This festive season, as cheeseboards take centre stage across the nation, a surprising new champion has been crowned in the world of cheddar. In a comprehensive blind taste test conducted by consumer champion Which?, a supermarket own-brand product triumphed over established household names.
The Champion Cheese Revealed
Tesco Finest Mature English Cheddar Cheese emerged victorious, securing an impressive overall score of 78%. The panel of 76 regular cheddar consumers, who conducted the test in September 2024, praised its well-balanced flavour and ideal salt level. They described its texture as both 'firm and smooth', while also noting it was 'pleasingly crumbly and creamy'.
Priced at £4 for a 350g block (£1.14 per 100g), the winning cheese was noted as being around average in price compared to others in the test. Interestingly, it is not the cheapest option available, proving that price does not always dictate quality.
How the Big Brands Fared
The competition was fierce, with several premium brands closely trailing the winner. Davidstow Classic Cheddar claimed second place with a score of 75%, earning a 'Best Buy' recommendation from Which? despite being one of the most expensive at £4.75 for 350g (£1.36 per 100g). Testers called it a 'solid choice' and suggested shoppers look for special offers.
In third place was M&S Cornish Cove Mature Cheddar Cheese (73%, £4.25 for 350g), followed by Castello Tickler Mature Cheddar Cheese in fourth (71%, £4.75 for 300g).
Two major market leaders found themselves in a joint-fifth place tie. Both Cathedral City Mature Cheddar (£3.50 for 350g) and Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar (£4.20 for 350g) scored 70%.
The full ranking from the blind test is as follows:
- Tesco Finest Mature English Cheddar Cheese: 78%
- Davidstow Classic Cheddar: 75%
- M&S Cornish Cove Mature Cheddar Cheese: 73%
- Castello Tickler Mature Cheddar Cheese: 71%
- Cathedral City Mature Cheddar & Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar: 70%
- Sainsbury’s Barber’s Mature Cruncher Cheese, Taste the Difference: 69%
- Aldi Specially Selected West Country Mature Cheddar: 68%
- Co-op Irresistible Somerset Mature Cheddar Cheese: 66%
The Co-op's offering finished last, with testers criticising its texture for lacking a good crumble and being 'too smooth', while its flavour also failed to impress.
Rigorous Testing Methodology
The results carry significant weight due to the rigorous methodology employed. Each participant sampled the cheeses in a private booth to prevent discussion or influence. The cheddars were judged on four key criteria: flavour (which accounted for 50% of the final score), aroma (20%), appearance (15%), and texture (15%).
The test panel was carefully selected to represent a mix of ages and genders, all of whom were regular purchasers and consumers of cheddar, ensuring the verdict came from a knowledgeable audience.
This outcome provides a compelling insight for UK shoppers, demonstrating that a trip to a major supermarket's own-brand aisle can yield a product that outperforms traditional favourites. It challenges perceptions of value and quality, just in time for the Christmas shopping rush.
