A festive alert has been issued for British households stocking up on cheese for Christmas, as a major consumer test reveals a popular brand is being outperformed by supermarket rivals.
Blind Taste Test Crowns a New Champion
In a surprise result, the long-standing favourite Cathedral City Mature Cheddar was outscored by several other varieties in a rigorous blind taste test conducted by Which? magazine. The consumer champion put eight popular cheddars to the test in September 2024, using a panel of 76 regular cheddar buyers of mixed ages and genders.
The clear winner was Tesco Finest Mature English Cheddar Cheese, which topped the ranking with an impressive score of 78%. This means shoppers at the UK's largest supermarket may be buying a superior product without realising it.
The Full Cheese Ranking Revealed
The test results provide a detailed guide for consumers looking for quality and value. Cathedral City Mature Cheddar, priced at £3.50 for 350g, finished in a joint-fifth place with a score of 70%.
Here is the complete ranking from the Which? taste test:
- Tesco Finest Mature English Cheddar Cheese – 78%
- Davidstow Classic Cheddar – 75%
- M&S Cornish Cove Mature Cheddar Cheese (£4.25 for 350g) – 73%
- Castello Tickler Mature Cheddar Cheese (£4.75 for 300g) – 71%
- Cathedral City Our Mature Cheddar and Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar (£4.20 for 350g) – both 70%
- Sainsbury’s Barber’s Mature Cruncher Cheese, Taste the Difference (£4 for 350g) – 69%
- Aldi Specially Selected West Country Mature Cheddar (£2.99 for 350g) – 68%
- Co-op Irresistible Somerset Mature Cheddar Cheese (£4.50 for 340g) – 66%
What This Means for Your Christmas Shopping
The findings challenge the assumption that well-known branded cheeses are always the best choice. Jessica Carson, Food and Health Editor at Which?, commented on the results, stating: "Getting your hands on an affordable and delicious cheddar cheese is a must for many shoppers, and our taste test reveals that own brands are cheaper and tastier than some big names."
This revelation is particularly timely as families prepare for Christmas gatherings and festive meals. The test suggests that switching from a branded cheddar like Cathedral City to a supermarket's own premium range, especially at Tesco or Marks & Spencer, could enhance your cheeseboard while potentially saving money.
The research underscores the value of supermarket own-label products, with the winning Tesco Finest cheese demonstrating that high scores are not dependent on a standalone brand name. For cost-conscious consumers, Aldi's offering also presented a strong budget option, coming in seventh but at a significantly lower price point.
