Latest news with #OliverDixon
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I tried own-brand Twister ice lollies – the supermarket winner impressed my kids and cost £1.29 a pack
Scroll down to read Lynsey's verdict for each pack N-ICELY DONE 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 humble Twister has long been a family favourite, regularly topping polls as one of our top choices. 6 Lynsey Hope tested own-brand Twister ice lollies to see how they fared against Walls Credit: Oliver Dixon 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 The Walls Twister Minis came in second most expensive in the taste test Credit: Oliver Dixon £2.90 for 6, Sainsbury's (48.3p each) Nutrition per lolly: 39 calories, 0.5g fat, 6.5g sugar, 0.01g salt Size: 50ml 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 6 Asda's twister lollies were one of the more budget-friendly options Credit: Oliver Dixon £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 6 Lynsey's kids were keen on Tesco's own-brand Twisters Credit: Oliver Dixon £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 6 M&S' own-brand lollies came out most expensive in the taste test Credit: Oliver Dixon £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 6 Aldi's lollies are a great cheaper option if you've got less cash spare Credit: Oliver Dixon £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. 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
6 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
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I tried out mops – a £30 high street one beat Vax and Vileda when cleaning my kitchen
Scroll to see how the premium mops got on SOAK IT UP I tried out mops – a £30 high street one beat Vax and Vileda when cleaning my kitchen Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOPPING floors is a tough job but essential for a sparkly clean and hygienic home. And to help make lighter work of the chore in hand, you can invest in a spray or a steam mop. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 We tried out different mops to find the best Credit: Oliver Dixon There are a wide range of tools available on the market, and you can spend quite a bit on them. But does paying top prices guarantee better results? I decided to try out a selection of best-sellers to find out. Here's what happened... Read more on tests PAY LESS I tried bargain new £250 mobile - why you DON'T need to waste money on a new phone Vileda Rinse Clean Spin Mop and Bucket System £49.99 9 The Vileda mop was expensive Credit: Oliver Dixon I loved this spin mop and bucket but I thought it was quite expensive at nearly £50. The Aldi one does basically the same job - but for £35 less. It works in the same way with two buckets to separate the clean and dirty water. The microfibre mop head was great at clearing tough dirt and grime and seemed durable. It was triangular in shape which was good for getting right into corners. The best thing was the foot-pedal operated winger which allows you to control the dampness of the mop head. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 6/10 Mrs Hinch loves it but it's the most toxic cleaning product ever… I've seen it do so much damage & I'm a pro cleaner Minky 4-in-1 Action Spray Mop £22 9 No bucket needed for this Minky spray mop Credit: Oliver Dixon No need to waste time filling a bucket with this spray mop. Simply fill the bottle with your cleaning solution, spray the floor and wipe away. The triple action pads were super effective and left my floor gleaming. The non-scratch heads were great at getting rid of stubborn dirt and it easily reached under furniture and around skirting boards. The only issue is I found the spray bottle leaked a little bit of solution and it's a shame it doesn't come with replacement mop heads, which would boost its value rating. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 6/10 Flash Speed Mop Starter Kit £12 9 The Flash mop is a good budget option Credit: Oliver Dixon If you need a fuss-free, budget-friendly option, it is worth considering this Flash mop. It doesn't feel the sturdiest. The handle is quite thin and you can't adjust it. But the head does pivot into tight corners and the cloths were fantastic and picking up and trapping dirt. The cloths were easy to fit and remove. It did a good job of cleaning tiles and glided beautifully around a wood laminate floor, providing a very happy and productive cleaning session. No fancy bells and whistles but it got the job done. Performance: 3/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 7/10 Aldi Easy Home Spin Mop £14.99 9 Aldi offered a good budget option Credit: Oliver Dixon What impressed me most about Aldi's wallet-friendly option was this mop's incredible ability to clean right into tight corners and under furniture. The two separate buckets mean you can separate dirty water from clean and it is suitable for