THAT'S MINTY
I tested supermarket mint sauce for Easter lamb roasts – the winner is half-price of Colman’s and has same flavour
Several supermarkets went head to head on price
NO roast lamb is complete on Easter Sunday before you've drenched it with mint sauce.
The sauce is made using vinegar, sugar and traditionally naturally sweeter leaves such as peppermint or spearmint.
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But lots of supermarkets have made their own take on this classic now, adding garlic, various vinegars and even yoghurt for a more Mediterranean feel.
And though it's made with simple ingredients, just a bit much of one thing could ruin the flavour of this saucy treat.
So which should you buy for your Easter lamb?
Lynsey Hope tried some own-brands to see how they fared against big brand Colman's. Here's what happened:
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Waitrose English Mint Sauce (195g)
- £1.40
- 71.8p per 100g
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A lovely sweet spearmint flavour combined well with a splash of tangy white vinegar.
It was very minty with 34% mint, which was much higher than most others.
I loved the rich forest green colour and herbaceous appearance but was disappointed by the runny texture and lack of minty aroma.
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- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Mint Sauce By Sainsbury's (250g)
- 76p
- 30p per 100g
9
Soft and smooth but this had a disappointingly low 5% of mint and was very high in spirit vinegar, which made this sauce very sharp and gave it a horrible soap-like aftertaste.
I liked the finely chopped leaves and deep green hue, but not enough to buy it again.
It is great value, beating even Aldi and Lidl on value per 100g.
I’m a money saving pro - mums can get everything from Lego to Barbie free over Easter, you just need to check the day
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 4/10
Lidl Batts Mint Sauce (180g)
- 55p
- 31p per 100g
9
Lidl was joint cheapest alongside Aldi's offering, but this one tasted better.
It wasn't too sharp and contained 45% "rehydrated mint" as opposed to fresh.
It had a slightly oily texture perhaps due to added spearmint oil, but was less salty than some others.
Not a bad choice for the price.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Asda Mint Sauce (280g)
- £1
- 35.7p per 100g
9
A great value mint sauce from Asda, it would be hard to find better for the price.
It doesn't have much real mint, just 5%, but the added spearmint oil helps get the flavour right.
The aroma is spot on as you open the jar and it has a thick, gloopy texture, perfect for drizzling over Easter lamb.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Morrisons Mint Sauce (180g)
- 72p
- 40p per 100g
9
A high mint content at 49% and a lovely dark green hue.
It was a bit salty compared to others with a thicker, bittier texture.
Quite a bit more pricey than other own brands too, I wouldn't rush back for it.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Colman's Mint Sauce (165g)
- £1
- 60.6p per 100g
9
A disappointing lack of minty taste in Colman's sauce.
Although the ingredients stated it contained 25% mint, the flavour wasn't very strong.
It was quite watery and reminded me of sugar syrup.
Expensive compared to the own brands and not worth the extra pennies.
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall score: 5/10
Aldi Bramwells Mint Sauce (180g)
- 55p
- 31p per 100g
9
A great price from Aldi with a lovely texture and strong minty flavour.
It had 25% mint, the same as Colman's, even though it was only just over half the price and the flavour came through nicely.
A great budget option for your roast lamb.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Tesco Mint Sauce (185g)
- 90p
- 49p per 100g
9
Quite a thick texture and made with 42% reconstituted mint, rather than fresh.
This one does have balsamic vinegar, which I liked and felt elevated the flavour a little.
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A great option for the price.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 9/10
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