A bargain supermarket’s own-label baked beans has been named as the best tasting ahead of established and pricier brands like Heinz for the title of best beans in the UK. Which? were impressed by Aldi’s Bramwell Baked Beans following a consumer taste test.
Experts asked 66 people to blind-taste and rate baked beans from a host of brands, including Branston alongside other supermarket versions from Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco among others. The consumer champion found the cheaper alternative helps you save money without compromising on taste. They worked out if you get through two tins a week on average, a year’s supply comes in at £42.64 compared to £145.60 for Heinz – saving a whopping £103, or in other words, around 251 more cans of Aldi’s budget baked beans.
One 410g tin will set you back just 41p, while Heinz’ beloved version is priced at £1.40 per 415g. But value isn’t the only reason that sees Aldi sitting pretty at the top of the rankings.
A Which? spokesperson explained: “Aldi’s beans came top in this year’s taste test. Our tasters thought the beans looked great, had an appealing aroma, and the majority said the strength of flavour was perfect.
“The texture of the beans was deemed just right – neither too firm nor too soft – by 80%, and a similar proportion approved of the sauce too. That all-important, comforting sweetness was found to be spot-on by 79% of the panel.”
While Which? gave Best Buy to second-placed Branston’s Baked Beans.
The taste testers found them appetising, looking good with good flavour, but pale in comparison to Aldi’s beans when it comes to price – with a multi-pack of four priced at £2.50, meaning one can comes to around 63p – 22p more expensive.
For more information, and to buy yourself some of Aldi’s budget baked beans, visit the supermarket’s website.
While to view the results of Which?’s consumer taste test in full, including finding out how the likes of Heinz, Co-op, M&S and more got off, click here.
Which? taste-tested the baked beans in September 2024. Prices and availability checked and correct as of January 31, 2025.
