Latest news with #LynseyHope
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I tried own-brand Twister ice lollies – the supermarket winner impressed my kids and cost £1.29 a pack
A PACK of ice lollies is a must in every parents' freezer over the summer. And the h umble Twister has long been a family favourite, regularly topping polls as one of our top choices. 6 However a pack of six will now set you back around £3, depending on where you shop - and they're tiny! The Walls' lollies are 20ml smaller than most of the supermarket own brands. But how do they stack up on taste? Lynsey Hope investigates... Walls Twister Mini 6 I loved the flavour of these. They are a real unusual mix of strawberry, lemon and pineapple - but it works. They are quite unique and they also have ice cream rather than just pure lolly which elevates them above many of the own brands. They are not too sugary and low in fat so they are a great option for smaller children. But my 10-year-old would huff at this as it's so tiny. Costing nearly 50p each, you really don't get much for your money. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 8/10 Asda Fruit Spiral Lollies £1.38 for 5, Asda (27.6p each) Nutrition per lolly: 46 calories, less than 0.5g fat, 8.5g sugar, less than 0.01g salt Size: 70ml A brilliant size, these look really impressive and they were quite refreshing on a hot day. However, whilst they cooled me down I felt they were a bit lacking in flavour. These need a fruity boost to make them more appealing. Sadly, although a wallet-friendly price, they weren't anything special. Taste: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 Tesco Fruity Helter Skelters £1.29 for 5, Tesco (25.8p each) Nutrition per lolly: 48 calories, 0.2g fat, 9.6g sugar, 0.04g salt Size: 70ml These looked almost identical to the Asda lollies but they contained a tiny bit more juice and tasted a little fruitier. The kids were impressed - they were among the first to be grabbed from the ice cream draw. They are a good size and not too high in sugar. They are slightly better value than Asda too, costing just over 25p each. Plus, they didn't melt too quickly and were really refreshing in the warm weather with a lovely fruity taste. These are a great choice overall and my winner from this test. Taste: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10 M&S Super Loop Lollies £2.50 for 5, Ocado (50p each) Nutrition per lolly: 49 calories, 0.1g fat, 9.5g sugar, 0.01g salt Size: 50ml A delicious mix of orange, pineapple and strawberry flavours, I loved these and they looked really pretty, if a little small. The fruity flavours were delicious and refreshing to eat. Sadly they are a bit pricey at 50p per lolly, which makes them more expensive than Walls and they are the same mini size. I'd have given them a better rating if they were a bit bigger. Nevertheless, they were devoured in seconds. Taste: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 7/10 Aldi Gianni's Fruit Spiral Lollies £1.29 for 5, Aldi (25.8p each) Nutrition per lolly: 54 calories, 0.1g fat, 11g sugar, 0.02g salt Size: 70ml Aldi 's spiral lollies tasted a lot fruitier than other options, with delicious notes of orange, pineapple, apple and lemon. The colours were appealing and they were a good size AND an even better price, costing just over 25p each. They did contain some glucose syrup to sweeten them up a bit but I have to say I did like the flavour. Lovely, bargain lollies and a great option for feeding the masses. Taste: 3/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 8/10 How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
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."
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I shopped at B&M and Home Bargains… but which store had the best bargains for lowest prices?
