We tested supermarket beans versus more expensive rivals – but which brand came out on top?

IF there is one food item most of us have stashed away in a cupboard, it’s the humble tin of baked beans.

For go-to cheap and quick meals, they are great on toast or with a jacket potato.

But beans does not have to mean Heinz. With food prices spiralling, a supermarket version could save you at least 60p.

Here, The Sun’s Squeeze Team put them to the test.

Aldi Corale, 420g, 32p

Lynsey says: These soft haricot beans were in a thick, almost sticky tomato sauce. I found them quite heavy, too sweet and the sauce was a little bland. This tin also contains the highest amount of sugar.

TASTE: 4
VALUE: 6
SCORE: 5

Lidl Newgate, 420g, 32p

Lynsey says: Lidl’s beans were my least favourite of all. Before I even put them into my mouth, I thought that they smelt bad. The sauce was too thick and they went all mushy after I warmed them up.

TASTE: 1
VALUE: 3
SCORE: 2

Essential Waitrose, 400g, 40p

Lynsey says: These beans looked paler than most of the others and I didn’t hold out high hopes for the taste. But I was pleasantly surprised. They are more expensive than some at 40p, but still 60p cheaper than the market leader.

TASTE: 9
VALUE: 6
SCORE: 9

Asda, 410g, 32p

Lynsey says: The sauce here was quite sweet, with a cheesy aroma, but I liked the flavour. The beans are thick, with a chewy skin, and could be more tender. A smaller can than at other supermarkets, but it’s no cheaper.

TASTE: 4
VALUE: 5
SCORE: 4

Sainsbury’s, 400g, 35p

Lynsey says: They come in a nice tin and they looked appealing after warming, unlike some others that went a bit mushy. The sauce is slightly sweeter than Heinz, but they were very moreish, and 65p cheaper.

TASTE: 8
VALUE: 9
SCORE: 8

Tesco, 420g, 35p

Lynsey says: At first glance, this tin seemed to contain a lot of sauce and not so many beans. But they tasted good and I served them to my kids who didn’t complain. The only thing different to Heinz is the price.

TASTE: 8
VALUE: 10
SCORE: 9

Heinz, 415g, £1

Lynsey says: Having tried so many varieties, I realised there was nothing special about these. They taste nice, but so do many others. Big-store alternatives have really come on in taste — and the saving can be delicious, too.

TASTE: 7
VALUE: 2
SCORE: 6

Morrisons, 410g, 39p

Lynsey says: They looked appealing and made me think of those delicious fry-ups you get for breakfast if you stay in a traditional British B&B. I won’t go back to buying Heinz now as these were so good.

TASTE: 10
VALUE: 9
SCORE: 10

Consumer watchdog Which? tested all the supermarket hot cross buns to find the best ones for this Easter.

Good Housekeeping has also done its own hot cross bun taste test, see how its results compare.

Meanwhile, Greggs fans may be disappointed this year as the bakery chain won’t be selling the seasonal treat.