britain's ‘most boring snacks' revealed including rice cakes and popcorn – with chocolate making the top three
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRACKERS, cereal bars and rice cakes are among the most boring snacks to eat, according to research. A poll of 2,000 adults who snack found biscuits, yoghurt and nuts also made the top 20 list of dullest foods to nibble on throughout the day. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The results are in - Brits have voted rice cake the dullest snack Credit: PinPep 4 Despite the popularity of a Greggs pastry - cakes and pastries made the top 10 most boring snacks Credit: PinPep More than half (51 per cent) nibble on something between mealtimes every single day of the week. But 40 per cent are sometimes left unsatisfied by their snacking choices, with 18 per cent regularly suffering from "snack regret" With the most common time to reach for a treat being 3pm, with hunger (47 per cent), boredom (41 per cent) and habit (30 per cent) among the snacking triggers. The research was commissioned by Ginsters, which has launched Pockets, a new snacking range which can be enjoyed any time of the day whether you're out and about or at home. Read more Site Fight Watch moment furious man clashes with local and interrupts BBC news report Radio presenter and Diversity member, Perri Kiely, who teamed with the Cornish brand, said: 'My snack routine is dependent on whatever I can grab in between my morning radio show and next presenting job so finding something that actually satisfies and fits in my pocket? That's a win. 'Talking to people about their snack habits showed the scale of snack regret – so many aren't satisfied whether they chose a carrot or a scotch egg.' The study also found the most common places to snack were found to be at work (30 per cent), outdoors (14 per cent) and almost one in 10 (7 per cent) eat on public transport. While taste was voted the most important thing about a quick nibble (44 per cent), followed by the need for them to be filling and satisfying (17 per cent), and convenient (15 per cent). And more than a third (35 per cent) often turn to a snack when they need a quick energy boost. It also emerged the most common bites to reach for include biscuits, crisps and chocolate – but these also came top for the foods people are most bored of. 4 Shockingly, despite Brits consuming 8kg of chocolate a year, the treat was voted the third most boring afternoon nibble Credit: PinPep 4 Britain's supposedly beloved biscuits topped the list as the most uninspiring treat Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd. And yet, only five per cent try new snacks on a weekly basis or more, whereas 22 per cent do this a few times a month. And 53 per cent of those polled via have their few favourites - but generally like to mix it up. When asked what qualities the perfect snack should have, 66 per cent said a delicious taste and 23 per cent would prefer a wider variety. A spokesperson for Ginsters Pockets, which come in five new street food flavours, added: 'We found that people are craving more variety and quality in their snack choices. 'It's not just about grabbing the nearest thing anymore; taste and satisfaction really matter. 'That's why we're focused on creating snacks that are tasty, filling and convenient, even in the middle of a hectic day.'
