Flora Buttery product test feedback thread - £200 John Lewis voucher to be won

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the 250 Mumsnetters who are taking part in the Flora Buttery challenge.

Here's what Flora have to say, "Lovingly blended for a flavoursome buttery taste, Flora Buttery has a splash of buttermilk mixed in with our natural sunflower goodness. Buttery is super easy to spread and that also means that it's magic for mixing, especially when baking with the kids - it's super for special cakes or every day cupcakes alike, and also makes a mean icing! Check out our website for some recipes that we know will soon become super-speedy family favourites.

Why not find out if you're a better baker with Flora Buttery?"


Testers were given a voucher to buy Flora Buttery.

We've got a set of questions we'd like you to answer about using Flora Buttery, but please also feel free to add any other thoughts you may have.

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?
• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

All testers who leave their feedback on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[Macdog]

Still no voucher here....

[maxybrown]

nor me macdog :( and there are others so can't just be the post

[Fumnudge]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge? Anchor spreadable lighter
• How did find swoping to Flora Buttery? Fine, bit more buttery than my usual
• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery? packaging a bit 1970's
• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc? Equally as spreadable, more buttery tasting, didn't sweat like some substitutes
• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not? Probably not as I prefer the 'lighter' lower fat quality of my usual
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? Yes as my mother uses full fat spreads (Clover) and I preferred the Flora taste

[Follyfoot]

- What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
Butter or Lurpak Spreadable

- How did find swapping to Flora Buttery?
It looked very 'margariney' in the tub. