A recent consumer study has revealed that supermarket own-brand baked beans can rival, and even surpass, the taste and value of leading brands like Heinz. In a comprehensive blind taste test conducted by consumer watchdog Which?, two budget-friendly options secured the top spot, outperforming the long-established market leader on both flavour and price.
Supermarket Beans Take Top Honors
The study involved a panel of 60 individuals who tasted 12 different varieties of baked beans, including well-known names such as Heinz and Branston, alongside offerings from major supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, and Tesco. Each participant rated the beans on various factors, with the results showing that value-driven options are not necessarily a compromise on quality.
Aldi’s Bramwells beans and Lidl’s Newgate beans were jointly awarded the highest overall rating of 77%. These supermarket staples were praised by testers for their pleasant sweetness and texture. Notably, these winning beans were priced at approximately 39p and 40p per can, respectively, making them significantly more affordable – in some cases, more than three times cheaper – than premium brands.
Which? awarded both Aldi and Lidl’s offerings ‘Best Buy’ and ‘Great Value’ accolades. Testers specifically highlighted Aldi’s Bramwells beans for their taste and texture, with many noting a satisfying sweetness. Similarly, Lidl’s Newgate beans scored consistently well across the board, earning praise for their overall quality at an equally budget-friendly price point.
Heinz Falls Short of Top Spot
Heinz Beanz, a long-standing favourite for many British households, secured second place with an overall rating of 76%. While over half of the taste testers found the sweetness levels to be appropriate and enjoyed the tomato flavour, more than a third indicated a preference for a stronger tomato taste. Heinz beans did receive a ‘Best Buy’ recommendation from Which?, but they were also identified as the most expensive option in the trial.
A 415g tin of Heinz Beanz can cost around £1.40, a price point that is over 200% higher than the Aldi and Lidl alternatives. Although Which? acknowledged that Heinz beans can often be found at lower prices through multipack deals or special offers, their standard retail price was significantly higher than the competition.
Other Brands and Their Performance
Following the top two, Branston baked beans came in third place with a score of 74%. Asda and Sainsbury’s secured fourth and fifth positions, respectively, with scores of 73% and 73%. A group of brands, including Ocado, Morrisons, and Waitrose, tied for sixth place with a score of 71%.
Tesco’s baked beans received a score of 68%. Marks & Spencer’s own-brand beans were described as lacking flavour and looking unappealing, resulting in a score of 64%. The lowest-scoring product in the trial was Co-Op’s baked beans, with 57% of the panel finding the flavour too weak and wishing for more sweetness.
The Financial Benefit of Switching
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, commented on the findings, emphasizing the potential savings for consumers. “Our taste test shows that you don’t have to compromise on flavour by ditching the pricier brands and choosing supermarket own-label beans – a switch that could save over £100 a year,” she stated.
This sentiment is echoed by consumers like Gwen, who shared her experience after switching to Aldi’s offering. She noted that she has “never looked back” and considers them an “extremely good product for the price.”
Key Findings from the Baked Beans Taste Test
- Top Performers: Aldi Bramwells Beans and Lidl Newgate Baked Beans tied for first place with 77% satisfaction.
- Price Difference: Winning beans cost around 40p per can, significantly less than Heinz at £1.40.
- Heinz Ranking: Heinz Beanz placed second with 76%, praised for flavour but noted as the most expensive.
- Mid-Tier Brands: Branston, Asda, and Sainsbury’s followed, with scores ranging from 73% to 74%.
- Lower Performers: Tesco, M&S, and Co-Op received lower scores, with Co-Op being the least favoured.
- Value Proposition: The study highlights that budget-friendly supermarket brands offer excellent taste and significant cost savings.
The study underscores that consumers can enjoy high-quality baked beans without the premium price tag, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice taste.
