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We tried sweet chilli crisps and a supermarket version is better than Walkers and Pipers – they’re half the price
Taste test reveals you don't need to spend big to get the best crisps
A SUPERMARKET brand's sweet chilli crisps have been named better than big brand alternatives including Walkers and are half the price.
The crisps scored highly on appearance, aroma, flavour and texture, despite being the second cheapest in the test carried out by consumer experts Which?.
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The test saw crisps by premium brands like Tyrrells and Pipers pitted against household favourite Walkers and supermarket own brands, including Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury's, M&S, Sainsbury's and Asda.
Tesco Finest Thai Inspired sweet chilli hand cooked crisps dropped only one point to the highest rated crisps Tyrrells based on appearance, aroma, flavour and texture scoring an impressive 73% to Tyrrell's 76%.
Best of all the Tesco Finest crisps cost just £1.35 for a 150g bag, compared to £2.50 for the same size bag of Tyrrells' sweet chilli and red pepper flavour crisps.
The Tesco snacks were actually the second cheapest of the bags tested, with only Lidl's Deluxe Thai sweet chilli crisps coming in cheaper at £1.25 for a 150g bag.
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At the other end of the scale the most expensive crisps tested were Pipers Biggleswade sweet chilli crisps, which are £3 for a 150g bag and ranked eighth of eight in the taste test with a score of just 57%.
Coming in third place was Asda's Extra Special sweet chilli hand cooked crisps, which scored 68% in the taste test and cost £1.35 for a 150g bag.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Thai sweet chilli crisps and Walkers Thai sweet chilli Sensations both scored 66%.
The Sainsbury's brand crisps cost £1.50 for a 150g bag, while Walkers' Sensations will set you back £2.50 for a 150g bag.
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M&S' sweet chilli hand cooked crisps scored 65% and Lidl's Deluxe Thai sweet chilli crisps 63%.
The M&S crisps cost £1.70 for a 150g bag.
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Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains
It's not uncommon for supermarket brand products to rank above labelled rivals in taste tests and they often cost a lot less.
In our test of hot chocolates Aldi's Choceur instant hot chocolate scored 5/5, beating off rivals including Cadbury's.
In a test of flapjacks Sainsbury's was highest rated, above M&S and Lyle's.
When it came to custard creams M&S' biscuits were in a league of their own, despite costing just 50p.
How to save money 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].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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