all hard floors. The downside is the bucket is quite large, so it's not the easiest to store if you are tight on space. But for less than £15, you all get two mop head refills. It's great value. Performance: 3/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 8/10 Karcher SE1 Upright Steam Mop £69 9 Karcher mop was small and got to work quickly Credit: Oliver Dixon One of the best steam mops I've tested. Not only is it small, compact and lightweight, the water tank sits on the head of the mop and it gets hot enough to start generating steam within 30 seconds. Others took a lot longer to heat up. It has a built-in descaling cartridge, so there will be no limescale or scum left behind on your floors, either. I liked that the mop pad has a hook and loop fastening, so, when you're removing a dirty pad, you won't have to touch it, keeping your hands free from any dirt and bacteria the mop has picked up from the floors. The only negative I have is that the water tank is too small and needs to be topped up quite frequently, which was a pain." Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10 Bona Premium Spray Mop £42.99 9 This mop sprays just the right amount Credit: Oliver Dixon This mop was brilliant - performing most effectively on wooden floors, giving them with a nice shine with minimal effort. The mop sprays just the right amount of liquid on the floor so it dries quickly and there is no slippery or damp floor to manage afterwards. It's lightweight with a good swivel head, so it can manoeuvre easily into tight spaces or under furniture. The handle and trigger are nicely designed, so it's comfortable to hold and spray cleaning solution as and when you need it. The handle isn't adjustable and is quite tall so you might need to bear that in mind if you are shorter. I'm 5ft 7ins and it was comfortable for me. The microfibre pad was great at picking up dust and hair - but I found it best to give the floor a quick vacuum beforehand. Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10 Vax Steam Fresh Total Home Cleaner £99.99 9 The Vax mop costs a lot but can be used for other areas Credit: Oliver Dixon Pricey, but this will clean more than your kitchen floor. It comes with a whole host of accessories designed to clean everything from windows and tiles to grout and hard-to-reach areas. It can also be used on carpets and rugs. I found myself blasting steam at every stain I came across and it made light work of most of them and was deeply satisfying to use. It even got rid of a tough stain on the floor by my kitchen island that I've been battling to get rid of for months. All the attachments are easily stored on board the unit so it wasn't too big to store. It also kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria so I felt like my entire home had had a deep clean after using this. Worth every penny. Performance: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 9/10 Lakeland Double-Sided Floor Mop £29.99 9 The Lakeland mop was the most impressive Credit: Oliver Dixon This double-sided mop has a chenille side and a microfibre side so you can scrub away and deep clean your floors. Once clean, simply flip over and use the other side to dry your floors. This means you don't have to wait around waiting for it to dry. It's a sleek, light weight design weighing just 0.8kg and yet it has a generous 750ml water tank so you didn't have to keep refilling it in the middle of the job. Very effective, leaving floors shiny and dirt free. An excellent product for less than £30. Performance: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 10/10
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I tried out one-hour supermarket delivery slots – one was so quick it came in 12 minutes but there's a hidden cost
Check below to see how much it would cost you SPEEDY SHOP I tried out one-hour supermarket delivery slots – one was so quick it came in 12 minutes but there's a hidden cost I PUSHED the order button on my phone and then 10 minutes later my groceries were at my door. I often find I'm missing an ingredient for a recipe and with two kids at home it's easier to get the items delivered. Advertisement 5 Trial of supermarket deliveries with Lana Clements, photographed by Oliver Dixon for Sun Features – 12 May shows Sainsburys and COOP Credit: Oliver Dixon But how much extra am I paying? Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements puts 60-minute delivery services to the test. To my home in Maidenhead I can get Tesco Whoosh, Sainsbury's Chop Chop, Morrisons via Amazon, Waitrose via Uber Eats and Co-op via Deliveroo. I ordered the same basket from each shop. Selecting the cheapest, pint of semi-skimmed milk, six-pack of eggs, punnet of strawberries, three-pack of Solero ice creams, loaf of white bread and two-pack of burgers. Advertisement TESCO WHOOSH MIN SPEND: No minimum spend but baskets under £15 incur an extra £2 charge. No minimum spend but baskets under £15 incur an extra £2 charge. BASKET COST: £16.55 £16.55 FEES: £2.99 £2.99 TOTAL COST: £19.54 5 My order arrived in 12 minutes, which was pretty speedy Credit: Oliver Dixon Tesco claims deliveries come in 20 minutes to 70 per cent of the UK from 1,500 stores. It was easy to order through the Clubcard app. I did find the choice of items were fairly limited and more premium products on offer than basic ones. Advertisement For example, only Tesco's finest burgers and strawberries were available, plus the smallest carton of milk available was two pints as opposed to one. This pushed up the overall cost of the basket. Although, it does have a low delivery fee compared to other supermarkets. My order arrived in 12 minutes, which was pretty speedy. Advertisement The strawberries did have a short best before date, which is annoying. RATING: 3/5 Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains SAINSBURY'S CHOP CHOP MIN SPEND: £15 £15 BASKET COST: £15.20 £15.20 FEES: £4.99, plus carrier bag fee 30p £4.99, plus carrier bag fee 30p TOTAL COST: £20.49 5 The order came exactly 10 minutes after placing it making it the fastest in the test Credit: Oliver Dixon It claims to deliver within an hour less from 800 stores. Advertisement You need to download the Chop Chop app. The choice of products was good and I was able to order everything I needed and keep costs relatively low. For example, I was offered three different packs of strawberries to choose from. This means the basket cost was lower than rival Tesco, however, the fees were more than £2 higher and included a carrier bag fee making it more expensive overall. Advertisement The order came exactly 10 minutes after placing it making it the fastest in the test. And I can't complain about the food which was all in great condition. You can also order Sainsbury's through Uber Eats and Deliveroo but you can earn Nectar points when ordering through Chop Chop. This was the quickest delivery and there was a great choice of food but the fee was at the higher end of the scale. Advertisement RATING: 4/5 MORRISONS VIA AMAZON MIN SPEND: £15 for Amazon Prime members, £40 for non-members £15 for Amazon Prime members, £40 for non-members BASKET COST: £15.48 ( plus the extra sausages) £15.48 ( plus the extra sausages) FEES: Orders over £60 are free for Prime members, £2 for between £40 and £60, and £4 under £40. For non-members, fees are £3 for orders over £60 and £5 between £40 and £60. Orders over £60 are free for Prime members, £2 for between £40 and £60, and £4 under £40. For non-members, fees are £3 for orders over £60 and £5 between £40 and £60. TOTAL COST: £19.48 Same-day deliveries within two-hour timeslots. When I logged on at 9.30am in the morning, I had the choice of three slots available with the earliest being 2-4pm, the next 4-6pm and then 6-8pm. I picked the later slot to make sure I didn't miss the delivery while on the school run. Advertisement The choice of products was fantastic and the cheapest prices. I needed to meet a minimum spend of £15, as I'm an Amazon Prime member. I added on a pack of sausages to bring the total order up to £15.48. By 8pm nothing had arrived. Then at 8.09pm I received a text message to say the order had been cancelled and that I would be refunded. Advertisement There was no reason given for the cancellation. Luckily we didn't go hungry as the other orders were arriving - but I was not impressed. The fees and minimum spends are offputting too. RATING: 0/5 Advertisement WAITROSE VIA UBER EATS MIN SPEND: No min spend over £15, but under £15 it's £3. No min spend over £15, but under £15 it's £3. BASKET COST: £13.11 (after discounts) £13.11 (after discounts) FEES: £3.93 Made of three parts: *Service fee (10% of your subtotal capped at £2.99) £1.64 for my order *Delivery fee (depends on variables including location and availability of drivers) £1.79 for my order. *Bag fee (depends on retailer) 50p for my order £3.93 Made of three parts: *Service fee (10% of your subtotal capped at £2.99) £1.64 for my order *Delivery fee (depends on variables including location and availability of drivers) £1.79 for my order. *Bag fee (depends on retailer) 50p for my order TOTAL COST: £17.64 5 The selection from Waitrose was great and my order arrived within 26 minutes. Credit: Oliver Dixon On Uber Eats I can get Sainsbury's and Co-op delivered as well as Waitrose. The selection from Waitrose was great and my order arrived within 26 minutes. I also got 50 per cent off selected fruit and veg as there was an offer running, which knocked off £2.69 off my total bill. Advertisement The fees seem excessive as you're charged for service, delivery and bags separately. My order was also split into two bags, pushing up the cost. Good choice of food and it arrived in reasonable time and condition. RATING 3/5 Advertisement CO-OP VIA DELIVEROO MIN SPEND: No min spend No min spend BASKET COST: £13.55 (no eggs) changed to £8.10 after substitutions (no eggs, no strawberries) £13.55 (no eggs) changed to £8.10 after substitutions (no eggs, no strawberries) FEES: £1.95 *Service fee: £1.36 *Delivery fee: 49p *Bag fee: 10p £1.95 *Service fee: £1.36 *Delivery fee: 49p *Bag fee: 10p TOTAL COST: £10.05 5 The order arrived in a reasonable 17 minutes Credit: Oliver Dixon Through Deliveroo I can get Waitrose and Sainsbury's delivered but I tested Co-Op. Unfortunately, it was not long after the supermarket suffered from cyber attacks impacting its stock levels and product availability. However, I was still able to order burgers, milk, bread and ice lollies - and raspberries instead of strawberries. But there were no eggs at all. Advertisement The original order total came to £15.50. However, the raspberries were out of stock when it came to packing and my one pint of milk was changed to a two-pint carton, while the lollies were changed to Co-Op own brand. The order arrived in a reasonable 17 minutes. Unlike all the other deliveries, my Co-Op shopping arrived in a green compostable bag. Advertisement This didn't seem to offer the food as much protection as the brown paper bags from the other supermarkets. As a result, I wasn't too happy with my loaf of bread which arrived seriously squished. Fees are split in a similar way to Uber Eats and made up of three parts. The order arrived in good time but I wasn't happy with my squashed bread and the choice also let down the experience but this seemed like bad timing. Advertisement RATING: 2/5 OTHER SUPERMARKETS Asda and Ocado both offer speedy grocery deliveries. Asda offers between an hour and four hours from 330 stores. My closest branch is five miles away but I couldn't get it delivered. Advertisement There's no minimum spend and fees are £8.50 to £8.99. Ocado's Zoom delivery is between 6am and 10pm. It currently only covers parts of West and East London. Minimum spend is £15 and fees start from £1.49. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
I tried supermarket pistachio treats inspired by Dubai chocolate – and prices start from just £2.20
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DUBAI chocolate is the sweet sensation that has taken the internet by storm. It's racked up more than 120 million views on TikTok and sparked a craving for pistachios, even contributing to international nut shortages. Yes, really. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Lynsey Hope put the best Pistachio flavoured treats to test Credit: Oliver Dixon The original Dubai chocolate bar was made by luxury confectionery brand, Fix Dessert Chocolatier, in the UAE. The treat is a nod to the traditional Knafeh dessert, which is made with spun pastry dough, layered with cheese, soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup and finished with a sprinkling of pistachios. The chocolate bars are filled with pistachio creme, crispy Kadayif and a hint of tahini. But the trend has sparked demand for all sorts of pistachio treats, including an M&S 'The Big Daddy Pistachio' bar, which also went viral. Are these nutty treats worth your cash? LYNSEY HOPE investigates: Lidl Deluxe Milk Chocolate Pistachios £2.99, in Lidl stores 13 Lynsey said the Lidl Deluxe Chocolate Pistachios were tasty Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Small and incredibly more-ish. I opened the bag intending to try just one, but before I knew it, I'd scoffed a handful. "These pistachios are small but tasty, with a delicious after taste, and they are generously coated in milk chocolate. "The chocolate itself had a lovely shine and a delicate, creamy flavour. There was just the right amount of crunch in every one and no Dubai chocolate price tag. Loved 'em." Crosta and Mollica Pistachio and Almond Tartufi Gelato £4, 13 The Crosta & Mollica Pistachio & Almond Tartufi are Gelato filled truffles Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Delicious gelato truffle ice creams with pistachio gelato is in the centre. "That is surrounded by a layer of creamy almond gelato, and the whole thing is rolled in a pistachio crumb which I couldn't get enough of. "The ice cream was rich with a deep, delicious flavour and a lovely creamy texture. "As a whole, I thought the pudding was a little dry but I served to some guests who couldn't get enough. Everyone was asking where I got them from." Ritter Sport Pistachio £2.20, 13 The Ritter Sport bar doesn't offer the best value for money Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Lovely chocolate flavour but the pieces of nut were too small. They could have been any nut and you couldn't easily tell they were pistachios. "It's a smallish bar, 100g, so quite pricey especially when you consider you can get a 110g bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk Wholenut for just a £1." Foodies race to buy new Dubai chocolate Easter egg in popular supermarket - the 'filling is