Budget turkeys stuff their expensive rivals in taste tests

A BUDGET Christmas meal could be on the menu for millions of families if the results of blind taste tests are any indicator.

Food from Iceland, Aldi and Lidl all scored well on quality and taste – despite their lower prices – in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s annual survey.

Iceland’s 4.2kg (9lbs) Easy Carve Turkey with Streaky Bacon, priced at £26, won its category, with tasters loving its gamey, rich flavour and honey sweetness. It beat more expensive options, such as the 6kg (13lbs) Eversfield Organic Bronze Turkey at £95.70.

Iceland also won the Stilton category with its Luxury British Blue Stilton at £2 for 200g. It was marginally ahead of several more expensive rivals, such as the Booths Potted Blue Stilton at £10 for 300g.

Aldi had the most top-five placings across the 17 categories of food and drink, winning the best beef roasting joint with its Specially Selected Bone in Rib of Beef Joint with Salt and Pepper.

Lidl had the best sausage meat stuffing with its Deluxe Apricot & White Stilton Stuffing at £2.39 for 300g. The best sparkling wine went to a product sold by Amazon for the first time with its Laborie Methode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010, which costs £14.95.

Good Housekeeping’s Caroline Bloor said yesterday: ‘We all know how busy Christmas can be, so we aim to try to make it that little bit less stressful – and with 401 products tested this year, we’ve hopefully done just that.’