ON the high street, a battle of the bargains is raging and busy mums can't get enough of discount stores B&M and Home Bargains. Writer and mum-of-three Lynsey Hope compares 15 everyday essentials from each – and reveals which one offers the best value. 1 From baby wipes and toothpaste to crisps and shampoo, discount giant B&M is a treasure trove for families wanting to stock up on everyday essentials. Not only does the budget chain sell cleaning and beauty products at rock-bottom prices, but they also stock oodles of edible goods, such as chocolate and crisps – the sort of snacks most families devour by the bagful. As a busy working mum with three children - Jacob, ten, Olive, eight, and Ivy, five - B&M has become one of my favourite places to pick up a variety of goods I use all the time. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, I'm always on the lookout for best buys for the whole family, whether that's cereal, batteries or washing-up liquid. All of us mums love a bargain and these stores often sell items even cheaper than you would find in the supermarket. But is B&M really the best place for bargains? Its biggest rival, Home Bargains, is experiencing record growth. Profits grew by 34.2 per cent to a record £434million in the year to June 2024. There were a staggering 617 stores across the UK at the end of 2024 — 23 more than the previous year. More Home Bargains outlets are due to open in Watford and Newport this summer, while other retailers struggle. B&M, for example, issued a profit warning last month and said like-for-like sales were down by 3.1 per cent. But they still have 686 stores in the UK with a plan to expand to 1,200 sites in the next few years So, when it comes to B&M versus Home Bargains, which one offers better value? I bought a basket of 15 essentials at each shop and tallied up how much they cost on the day. It's worth noting that these prices can fluctuate, so while this comparison reflects what I paid at the time, costs may vary depending on when you shop. Here's what happened when I took to the aisles to investigate . . . B&M Home Bargains LYNSEY'S VERDICT I WAS really surprised to find that Home Bargains was cheaper than B&M. I shopped around for lots of items and many things like washing up liquid, fabric conditioner and shampoo were the same price in both stores. However, Home Bargains did have some everyday stuff at lower prices. I picked up some sun cream, batteries and baby wipes all a bit cheaper at Home Bargains. It's only a small saving, but given I get through a lot of these, it's definitely a saving worth having. Even a pouch of Quality Street was 51p cheaper than it was at B&M, and one of my favourite sheet masks – a real mum treat – was 30p cheaper. Lots of this stuff was 'on offer', so I'll have to go back to see if these bargain prices continue. I shopped at both stores at around 4pm, so it's possible B&M would have discounted further if I'd gone closer to the 10pm closing time. Food products seemed cheaper at Home Bargains, but the candle I picked up was cheaper at B&M. There was only a penny in it, but they also had a much better selection of gifts and home products, such as photo frames and towels. There was also a better selection of toys. I didn't buy anything this time, but with lots of children's parties coming up, I'd definitely go back to B&M for those. More importantly, both stores offered much lower prices than most supermarkets. The six pack of Walkers crisps was £1.95 in both stores. These would set you back £2.20 at Morrisons and Sainsburys, £2.15 at Tesco and £2 at Asda. And the tiny tin of Vaseline was cheaper here than it would be if you bought it from Sainsbury's, Ocado or Waitrose. The sun cream I chose – £6.49 in Home Bargains – would cost you £7.50 at Boots. WATCH FOR PROMOTIONS CONSUMER expert Helen Dewdney, of says: "BOTH shops usually offer good value for money. However, it really depends on what it is you want to buy as to which one will work for you. "For everyday essential food stuffs, like bread and canned goods, Home Bargains may offer better deals. "Conversely, for household items and toiletries, B&M might provide more savings. "To ensure you are getting the best prices, you have to carefully compare the different items. Neither store has universal pricing across items, so consumers should compare individual items and if you want it buy it before it goes as stock can vary. "Sometimes you have to be lucky as B&M often discounts items later in the day, bringing the price to lower than Home Bargains. Of course, Home Bargains may also discount some food items later in the day. "Both have frequent promotions, but it's only a saving if you need the item – so be careful of buying something just because it is on promotion. "B&M has one advantage over Home Bargains in that it has an app with a barcode scanner where you can uncover discounts in store. Both run promotions, so check on websites and signs. "Be careful of sizes and multi-pack deals which may be cheaper in the supermarket."
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I tried out all the best Iceland dupes for McDonald's, Magnum ice creams and Bird's Eye – ones tastes EXACTLY the same