crazy' and it's selling FAST Hotel Chocolat Pistachio and Honey Chocolate Slab £5.45, 13 Lynsey thought the Hotel Chocolat bar would make a nice gift Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "I worried the honey would be overpowering in this little chocolate bar, but the flavour combination works together perfectly. To call it a slab is a bit of a push, it is very small. "That said it is well laden with pistachios which had a delicate flavour and a lovely crunch. I enjoyed it - I just wouldn't pay nearly £6 for it too often. It would make a pretty gift." M&S The Big Daddy Pistachio £8.50, 13 The M&S Big Dadd Pistachio weighs 280g Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "This is one chunky bar, weighing in at 280g, so there is plenty to go around if you can get your hands on one. "I thought I'd struggle to snap it in half but it broke easily, revealing the pistachio and white chocolate cream centre and a generous layer of thick caramel oozing from the inside. "The caramel took centre stage, it was sticky and chewy with a lovely hint of vanilla. It did make the bar as a whole quite sickly, you only need a few bites. "the pistachio cream is smooth and nutty with a hint of white chocolate. Scattered pistachio chunks add a pleasant, salty crunch and help balance the sweetness. It's intensely sugary - but I loved it." Monty Bojangles Pistachio Marooned Cocoa Dusted Truffles £8.69, 13 The Monty Bojangles Pistachio Marooned Truffles are available on Amazon Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Lovely truffles with a perfectly creamy texture and delicate taste. "I loved the delightful crunch you got from the macaroon pieces scattered in them and the pistachio cream itself was soft and smooth with a perfect nutty flavour. Rich. "You certainly don't many of them to get your pistachio fix." Lindt Lindor Pistachio £7.50, 13 The Lindt Lindor Pistachio was a winning flavour Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Melt in the mouth balls of pistachio deliciousness. I actually preferred these to the standard Lindor chocolates as they were less sickly. Smooth, indulgent with a delicate nutty taste. "The filling was delicate and nutty, not too strong. A winning flavour." Maison Colibri La Madeleine Pistache £5, 13 The Maison Colibri Pistachio Madeleine are only five percent pistachio Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Love madeleines but it was the almond flavour that really came through here, not pistachio. In fact, there is only five per cent pistachio in the ingredients. "The sponge was beautifully baked and delicate. Tasty but expensive and if its pistachios you're after - these might not be the treat for you." Ombar Centres Pistachio £3, 13 The Ombar Centres Pistachio bar is suitable for vegans and gluten free Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "A lovely, 60 per cent cocoa dark chocolate bar filled with a delicate and nutty pistachio cream centre. "The flavour was quite intense, but in a good way, and this bar wasn't sickly sweet like many of the other options on offer. "It's worth noting that this Fairtrade bar doesn't contain any refined sugar. It's also dairy and gluten free and suitable for vegans. Waitrose No 1 Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut, Caramelised Cashew and Pistachio Nuts £2.75, 13 Waitrose No.1 chocolate bar was considered a winning flavour Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Not a ton of pistachios in this bar, they were lost amongst the hazelnuts and caramelised cashews. "That didn't stop me enjoying it though. The milk chocolate was delicate and smooth and it was well laden with all the nuts, which I enjoyed. Not too sweet. This is a winning recipe." Farhi Dubai Chocolate Truffles £20, 13 Lynsey recommended the Farhi Dubai Chocolate Truffles as a gift Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "These truffles are designed to taste just like the viral Dubai chocolate - but in truffles instead of a bar. "Encased in velvety chocolate, each truffle brings together the delicate flavours of traditional pistachio Knafeh, a beloved Middle Eastern dessert. "The soft, melt-in-your-mouth centre is inspired by the sweet, aromatic essence of Knafeh, balanced with the nutty, slightly salty taste of roasted pistachios, all wrapped in a smooth chocolate shell. "They are rich with a beautiful flavour and texture. Pricey, but a lovely gift for pistachio or Dubai chocolate lovers." Hackney Gelato Pistachio £5.75, 13 Lynsey said the Hackney Gelato tasted like a quality product Credit: Oliver Dixon Lynsey says: "Quite a subtle pistachio flavour but a lovely smooth and creamy texture. It isn't overly sweet and there's a hint of sea salt in every bite. "It's not cheap, costing nearly £6 for a 420ml tub (which is no way enough!) But it taste like a quality product and it's quite a nice way of eating pistachios without having to shell them first."
