CHEESE sales are melting away – but which supermarket does it best?
After two years of significant growth during the pandemic, sales have since nosedived.
We tested supermarket own-brand cream cheese
It’s thought to be because shoppers are no longer stockpiling fridges, but also down to recent price hikes.
“Shoppers are cutting back purchases in the category or switching to cheaper alternatives, such as own label,” says Matthew Fleming, senior analytics executive at NielsenIQ.
Sales of the big cream cheese brand Philadelphia fell by six per cent but as a pack now costs around £2.20, perhaps it’s a luxury many of us can no longer afford.
We asked mum-of-three Lynsey Hope, 41, to taste test some own brand soft cheese to see how they compare to the market leader.
Here she shares her verdict:
Full Fat Soft Cheese by Sainsbury’s (300g)
- £2
This was our favourite one
Lynsey says: “Just as good as the leading brand if not better.
“It has a subtle creamy flavour and a thick and smooth texture. No watery stuff like many of the other own brands.
“It’s a generous size tub – nearly double the amount of Philadelphia – and its 20p cheaper.
“A winning option from Sainsbury’s.”
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall: 10/10
- Total score: 30/30
Essential Waitrose Soft Cheese (250g)
- £1.65
You won’t be disappointed with this one
Lynsey says: “A lovely creamy soft cheese. Perfect for sandwiches, pasta and cheesecake. A reasonable price for the quality.
“You won’t be disappointed with this.”
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall: 9/10
- Total score: 27/30
Aldi Emporium Full Fat Soft Cheese (200g)
- 85p
We were very impressed with this
Lynsey says: “Aldi’s is the cheapest tub we could find. Buy one of these a week instead of Philadelphia and you’ll save over £70 in a year.
“That’s a brilliant saving. Does it taste as good? I think maybe it does. It has a lovely creamy texture and is rich in flavour.
“It’s thicker than some others and closer in consistency.
“Even the tub looks similar to Philadelphia but Emporium cheese comes from an award-winning dairy farm in the Cheshire countryside.
“A brilliant, money saving dupe.”
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall: 9/10
- Total score: 26/30
Morrisons Soft Cheese Smooth & Creamy (200g)
- £1.19
We were impressed by Morrisons
Lynsey says: “A bargain option here. I was actually very impressed with this soft cheese from Morrisons.
“It is soft and creamy as the pack promises. There is no watery film.
“It’s over a quid cheaper than the market leader and there’s more in the tub. A brilliant choice.”
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall: 8/10
- Total score: 24/30
Asda Creamy Original Soft Cheese (200g)
- £1.20
Asda’s is still a very valid option, but could be cheaper
Lynsey says: “I used to buy Asda’s for 70p so a bit shocking to see how much more expensive it has become.
“That said, this is a good budget option and still a £1 cheaper than the big brand – and you get more of it.
“Soft, creamy, lovely taste. I doubt you’ll find anything better for the price.”
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall: 8/10
- Total score: 23/30
Original Philadelphia (165g)
- £2.20
Price is the problem with this one
Lynsey says: “Creamy and a lovely flavour, this is a staple in many family fridges. It’s perfect for savoury and sweet dishes.
“I can’t fault the taste, the problem is the price. It’s £2.20 for a small 165g tub and with three kids to feed, this doesn’t last very long in my house.
“Waitrose is 55p cheaper and you get 85g more – it’s a no brainer.
“Whilst delicious, in today’s climate this is too expensive.”
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall: 6/10
- Total score: 19/30
Lidl Milbona Full Fat Soft Cheese (200g)
- 89p
Lidl is not our top choice
Lynsey says: “The foil split when I tried to open the packet and there was a film of liquid over the copy.
“I found this to be quite off-putting and the cheese itself was thinner and more watery.
“It tasted ok but I wouldn’t rush back – even at just 89p for 200g, it’s not my top choice.”
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall: 5/10
- Total score: 18/30
Tesco Soft Cheese (200g)
- £1.20
Tesco’s was disappointing
Lynsey says: “Soft and too runny, nothing like Philadelphia.
“Even when I first opened there was a film of wet liquid across the top.
“I didn’t like it and threw it out before its best before date as it didn’t look right and didn’t taste good.”
- Taste: 3/10
- Value: 3/10
- Overall: 3/10
- Total score: 9/30