Plus we reveal more ways to save money on food costs TREAT TIME I tried out all the best Iceland dupes for McDonald's, Magnum ice creams and Bird's Eye – ones tastes EXACTLY the same Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ICELAND are hoping to lure in shoppers with a new range of frozen meals which are 'dupes' of McDonald's favourites. As well as a cheeseburger in a box, the budget chain are also offering a BBQ Chicken and Bacon Wrap and a Sweet Chilli Chicken wrap - both with seasoned fries. 14 Lynsey Hope tested McDonald's dupes and was surprised by the results A spokesman said: "Our newly stocked Snacksters range is the perfect fakeaway alternative. The new additions, including our 'Smile in a Box' product are a great way for shoppers to save money without compromising on quality or taste. "They taste just as good as you'd get at any fast-food chain!' Lynsey Hope tested to see how they compare to the real deal - and selects her favourite Iceland 'dupes'. Snacksters Cheese Burger Smile in a Box (240g) £3 14 Lynsey found the Burger Box to be "good value" Lynsey says: "A meal kit that is great value for money, offering a sesame topped bun, a cooked seasoned beef burger and a processed cheese slice. "Plus, pre-fried thin cut potato chips in a lightly seasoned batter and cookie dough with milk chocolate chunks. "The McDonald's cheeseburger alone would set you back £1.39 so with the extra bits, I thought this was good value. "Taste wise it was a really good copy, too. Almost the same as you get at Maccy D's. The kids loved the packaging and have asked me to buy again." RATING: 5/5 Belgian Milk Chocolate Majestics (334g) £2 for 4 (50p each) 14 Majestics were "almost as identical" as the big brand version Lynsey says: "These look almost identical to a Magnum, taste lovely and offer a great saving on the branded ice creams. "If you buy a pack of four for £2, they work out at just 50p each where Magnums cost £3.50 and come in a box of just three, working out around £1.16 each. "If I was being really picky, I'd say the vanilla ice cream was slightly less creamy and the chocolate a little thinner. But no one else even noticed the difference." RATING: 4/5 Iceland Takeaway Stuffed Crust Double Pepperoni Pizza (445g) £2.60 14 Take Away Pepperoni Pizza was a hit Lynsey says: "Chicago Town pizza's are a favourite in my house but even a medium will cost you between £3.50 and £4, depending on where you shop. "Taste wise this was good. It had more pepperoni in comparison and a stuffed crust, and only cost £2.60. A great addition to the freezer." RATING: 4/5 Treat Stop Fruit Rainbowz (180g) £1 (56p per 100g) 14 Fruit Rainbowz sweets didn't rate as high as they could've done Lynsey says: "Tear open this bag and you get the sugary aroma of branded skittles and they look virtually identical. "They work out better value too. The bag is £1 where as Skittles are currently 98p for a 136g, but you get plenty more off them. "The colours are slightly off. There are some black sweets rather than purple and taste wise, they are less chewy and a bit harder going on the teeth." RATING: 2/5 Meatball Marinara Sub Roll (201g) £2.50 14 Meatball Marinara wasn't as "big or as filling" but surprised Lynsey on taste Lynsey says: "Who doesn't love a Meatway sub, but the famous chain are charging £7.45 for their footlong option. "Taste wise, this is a great copy. Whilst nowhere near as big or filling, it tastes just as delicious and is a fraction of the price. "It only takes a total of 12 minutes in the air fryer too and was easy to prepare in the comfort of your own home." RATING: 4/5 Treat Stop Peanut Choco Nutz (170g) £1 (59p per 100g) Lynsey says: "M&M's are my son's favourite so we spend a lot on them and a small 125g bag costs £1.75 in most shops - and there are never enough in the bag. These are a pretty good copy and only cost a £1 and you get lots extra. They offer a great saving costing just 59p per 100g compared to the branded sweets, which sot £1.40 per 100g." RATING: 3/5 Snacksters 20 Chicken Nuggets (390g) £3.50 14 Chicken Nuggets didn't rate highly in Lynsey's opinion £3.50 Lynsey says: "Not quite as good as McNuggets in my opinion but they are half the price. "Buy them at the fast food chain and a box of 20 would cost you £6.99 so these are excellent value. The coating was the same and they had the same salty flavour. "The texture of the chicken was a bit thicker. Not bad though and an excellent price." RATING: 3/5 Authentic Swedish Meatballs (750g) £5 (£6.67 per 1kg) 14 Swedish Meatballs tasted exactly the same as Ikea's version Lynsey says: "A kg of meatballs at Ikea will cost you £7.96 so these are good value and taste wise, you can't tell the difference. "They taste exactly like the frozen ones you'd buy at the furniture store. "Super easy to prepare too, taking just eight minutes in an air fryer. The kids lapped them up. For a quick and easy meal, I'd buy these again." RATING: 4/5 Snacksters BBQ Chicken and Bacon Wrap and Fries (286g) £3 14 The BBQ Chicken Wrap and Fries tasted "spot on" for Lynsey Lynsey says: "Taste wise this is spot on. It tastes a lot like the McDonald's wrap and for only £3, you get chips with it. "The wrap alone costs £3.49 at McDonald's. It takes nine minutes in an air fryer and then you have to put it together yourself but it took minimal effort. "There wasn't any salad in the box even though there is in the picture, so unless you buy that yourself and add in, it won't look exactly as the picture. "There's not as much chicken as the McDonald's option either, but it was reasonable and I felt it was good value." RATING: 4/5 Snacksters Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap and Fries (278g) £3 14 The fries needed