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The Guardian
09-08-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Whizzes up to a vibrant, candyfloss pink': the best supermarket frozen fruit smoothie mixes
We're big fans of frozen fruit in our household. My daughter eats it straight from the bag like sweets from a candy jar, while I love the silky texture of sorbet made simply from fruit and water (add banana or avocado for creaminess), with a one-to-one ratio of frozen fruit to liquid making a perfect scoopable treat. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. For this smoothie blend tasting, I focused mostly on supermarket own-brand berry and banana mixes, and blitzed them with just water on my blender's smoothie setting (Love Struck is the only independent brand in the test). I assessed banana-to-berry ratios, and the condition and taste of the fruit, looking at sweetness, acidity and smoothness. Blackberry and raspberry blends tend to have a slightly hairy texture, which I try to ignore, but offer more complexity and depth, while high-banana-content blends are sweeter, creamier and more texturally satisfying. The mixes with a higher berry content seemed to be better value, not least because bananas are a cheap filler. Sadly, no supermarket brands were organic, which I find concerning, especially for strawberries, which, according to the Pesticide Action Network UK are among the most heavily sprayed crops. Unlike in the fresh produce aisle, few brands offer sourcing transparency, either. ★★★★☆ This has a strawberry-dominant aroma with a bright, fruity flavour that's led by sweet, ripe berries. A generous 70% strawberry content, giving this great flavour balance and making blending easier. A classic, clean smoothie base. ★★★★☆ There is a fragrant strawberry aroma and a lovely, clean strawberry flavour with just enough banana to round it out. The 70% strawberry content is sliced (better for blending in a low-powered blender) and in good condition. A great value mix and not too sweet. ★★★★☆ A striking, deep berry red blend is on offer, with a subtly sweet, complex flavour because of the mix of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. This is the only product tested without banana. The fruit quality is excellent. There's a claim of 'farm-to-cup transparency', but no sourcing details are provided; it's B Corp certified and has a strong impact report available online, though. ★★★★☆ Bright magenta when blended, with a harmonious, berry-forward flavour that's not overly sweet. A thoughtful blend of strawberry, grape, banana and blueberry. Fruit quality is excellent. Individually wrapped portions create unnecessary packaging waste, though – the outer box is recyclable, but the inner bags must be recycled in-store. ★★★☆☆ This had a plastic aroma in the bag, but it whizzed up to a vibrant, candyfloss pink. Sweet with a subtle savoury edge and tang of acidity from the strawberries. Strawberries were in perfect condition, although perhaps a little under-ripe, while the bananas were slightly smushed but not overripe. A solid performer and good value. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion ★★★☆☆ A fresh berry aroma and, once blended, a striking magenta colour. The flavour was harmonious with slight banana notes and prominent strawberry and deeper berry undertones. Mostly berries, all in good condition. Bananas were quite ripe and a bit crushed, but that adds natural sweetness. A solid blend and decent value. ★★★☆☆ Banana-y aroma with a rich, forest-fruit purple colour when blended. The cherries and redcurrants give it a lovely, complex flavour with gentle sweetness and balanced acidity. Some fruit was slightly bashed, but overall ripe and visually appealing. A nice, varied mix. ★★★☆☆ A nice red blend with a gentle, sweet-savoury flavour. Made with 70% strawberries, which were large, richly coloured and in great condition, and blended seamlessly. Mid-tier pricing, but premium feel overall with a natural flavour profile and solid performance. ★★★☆☆ Light pink once blended and not too sweet considering the 50:50 strawberry and banana mix. The berries were in good condition, while the bananas were slightly smushed but not overripe. A no-frills blend, although marginally pricier than some of the others. ★★★☆☆ A deep purple colour with a lovely, rich berry flavour that's not too sweet. A broad mix of berries and banana, though the fruit was quite bashed up and mostly in small bits. A robust choice.
