Aldi now sells sandwiches and they cost half the price of the M&S versions – but can you taste the difference?
Aldi claims its new sandwich range is just like ones from M&S - but do they taste as good? Our reporter tasted three from each supermarket
ALDI has sparked a new sandwich price war by launching a new range of takeaway products that it claims taste the same as the equivalent from posh rival M&S but for half the price.
But do Aldi's budget versions really taste as good as those from M&S? We put them to the test.
Aldi hopes its "Food to Go" range will prompt thrifty shoppers to swap their usual M&S lunch for its own sandwiches.
The budget supermarket is known for its copycat versions of luxury products at a fraction of the price.
While Marks & Spencer's popularity with lunchtime shoppers rests on its higher standards and top-notch quality.
But Aldi's new range does sound like a tasty offer. Its three new sandwiches - a hoisin duck wrap, egg and cress, and chicken salad - are almost an exact copy of its rival.
It's fillings and the colour and design of the packaging are spookily similar.
But do they really taste the same? Or is M&S’s range very distinctive? Let’s put in to test in the ultimate Aldi v Marks and Spencer showdown.
Hoisin Duck Wrap
Save: £1.61 (49 per cent)
Aldi
Price £1.69
Calories: 399 kcal per pack
Visibly smaller than the wrap from M&S, it hasn’t got quite as much meat filling than its rival, leaving you craving for more at the end of your working day. The sauce, while satisfyingly sticky – just like you expect it to be in a duck wrap - doesn’t really have a distinctive taste. It’s all a bit soggy and soft.
M&S
Price: £3.30
Calories: 463kcal per pack
Great presentation. The wrap includes nice big chunks of cucumber and spinach which add balance to the overall meal. The sauce is very rich with a unique taste of orange. Perfect lunch on the run and well worth the price.
Winner: M&S just has the edge on this sandwich.
Egg & Cress Sandwich
Save: £0.95 (53 per cent)
Aldi
Price £0.85
Calories: 353 kcal per pack
The sandwich is good if you like things simple. The bread is very soft while the egg is cut nice and thick. It would have benefited from a little more watercress but overall a very tasty sandwich.
M&S
Price £1.80
Calories: 332 kcal per pack
The bread that the M&S egg sandwich is made with really compliments the richness of the egg flavour, as it's quite malty and thicker than the average supermarket sandwich. The filling has a great mayo to egg ratio. A classic afternoon tea sandwich.
Winner: It's a draw!
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Save: £1.11 (40 per cent)
Aldi
Price: £1.69
Calories: 362 kcal per pack
The bread is quite moist and floppy, but the filling is filled to the brim with juicy chunks of chicken and just enough sauce. This is a reliable choice that will not disappoint but equally is not going to knock your socks off.
M&S
Price: £2.80
Calories: 385 kcal per cpack
While the malted brown bread is too soft for my taste it pairs very nicely with the chicken and a very rich sauce. The sliced tomatoes and spinach add to the freshness of the sandwich leaving you satisfied with your lunch.
Winner: M&S wins again!
Our verdict - who is the winner?
Despite Aldi's attractive discounts our sandwich tasting revealed that M&S still wins the contest in terms of flavour.
In most cases sandwiches from M&S were more generous, with a richer sauce and a bread that had body and flavour.
Most of the supermarket's takeaway products had more greens which added to the freshness and overall balance of the products.
But, Aldi’s claim is not as far-fetched as it might seem.
The budget supermarket offers a decent range of sandwiches, which are nicely prepared and offer great value for money – even if they could use a little punch.
Switching from M&S to Aldi for a week or two might be the swap some savvy shoppers need to save some cash over the month.
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