longer than the cooking instructions Lynsey says: "Again, you need to buy the salad separately but this too was easy to prepare taking just ten minutes in an air fryer. "There isn't as much chicken as in the McDonald's wrap but it's only £3 compared to the chain's price of £3.49. "The fries were a bit lacking. The seasoning was nice but they were needed a bit longer cooking than per instructions." RATING: 4/5 Iceland Minced Beef and Onion Crispy Pancakes £1 for 4 14 Iceland's Minced Beed and Onion pancakes were a hit on the taste front Lynsey says: "The Bird's Eye version of these will set you back £2.50 and I promise you, you'll never know the difference. "They taste EXACTLY the same. The coating perhaps cooked a little darker but if you like these, they are a real bargain at just £1. "They come in a range of flavours too including cheese and ham and cheese. You can't go wrong." RATING: 5/5 Nutini Chocolino Twins £1 for 3 x 45g 14 Chocoline Twins found these weren't cheaper than the big name brand Lynsey says: "An alternative to Kinder but they were more wafer than chocolate and actually, although they are bigger they are not cheaper. "You can get four Kinder's for 85p and they are bigger. On this one, I'd rather buy the brand." RATING: 2/5 Marshmallow Cookie O's (300g) £2.50 14 Cookieo's cereal contained more sugar than the big brand Lynsey says: "Not as delicious as the Oreo cereal and worth noting that 100g of this contains a whopping 36g sugar - even more than the sweet brand, which has 27g. How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop. "If you're struggling on price though and the kids want a treat, it's very sweet and they won't complain about having to eat this. "Price wise, it's £1.50 cheaper, though you get 50g less in the box." RATING: 2/5 Iceland Natural Greek Style Yogurt (450g) Iceland Natural Greek Style Yogurt (450g) £1 14 Iceland's Greek yoghurt was "lovely and creamy" Lynsey says: "A lovely thick, Greek yoghurt. No bitter taste and lovely and creamy. "It's a bargain when you consider the same size tub of Yeo Valley will cost you £2.15 - more than double. "An excellent saving and a must for households who go through a lot of yogurt." RATING: 4/5 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
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers slam ‘overpriced' viral Dubai-style bar as ‘worst-rated' chocolate including Marks & Spencer's own-label take
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS have blasted M&S and Lindt for selling "Dubai-style" chocolate bars that they say are underwhelming and over-priced. The two luxury own-label bars, which take inspiration from a viral Middle Eastern snack, are among the worst-rated chocolate products on Ocado. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 M&S's Big Daddy Pistachio, launched in April, has received a 3.1-star rating out of five on Ocado 3 Lindt's Dubai-style chocolate bar has received a 2.8-star rating out of five on Ocado Credit: Lindt These two bars even rank below Munchies Orange Sharebag, Werther's Original Chocolate Covered Caramels and Wagon Wheels Original, as revealed by The Grocer. M&S' £8.50 Big Daddy Pistachio was launched with fanfare on ITV's This Morning on April 23. This was advertised as a spin-off on last year's sell-out Big Daddy chocolate bar. But Ocado shoppers gave it just 3.1 stars out of five, with fewer than half saying they would recommend it. One user, who gave the bar a one-star rating, wrote: "This is definitely one of those things that just went viral but didn't live up to expectations. "Not worth the hype." Another wrote: "This is just awful. Had high hopes this was going to be along the lines of the Dubai chocolate bar but it's just a disappointment on every level. Hardly any pistachio flavor, and it's a bit powdery and just odd. Don't bother." Shoppers also complained about the lack of foil wrapping on the bar, with one person writing: "I like my food to at least be hygienically stored and delivered." Lindt's £10, 145g Dubai-style chocolate bar also faced backlash. The milk chocolate bar, filled with pistachio paste and topped with crunchy kadayif pastry, first hit Waitrose's shelves in December, with a two-person customer limit. You asked, we delivered' says Irish supermarket as viral chocolate lands in stores but 'they won't last' It is available at retailers including Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Ocado. But with a measly 2.8-star rating on Ocado, customers are far from impressed. One two-star reviewer wrote that they "got sucked into the hype and spent £10 on what is essentially a Kit Kat with a very small amount of pistachio in". Another shopper wrote: "I don't love it... And for a tenner I definitely need to love it. I don't hate it, but it's just nothing special." "Not worth anything like £10", said another. "Overwhelming taste of sugary chocolate and Weetabix." Dubai chocolate has racked up more than 120 million views on TikTok - and even contributed to an international shortage of pistachios. The original Dubai chocolate bar was made by luxury confectionery brand, Fix Dessert Chocolatier, in the UAE. The treat is inspired by the traditional Knafeh dessert, made with spun pastry, cheese, sweet syrup and a topping of pistachios. Consumer reporter Lynsey Hope tried a number of Dubai-style chocolates, offering her reviews on each. 3 M&S' Dubai-style chocolate bar is based on its Big Daddy Chocolate Bar Credit: MS