The Guardian
09-08-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Walnut and pear lollies and rhubarb sorbet: Jacob Kenedy's icy desserts
Nuts make wonderful milks, and therefore they also make great granitas, sorbets and lollies. There is no trick or trouble to getting them right, but there is a magic about nut ices that is as jaw-dropping as a magician's act – delicious and sophisticated, without adulterating the childlike joy that underpins every sort of ice-cream. Then, I like to celebrate rhubarb as a sorbet, which is great on its own, or with cold custard, or to accompany stodgier puddings. This can be adapted for any nuts – it works particularly well with pecans (lightly roasted before making the milk, and consider using maple syrup in place of the sugar), hazelnuts (roasted before making the milk), almonds (roasted or raw, skin on or skin off) or pistachios (skinless, if you can get them, roasted or raw). You can get inventive and seasonal with the fruit, too, but it is really only necessary to add a sweet dimension to walnuts – other nuts can fly solo. Prep 5 min Cook 1 hr 10 min Freeze 6 hr+ Makes about 6 x 100ml lollies 220g walnut halves or pieces100g white sugar 1 ripe pear First make a nut milk: put 140g of the walnuts in a blender with 350ml cold water, then blend , until they're a very fine texture, which will take several minutes. Strain the nut water through a very fine sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract the last bits of goodness. Measure out 450ml of the nut milk (if you don't have quite enough, top up with more water), then add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Roast the remaining 80g walnuts very gently in a 160C (140C fan)/325F/gas 3 oven for 45 minutes to an hour, until light golden brown, then remove and leave to cool. To make the lollies, divide the roast walnuts evenly between six lolly moulds. Peel, core and dice the pear, then divide this between the lolly moulds, too. Top with the sweet walnut milk to come 5mm below the rim, then put on the lid and lolly sticks, and freeze for about six hours, until solid. Rhubarb is such a camp monstrosity of a petiole. I always think a bunch of the glorious, pink ribbed stems look like candles destined for a drag queen's dressing table, or Brighton rock being pulled to perfection. Prep 5 min Cook 10 min, plus churning Freeze 30 min Makes About 1 litre 650g rhubarb 200g caster sugar 50g light runny honey, or glucose syrup Chop the rhubarb into 1-2cm pieces, then put in a saucepan with all the other ingredients and 100ml cold water. Bring to a simmer, then cook for five minutes, until the rhubarb is tender with just a little crunch (it will keep cooking as it cools). Leave to cool to room temperature, then blend finely. Churn the mixture in an ice-cream machine according to the maker's instructions until fully firm, then put into a suitable container, seal and put in the freezer for half an hour or so, to firm up. If it has been stored in the freezer for longer and is too firm, put it in the fridge to soften until scoopable. Jacob Kenedy is chef and owner of Gelupo, Bocca di Lupo and Plaquemine Lock, all in London
The Guardian
09-08-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Walnut and pear lollies and rhubarb sorbet: Jacob Kenedy's icy desserts
Nuts make wonderful milks, and therefore they also make great granitas, sorbets and lollies. There is no trick or trouble to getting them right, but there is a magic about nut ices that is as jaw-dropping as a magician's act – delicious and sophisticated, without adulterating the childlike joy that underpins every sort of ice-cream. Then, I like to celebrate rhubarb as a sorbet, which is great on its own, or with cold custard, or to accompany stodgier puddings. This can be adapted for any nuts – it works particularly well with pecans (lightly roasted before making the milk, and consider using maple syrup in place of the sugar), hazelnuts (roasted before making the milk), almonds (roasted or raw, skin on or skin off) or pistachios (skinless, if you can get them, roasted or raw). You can get inventive and seasonal with the fruit, too, but it is really only necessary to add a sweet dimension to walnuts – other nuts can fly solo. Prep 5 min Cook 1 hr 10 min Freeze 6 hr+ Makes about 6 x 100ml lollies 220g walnut halves or pieces100g white sugar 1 ripe pear First make a nut milk: put 140g of the walnuts in a blender with 350ml cold water, then blend , until they're a very fine texture, which will take several minutes. Strain the nut water through a very fine sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract the last bits of goodness. Measure out 450ml of the nut milk (if you don't have quite enough, top up with more water), then add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Roast the remaining 80g walnuts very gently in a 160C (140C fan)/325F/gas 3 oven for 45 minutes to an hour, until light golden brown, then remove and leave to cool. To make the lollies, divide the roast walnuts evenly between six lolly moulds. Peel, core