SAY CHEESE
I tested supermarket cheddar cheese – a bargain version beats classic brand Cathedral City and it’s not Aldi or Lidl
Plus watch our video on finding bargains at the supermarket
GOOD news for cheese lovers - the price of cheddar is falling.
Research has found a 1kg of cheddar cheese would have set you back £9.21 in 2023, but now only costs £8.88.
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You may also save money if you avoid big brands and buy supermarket own instead.
Cheese is high in protein and calcium making it a great addition to your diet for building strong muscles and bones.
But do the cheaper cheeses taste as good?
We asked Lynsey Hope to find out and here, she shares her verdict:
Read more consumer tests
Essential Waitrose Mature British Cheddar (350g)
- £2.60
- 74p per 100g
10
A slightly salty taste from Waitrose, which I liked, and it was smooth and rich without being too overpowering.
It's good value too - 26p cheaper than the market leader per 100g and even cheaper than Asda and Ocado.
A delicious and affordable option.
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- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Aldi Emporium British Mature Cheddar (400g)
- £2.49
- 62.2p per 100g
10
An appealing texture and appearance, I thought Aldi's had a good, strong all-rounded flavour.
It was perhaps a little too salty and like some of the others, I'd have preferred a bit more crumble.
It is quite potent so if that suits your taste, this mature cheddar could fit the bill.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Ocado Mature Cheddar (480g)
- £3.60
- 75p per 100g
10
Lovely rounded flavour with a nice texture by Ocado.
It lacked a little richness but it is a good price for everyday cheese on toast.
The bumper-sized pack is a great option for big families.
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Tesco Mature Cheddar (220g)
- £2.45
- £1.11 per 100g
10
Perfectly crumbly, this Tesco cheddar stood out in the test.
It had a lovely smooth, creamy flavour and the texture was spot on.
At a guess, I would have said it was medium rather than mature.
The flavour was good, but it wasn't as strong as others.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 8/10
British Mature Cheddar by Asda (400g)
- £3
- 75p per 100g
10
I loved this affordable supermarket cheese from Asda.
It had a smooth but firm texture, tangy undertones and a pleasant cheesy flavour.
It doesn't beat Aldi or Lidl on price but tastes like a higher quality cheese and would be a great addition to any cheeseboard.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Medium British Cheddar by Sainsbury's (220g)
- £2.35
- £1.06 per 100g
10
This Sainsbury's cheddar stood out as one of the tastiest.
It cut well, without crumbling, and had a moreish creamy flavour.
I was impressed by the aroma, too.
It's not the cheapest you can buy. In fact, per 100g it was more expensive than Cathedral City.
You may get better value buying a bigger block, which was sold out when we went shopping.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Morrisons The Best Extra Mature West Country Farmhouse Cheddar (300g)
- £3.25
- £1.08 per 100g
10
I loved the packaging of this cheddar, which elevated it a little and made me want to buy it.
But the flavour was far too strong and I didn't think it was crumbly enough.
It did have a nice yellowy colour and an appetising aroma.
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Lidl Valley Spire British Mature Cheddar (400g)
- £2.49
- 62.2p per 100g
10
No frills cheese. This wasn't as tasty as others and was a bit rubbery.
However, at this price, no one would notice if you crumbled it into a pot of mac cheese or sprinkled it over a pizza base.
It's a great option if you want to save money. It's also made with British milk, though not clear if this is 100%.
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 5/10
Cathedral City Mature Cheddar (350g)
- £3.50
- £1 per 100g
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Currently the UK's best selling cheddar, Cathedral City is made in Cornwall using 100% British milk.
It had a stronger flavour than others and just the right amount of salt.
I thought it was too firm and would have preferred it a little more crumbly.
The side opening packet was worth a few extra pennies as it was much easier to open and reseal after first use.
However, it is much pricier than most own brands and others did taste as good.
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You are paying for the recognisable brand name here.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 7/10
How to save 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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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