Express.co.uk tried the Hot Hot Hot Cross Buns, Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns, Blueberry and Lemon Hot Cross Buns, and Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns released by Co-op for Easter.
While the team tore off bits of them to chew into, one unanimous agreement formed – they all had a great texture, but that’s where the similarities ended.
The Hot Hot Hot Cross Buns were controversial because of a “savoury taste” that would make it a “great sandwich”.
One imagined the buns would be “good with chicken or cream cheese” while somebody described the experience as “very odd”.
The spicy buns were either considered “a good unique option” or downright bizarre – with one person displeased saying “it’s not very traditional”.
Overall, the people who enjoyed the flavour and could handle its uniqueness rated the Hot Hot Hot Buns highly, giving them a solid eight out of 10.
Those on the less appreciative side, however, valued the ingenuity but rated the buns two out of 10 because the break from tradition was far too great.
As for the Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns, these Co-op creations were well received by many.
People enjoyed the “subtle zest” the buns offered and said the orange flavour added freshness to the buns.
One person said: “These are good for hot cross buns.” Another added: “I would have this on its own [meaning with no added butter or anything because they tasted so good].”
While the buns were delightfully described as “chocolate heaven”, all agreed that the buns were “soft and moist”.
Overall, the marks out of 10 all hovered around the eight mark – with one person giving the buns 10 out of 10.
The Blueberry and Lemon Hot Cross Buns, however, were not liked very much at all.
While the buns were “fragrant”, and smelt like blueberry muffins, the taste was described as “artificial”.
“They taste less good than they smell,” one reviewer noted, with another adding: “It’s like eating flowers.”
The majority of the ratings floated around the three out of 10 mark, so these were not as popular as the others.
Coming in as the highest rated were the Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns which were described as the “perfect traditional hot cross bun”.
One commented: “It tastes like a real hot cross bun.” Another said: “Perfection.” Someone else said: “It’s very, very nice. I can not stress that highly enough.”