and dice the pear, then divide this between the lolly moulds, too. Top with the sweet walnut milk to come 5mm below the rim, then put on the lid and lolly sticks, and freeze for about six hours, until solid. Rhubarb is such a camp monstrosity of a petiole. I always think a bunch of the glorious, pink ribbed stems look like candles destined for a drag queen's dressing table, or Brighton rock being pulled to perfection. Prep 5 min Cook 10 min, plus churning Freeze 30 min Makes About 1 litre 650g rhubarb 200g caster sugar 50g light runny honey, or glucose syrup Chop the rhubarb into 1-2cm pieces, then put in a saucepan with all the other ingredients and 100ml cold water. Bring to a simmer, then cook for five minutes, until the rhubarb is tender with just a little crunch (it will keep cooking as it cools). Leave to cool to room temperature, then blend finely. Churn the mixture in an ice-cream machine according to the maker's instructions until fully firm, then put into a suitable container, seal and put in the freezer for half an hour or so, to firm up. If it has been stored in the freezer for longer and is too firm, put it in the fridge to soften until scoopable. Jacob Kenedy is chef and owner of Gelupo, Bocca di Lupo and Plaquemine Lock, all in London
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Lidl shoppers are going mad for nostalgic ice cream treat that reminds them of Spanish holidays
LIDL shoppers are going wild for a nostalgic ice cream treat reminding them of Spanish holidays. The retailer has launched a range of Mediterranean -themed sweet and savoury bites in store with prices starting from 49p. 2 2 But it's one product out that's really got shoppers talking - Sol and Mar orange and lemon sorbets. One Lidl shopper who bought the orange sorbet in their local branch posted a photo on the Food Finds UK Facebook page, adding: "For all the orange lovers. "This is the Orange Sorbet from the Lidl Spanish range. It's perfect for the weather we're in atm." The post has caught the attention of hundreds of fellow shoppers who have been quick to like and comment. Another, tagging a family member, added: "Omg these are like what dad used to buy! Need to get some for nostalgic purposes." Meanwhile, a third said: "These are amazing." Shoppers can buy both the orange and lemon flavour sorbets for £3.99 in their local store. You can find your nearest store via We have asked Lidl for the calorie information for the desserts and will update this story when we have heard back. Five simple ways to save cash at Lidl Bear in mind, you might not be able to get them in all Lidl branches though. Of course, with anything like this, always remember to shop around to ensure you're getting the best price. Use price comparison websites like Trolley, Price Spy and Price Runner to scour retailer's online prices. However, in this instance, we couldn't find any other chains selling lemon or orange sorbets like this. You can buy tubs of sorbet, without the fruit peel, from retailers including Sainsbury's, M&S and Tesco though. Tesco is selling a 500ml tub of lemon sorbet for £2.75, while Sainsbury's has a 500ml tub for the same price and M&S a 500ml tub for £3. If the sorbets aren't for you, Lidl's Spanish range features 76 other products including classic Spanish crisps for £1.49 and tubs of chorizo slices for £1.99. Shoppers can also buy Piri Piri Aioli for 99p and even Gazpacho-flavoured crisps for £1.25. In other Lidl news, the retailer was the second cheapest supermarket for a basket of 79 items in June, according to Which?. Plus, shoppers are going wild for a £30 dupe of a £400 jacket worn by Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher. 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.
Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The 41 best places for ice cream in the UK
Everyone knows the best way to finish a day by the seaside or an afternoon picnic is with an ice cream. Nobody knows this more than Iona and Rob Gore, who make Brickell's — some of the finest scoops in Britain, crafted with all-natural ingredients and milk from the family farm in Westcombe, Somerset. They have some simple guidelines on how to find top quality ice cream, from texture — 'If it's really easy to serve and not melting then there is probably a lot of air and stabilisers in there' — to flavour: 'Look for any references to ingredient origin on the menu, as this will be a good indicator that they think carefully about their sourcing.' From retro parlours on the south coast to award-winning gelaterias in south London, these are our favourite ice cream shops in the UK. London 1. Ice Cream Union, Chelsea and Bermondsey Whisper it: Ice Cream Union is London's best-kept secret. For 18 years it has been whipping up ice cream and sorbets for some of the city's favourite restaurants, from the Michelin-starred Trinity in Clapham to Fortnum & Mason. Now it has two shops where you can try its 50-plus flavours yourself — one in Sloane Square, open seven days a week, and another in Bermondsey, open on Saturdays. 