Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Supermarket Mini Egg Taste Test: Can Cheaper Alternatives Compete with Cadbury?
Mini eggs, the quintessential solid milk chocolate eggs encased in a candy shell, are a globally recognised Easter treat. Cadbury, the renowned confectioner behind the Creme Egg, first introduced these miniature delights in 1967. However, the price of these popular chocolates has risen notably. In March 2024, an 80g bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs cost £1.20 at Tesco for Clubcard holders, but the same size now retails for £1.65 with a Clubcard discount – a substantial 37.5% increase. Despite the price surge, Mini Eggs remain a beloved confectionery item and are available year-round in the UK. Several major supermarkets have developed their own speckled egg snacks, often priced lower than the Cadbury brand. To determine if any of these alternatives match up to the iconic Cadbury Mini Eggs, a comparative taste test was conducted, yielding some surprising findings.
With Cadbury Mini Eggs priced at £1.85 for an 80g bag for non-Clubcard customers, the impartial taste test assessed the eggs based on taste, texture, and size. The prices and brand names were concealed from the five participants who volunteered to sample the chocolate confectionery.
The results highlighted considerable variations in appearance. The colour intensity and speckling differed significantly across brands, and the egg sizes also varied noticeably between different bags.
In terms of flavour, two options stood out positively, exhibiting distinct and appealing tastes reminiscent of Nestle Nesquick chocolate milkshake mix and M&M’s candies. Conversely, one supermarket’s offering was deemed underwhelming, characterised by an overpowering “cheap chocolate flavour”.
Lidl Mister Choc Mini Eggs: 5/10
Lidl’s Easter selection, Mister Choc Mini Eggs, priced at £1.25 for 80g, received an average score of 5 out of 10.
Testers were impressed by the budget retailer’s mini eggs’ attractive pastel shades and uniform appearance, voting them the most visually appealing among the five brands. However, a peculiar chocolate flavour detracted from the experience. Despite this, the candy shell was commended for its satisfying “crispness,” a quality lacking in some competitors.
Priced 60p less than Cadbury Mini Eggs for an 80g bag, Lidl’s version presents a worthwhile purchase when shopping at Lidl and seeking a sugary treat. However, taste testers generally agreed that they did not fully replicate the benchmark product.
Aldi Dairyfine Mini Chocolate Eggs: 5/10
Aldi’s Dairyfine Mini Chocolate Eggs, also £1.25 for 80g, appeal to those seeking a small, chocolatey, and crunchy snack. These pastel-coloured eggs distinguished themselves with a more pointed shape, immediately differentiating them from Cadbury’s rounder form.
Taste testers described the flavour as “acceptable”; however, the candy shell’s softness lacked the desired crunch. With minimal contrast between the shell and chocolate and a somewhat bland chocolate taste, product reviewers rated these equivalent to Lidl’s offering.
Sainsbury’s Speckled Mini Eggs: 8.5/10
Sainsbury’s Speckled Mini Eggs, available in 80g bags for £1.50, proved popular with taste testers and were likened in flavour to M&M’s chocolate. Notably smaller than the other eggs in the comparison, Sainsbury’s eggs faced criticism for their “artificial” colours, which were more intense than the pastel tones of rival brands.
Nevertheless, testers lauded the chocolate flavour as genuinely delicious. While the shell was not as thick, it still provided a pleasing crunch. Achieving a high score of 8.5 out of 10, these eggs ranked among the top performers.
Morrisons Mini Speckled Milk Chocolate Eggs: 2/10
Morrisons Mini Speckled Milk Chocolate Eggs (£1.25 for 80g) received the lowest rating, scoring only 2 out of 10. These mini eggs were described as having an excessively sugary taste, lacking a prominent cocoa flavour.
In terms of appearance, the eggs exhibited faded colours and a “washed-out” look. Taste testers noted a less pronounced chocolate aroma compared to other brands, and the shell was thin and lacked crispness.
In contrast, Morrisons Mini Milk Chocolate Orange Eggs (£1.25 for 80g), though not included in the main mini egg comparison, were deemed significantly more palatable. They offered a favourable balance of orange and chocolate notes in each bite and were quickly consumed by the testers.
Cadbury Mini Eggs: 6.5/10
The original Cadbury Mini Eggs (£1.85 for 80g) impressed tasters with their consistent shape and speckled pastel candy shells. The shells were praised for their delightful crispness, and the chocolate centre stood out for its cocoa flavour, which some likened to chocolate milkshake powder.
However, opinions were divided. One tester described the taste as “unpleasant” and “powdery,” awarding a very low score of one due to an overly sweet aroma. Conversely, others found the scent of Cadbury Mini Eggs appealing and noticeably moreish, evidenced by the rapid depletion of the sample.
Conclusion: Sainsbury’s Crowned Best Overall
Sainsbury’s emerged as the winner in this mini egg taste comparison, primarily due to their superior flavour profile, achieving widespread approval from taste testers. These supermarket eggs are also 35p cheaper per bag than Cadbury Mini Eggs, and their smaller size creates the visual impression of greater quantity for the same 80g weight.
Sainsbury’s packaging is also more compact compared to Cadbury’s, which uses considerable excess plastic around the top portion of the egg container.
Aldi and Lidl performed reasonably well as budget-friendly alternatives. At £1.25 per bag, they offer a 60p saving compared to Cadbury Mini Eggs. Nevertheless, the authentic Cadbury product remains a popular choice and readily identifiable, even in a blind taste test.