We tested supermarket beans versus more expensive rivals – but which brand came out on top?

IF there is one food item most of us have stashed away in a cupboard, it’s the humble tin of baked beans.

For go-to cheap and quick meals, they are great on toast or with a jacket potato.

But beans does not have to mean Heinz. With food prices spiralling, a supermarket version could save you at least 60p.

Here, we put them to the test.

Aldi Corale, 420g, 32p

Lynsey says: These soft haricot beans were in a thick, almost sticky tomato sauce. I found them quite heavy, too sweet and the sauce was a little bland. This tin also contains the highest amount of sugar.

TASTE: 4
VALUE: 6
SCORE: 5

Lidl Newgate, 420g, 32p

Lynsey says: Lidl’s beans were my least favourite of all. Before I even put them into my mouth, I thought that they smelt bad. The sauce was too thick and they went all mushy after I warmed them up.

TASTE: 1
VALUE: 3
SCORE: 2

Essential Waitrose, 400g, 40p

Lynsey says: These beans looked paler than most of the others and I didn’t hold out high hopes for the taste. But I was pleasantly surprised. They are more expensive than some at 40p, but still 60p cheaper than the market leader.

TASTE: 9
VALUE: 6
SCORE: 9

Asda, 410g, 32p

Lynsey says: The sauce here was quite sweet, with a cheesy aroma, but I liked the flavour. The beans are thick, with a chewy skin, and could be more tender. A smaller can than at other supermarkets, but it’s no cheaper.

TASTE: 4
VALUE: 5
SCORE: 4

Sainsbury’s, 400g, 35p

Lynsey says: They come in a nice tin and they looked appealing after warming, unlike some others that went a bit mushy. The sauce is slightly sweeter than Heinz, but they were very moreish, and 65p cheaper.

TASTE: 8
VALUE: 9
SCORE: 8

Tesco, 420g, 35p

Lynsey says: At first glance, this tin seemed to contain a lot of sauce and not so many beans. But they tasted good and I served them to my kids who didn’t complain. The only thing different to Heinz is the price.

TASTE: 8
VALUE: 10
SCORE: 9

Heinz, 415g, £1

Lynsey says: Having tried so many varieties, I realised there was nothing special about these. They taste nice, but so do many others. Big-store alternatives have really come on in taste — and the saving can be delicious, too.

TASTE: 7
VALUE: 2
SCORE: 6

Morrisons, 410g, 39p

Lynsey says: They looked appealing and made me think of those delicious fry-ups you get for breakfast if you stay in a traditional British B&B. I won’t go back to buying Heinz now as these were so good.

TASTE: 10
VALUE: 9
SCORE: 10