2. The Dreamery, Islington A parlour founded on a simple concept: ice cream is best served with wine. Since going viral on TikTok, this bar has had queues going out of the door for its pairings. There are always six scoops on the menu (past flavours have included oolong and prune, croissant, and mint chocolate chip) plus changing sauces and a small wine list. 3. Sundae, Brockley All the gelato at this parlour is churned in batches in the kitchen out the back. It might be small, but the flavours are a big deal: summer berry cheesecake, Guinness, dark chocolate and orange, and (my favourite) fig and mascarpone, which appears some weeks as a special. @sundaegelato 4. Minus 12 Degrees, Herne Hill Locals will groan that their neighbourhood favourite has been revealed, but it's well worth the trip to south London. Expect homemade gelato and sorbets, weekly specials such as chocolate, pistachio and kataifi, and tubs you can take home for your freezer. 5. Fink's, north London There are two things you have to try when visiting a branch of Fink's: the chunky ice cream sandos and cups of velvety soft-serve. Flavours of the former include chocolate, cherry and pistachio and peanut butter caramel, while my favourite soft-serve comes with rhubarb and vanilla sauce. 6. Nardulli, Clapham If you are patient enough to wait out the queues that form at this gelateria, you will understand why people line up day in, day out for the scoops here. Think classic flavours made using traditional Italian recipes. 7. Big Kid Ice Cream, Soho ALAMY 8. Gelateria 3BIS, Borough Market and Notting Hill At two central London shops you'll find deliciously authentic Italian gelato, which you can watch them whip up using traditional equipment through the window. 9. Soft & Swirly, Hackney There are lots of reasons to visit the E5 Bakehouse, but the fact that Soft & Swirly now has a permanent hatch there is arguably number one. Go for the soft scoop (rhubarb and cream cheese is heavenly) and stay for sundaes, sorbets and ice cream cakes. @soft_n_swirly 10. Le Chocolat, King's Cross If ice cream could win Michelin stars, French chef Alain Ducasse (who has 21) would get one for the gelato served at his chocolate shop. Buy a cup or cone of Peruvian chocolate or bread-flavoured gelato to eat while you browse the shelves stacked with his luxury chocolates. 11. Maison Pierre Marcolini, Marylebone Made-to-order ice cream is worth trying just for the science. In one minute, using the latest turbine tech, the chefs here whip up ice cream that's soft, smooth and tastes amazing. ALAMY 12. Gelupo, Soho When Londoners think of gelato, they think of Gelupo — chef Jacob Kenedy's much loved gelateria that serves unusual scoops such as strawberry Eton mess, rice pudding, and chocolate, Earl Grey and biscuits. 13. Birley Bakery, Chelsea The handmade ice creams are exceptional (look out for rose), but you can't miss the sorbets either — in particular the citrus and herbs flavour, a refreshing blend of lime, lemon and orange juice with mint, coriander and parsley. 14. Fabulous Ice Fires, East Dulwich The outside of this gelateria is fairly unassuming, but inside you'll find some of the best scoops in the world. Yes, really. The award-winning gelato — made by a local hero, Taseer Ahmad — has picked up prizes around the globe. @fabicefires Scotland ALAMY 15. Nardini Cafe, Largs, North Ayrshire If you're after nostalgia go to Nardini's, which has been serving ice cream made with Scottish milk and double cream since 1935. 16. Aunty Betty's, Aberdeenshire On the promenade in Stonehaven, this shoreside ice cream and sweet shop is a wee local gem. Don't miss the homemade cakes either. 17. Alandas Gelato, Edinburgh and North Berwick This award-winning Italian gelato is freshly made each morning with natural ingredients, including East Lothian milk and cream. Flavours include apple strudel, Belgian milk chocolate and indulgent chocolate fudge brownie. Southwest ALAMY 18. Rossi's Ices, Weymouth, Dorset Run by the same family since 1937, this beachfront ice cream parlour is full of nostalgia. Scoops are served in kitsch little glass bowls, or drizzled with strawberry sauce on a takeaway tray. If you have time to sit in, try the famous banana split. 19. Brickell's Scoop Hut, Bath If you love ice cream, you'll surely have bought a tub of Somerset's famous all-natural ice cream from Brickell's. Now it has a scoop hut in Bath serving all its flavours, including homegrown mint choc chip, roasted strawberries, ricotta stracciatella and — new for this summer — black bee honey. 20. Little Knuckles, Bristol Sold from a hatch at Sonny Stores, Bristol's Italian neighbourhood spot, ice creams from Little Knuckles include flavours such as vanilla, honey and toasted almonds, or salted focaccia and butterscotch. You can even take out an ice cream subscription. 21. Moomaid of Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall Explore the side streets of St Ives and it won't be long before you come across this luxury little shop. The ice cream is made on the family farm in Zennor and served at this parlour, plus three others in Cornwall. 