Cost and taste comparison: Supermarket brands vs. McVitie's
In the midst of a cost of living crisis, big-brand biscuit sales, such as McVitie's Hobnobs, have taken a hit. Meanwhile, own-label brands have seen a 6.4% increase in sales. Sun reporter Thea Jacobs decided to put supermarket versions of Hobnobs to the test against the real deal, and the results were surprising.
McVitie's Hobnobs: Classic but overpriced
Price: £1.50 for 255g
McVitie's Hobnobs are the quintessential oaty treat that we all know and love. However, they come with a hefty price tag and you get 75g less than the supermarket alternatives. While they maintain their shape and have the perfect level of sweetness, Jacobs found that she would rather buy two packs of cheaper Sainsbury's versions for the same price.
Score: 3/5
Tower Gate Oaties: Dark and less sweet
Price: 55p for 300g (Lidl)
Tower Gate Oaties are darker in color compared to the others. They require a strong bite to break into, but hold their shape when dunked into tea. These biscuits are not as sweet as the originals, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. However, they did not become Jacobs' favorite.
Score: 4/5
Oaties: Lacking sweetness
Price: 80p for 300g (Tesco)
Tesco's Oaties taste so oaty that they might as well be a porridge mix. They lack the expected sweetness of a biscuit. While they are better value than McVitie's, Jacobs was in no rush to stock her cupboard with them. She found this imitation to be a poor one.
Score: 2/5
Belmont, Crumbly Oaties: Perfect for dunking
Price: 55p for 300g (Aldi)
Belmont's Crumbly Oaties are slightly thicker than the original Hobnobs, but that is the only noticeable difference. They have a great oaty start and finish with a sweetness running through. These biscuits are perfect for dunking as they don't break apart but become perfectly mushy.
Score: 4/5
Mini Oat Biscuits: Small and lacking flavor
Price: £1.50 for 125g (Waitrose)
Waitrose's Mini Oat Biscuits come at the same price as McVitie's originals, but you get half as many. As the packet suggests, they are very small and look pale in comparison. They taste more like shortbread than oat biscuits, which may be fine for some, but doesn't work as a replacement for a Hobnob.
Score: 1/5 – LOSER
Oat Nobblies: Finely ground oats with a perfect balance
Price: 80p for 300g (Morrisons)
Oat Nobblies have finely ground oats, which makes them feel less like an authentic Hobnob. However, they have a perfect balance of sweetness and oaty flavor. They also hold their shape when dunked into a cup of tea, which is a great bonus. If they were a bit cheaper, they would be perfect.
Score: 4/5
Oaty Rounds: The ultimate Hobnob imitation
Price: 60p for 300g (Sainsbury's)
Sainsbury's Oaty Rounds take the crown as the winner in Jacobs' taste test. They are almost a perfect imitation of the original Hobnob biscuits. The only noticeable difference is that they are slightly paler in color. The oats are left intact, giving them a great texture, and they have a nice sweetness that isn't overpowering.
Score: 5/5
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/money/shoppers-go-crazy-for-new-kinder-chocolate-at-bm/
