I tried you don't have to.

[GettingStuffed]

I suspect I'm not the only one who does taste tests in the run up to Christmas.I

So far I've tried

Lidl mince pies, pastry is fantastic crisp with a good flavour , let down by the filling just tastes like a mixed fruit pie
Tesco bog standard, pastry is far too crumbly it disintegrated as I took it out of its cup. The filling was much better than Lidl's with a good boozy taste.

Lidl salt and pepper mixed nuts with olives. I've never had crispy olives before but the were a revelation.
Tesco salted caramel party mix. Loving this, it has nuts, pretzel bits, chocolate covered nuts, Malteser type things , chocolate buttons. A must have.

If you've tried anything perhaps you could say what they were and what you thought of them

Sainsburys taste the difference gluten free mini Mince pies are delightful if you need a gf option

Not specifically Christmassy but we've just had Cathedral City cheesy broccoli & peas with dinner. It was absolutely gorgeous. They sell it in Iceland.

OP you are brilliant! Great idea for a thread (heads out to buy Christmas food so can try!!)

I'm going to taste test the Aldi winter berry & sicilian lemon roulade for Christmas & I may need to have more than one taste test to be sure so it's best to start early.

I've already tried the tub of quality street I bought last week to put away for Christmas

Oh we have had 2 of those already mmmm I highly recommend. Even better with some fresh raspberries and some double cream

Morrisons mince pies are still my favourite.
Im currently devouring Terrys Chocolate Orange snow balls 😁.
Need to try the Tesco mix, somehow ive missed that!

The big Mint Crisp Dairy Milk - Christmas wrapping, think it's 300 grams - we ate it in a couple of nights

Waaay better than regular dairy milk

Oh gawwwwwd I can't have it in the house 😅 normally I can be really restrained with chocolate but the is different 😅 the orange flavour though I'm not bothered about. Love Snow Ball bar and Winter Wonderland 😋

Although I 100% agree with you I may have to test several boxes just to be sure! Aldi florentines are one of the best bits about Christmas!

Great thread OP!

What a great idea! If anyone finds any new vegan Christmas stuff please shout because it sells out so quickly.

can i please watch? it's mine turn to di xmas this year!!!

I managed to accidentally Kiplings "Festive Pies". The conclusion from the mince pie fans was they are pretty much a mince pie just a bit lacking in filling.

We also went down a rabbit hole trying to work out if Kipling has renamed Mince Pies "Festive Pies" or this was a completely different product. I will do more research in Asda tomorrow.

(I like a home made Mince Pie but not shop bought. Its the pastry)

@MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel i’m exactly the same, really hate anything with nuts in, dried fruits of any description which lurk in everything from October onwards 🤢
Christmas cake, mince pies, boozy chocolate,
florentines, ferrero rocher, those biscuits with icing (lebkuchen or something?!), TURKEY, just everything! Hate it all!
i like chocolate.

@PoseyFlump I have taste tested the M&S vegan cheese straws and it only took 1 sitting, very efficient. I will get them again for sure. I’d describe them as a Parmesan-ish vibe (although haven’t eaten real cheese in a decade to compare it to)

Boozy chocolate, only at Christmas, just the one box…. - Famous names Signature choc b&m. I just can’t help myself.
Bloody love Aldi Stollen.
Sainsbury Christmas pud.
Greggs mince pies
Brandy bloody sauce 👌🏻

I need to lose a stone in prep😔

Aldi Lebkuchen very nice - apricot jam in both milk and dark chocolate versions

Lidl Lebkuchen slightly nicer - cherry jam in the dark chocolate, apricot in the milk.

Both also apparently contain crack (as so moreish) but this not listed in the ingredients, prob some EU regulation.

I’ve taste tasted (ahem! My excuse and I’m sticking to it) Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi and Co-op’s mince pies so far this year, and the Co-ops are by far the best for flavour, pastry holds up taking it out of the foil, feeling is deep enough too. 😋

Ooh I've got a few to add.
Tesco sweet and salted pretzel Christmas trees - a bit dull. Definitely not salty enough. Basically just pretzels with some powdered sugar.

Iceland Baileys 'the original' ice cream - not too rich, goes down a treat. Has only lasted two eves here 🐷

Tesco own brand cranberry sauce. The 60p version. Really fancied Brie and cranberry earlier. Not a fan, Odd pink colour, tasted of artificial sweetener. Lumpy tough cranberries.

Tesco Cambozola blue Brie - incredible!

Me too. Talk about moreish.

I always get the Aldi Christmas pudding - in fact I got it yesterday and it is sitting in splendour on the worktop in the kitchen as I type.

Waitrose essential mince pies are vegan and lovely

I've seen the Sainsbury Bakery Shortcrust Mince Pies but I've resisted (so far they are my No1 Mince Pie .

i'm trying out different soups (in the soupmaker) so I can produce some (hopefully) effortless light meals

I'm looking for some mindblowing chocolate (for me) as I have managed to give up but I'm going to get off the wagon for a couple of days .
So far on my list is Lakrids Chocolate Liquorice but I'm looking to add to it

Ooh and Sainsbury Taste The Difference Blood Orange Curd .
Lovely on toast and will be amazing on Panatonne

Ooooh they sound good, they're going on the list!!

This is me too!! I search the shops looking for Christmassy food that I will like!