22. Jelbert's, Newlyn, Cornwall There's just one thing you go to Jelbert's for: the traditional Cornish vanilla ice cream, served with a dollop of clotted cream and a Flake. It's the only flavour on the menu, yet this family-owned business has been a must-visit for generations. @jelbertsicecream 23. Callestick Parlour, near Truro, Cornwall There are lots of reasons to visit Callestick Farm in central Cornwall, but the most common is to try the ice cream — made at the parlour using milk from their own grass-fed dairy herd. 24. Roskilly's, Helston, Cornwall This beautiful organic Jersey farm on the southern tip of Cornwall doubles as a campsite and music venue, but it also makes some of the finest ice cream in Cornwall. ALAMY 25. Surfing Cow Gelato, Plymouth Don't worry — no cows were asked to get on a boogie board to make this ice cream. Instead, what you'll find is luxury, award-winning gelato made with Jersey-cross cows who graze in fields on the south Devon coast. Southeast @GELATOFAMOSO/INSTAGRAM 26. Gelato Famoso, Eastbourne, East Sussex A trip to Eastbourne's seafront means an essential stop-off at Gelato Famoso, which serves cones of Italian ice cream as well as sundaes and waffles to be enjoyed shoreside. ALAMY 27. Morelli's Gelato, Broadstairs, Kent Welcome to one of the grandest gelaterias in Britain. With its art deco interior, singing retro jukebox and fabulous choice of ice creams, it's no surprise this shop was used to film The Lady in the Van and an episode of Doctor Who. There is another branch in Whitstable. ALAMY 28. Marrocco's, Brighton You can't visit Brighton and not pop into the family-run Marrocco's. It's become an institution since it opened in 1969. Order one of the ice cream sandwiches or sundaes and eat it on Hove seafront. Midlands 29. Henley Ice Cream, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire Made on local farms using milk from their own dairy herd, Henley's ice cream comes in more than 50 flavours — and it's been served for 91 years. Wales 30. Two Islands, Abersoch The small-batch ice cream on the menu is seasonal (everything is made on site using milk from Welsh cows) which means there is always something new and interesting to enjoy. Don't miss the raspberry ripple. ALAMY 31. Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, north Wales There are four Red Boat parlours in Wales, but the original — in a medieval grade II listed building in the seaside town of Beaumaris, on Anglesey — is by far my favourite. It's the perfect way to recover from the journey, with the best ice creams on the island. 32. Joe's, Mumbles, Swansea Ask locals where to get ice cream in Mumbles and they'll all say Joe's. Go in for a quick cone or sundae, or plan ahead for one of its legendary ice cream cakes. There are three more shops in Swansea and another in Cardiff. 33. The Ice Cream Shop, Abergavenny You might recognise the green and cream Shepherds ice cream van from the summer festival circuit. Now they've opened a shop where you can buy irresistible tubs, cones and ice cream cakes. 34. Honey Ice Cream, Aberaeron The Hive café is home to Cardigan's Honey Ice Cream, including its famous honey salted caramel and honey chocolate flavours. ALAMY 35. Parisella's, Llandudno Just outside Llandudno, you'll find this retro cafeteria — one of four Parisella's outposts, plus there's a van. It has been serving Welsh ice cream since the Fifties. ALAMY 36. Verdi's, Mumbles, Swansea You can't beat Verdi's for its seaside atmosphere. This quayside Italian parlour has up to 30 flavours to choose from and unrivalled sunset views. Northwest 37. Brucciani, Morecambe, Lancashire Italian Bruno Brucciani opened this art deco ice cream parlour in the Thirties. Nearly a century later, it's still serving up its famous knickerbocker glory. @brucciani_of_morecambe ALAMY 38. Nicholls, Parkgate, Cheshire You won't get a more retro parlour than Nicholls of Parkgate, which has been making ice cream overlooking the Dee Estuary for 75 years. East coast 39. Harris & James, Aldeburgh, Suffolk The gelato served at this classic seaside parlour is so good it's been known to temporarily reduce customers to silence. Order the Jaffa Cake flavour or Bakewell tart gelato. They have five more shops in Suffolk and Norfolk. ALAMY 40. Minchella & Co, South Shields, Tyne and Wear The Minchellas have been manufacturing top quality ice cream on the northeast coast since 1942, so it's no surprise they've won awards for their scoops. Don't miss the pistachio. Northern Ireland @GRAHAMSICECREAMDROMORE 41. Graham's Ice Cream, Newcastle, Co Down This vintage parlour is family-run, a local favourite and serves dozens of flavours — but the classic vanilla is hard to beat. @grahamsicecream Life & Style Food & Drink Related articles Wine and ice cream, the unlikely pairing that has Gen Z going wild March 30 2025, 5.00pm Lucy Holden BEST BEACHES 2023 Ten of the UK's tastiest ice-cream shops by the sea July 18 2023, 12.01am Qin Xie PROMOTED CONTENT
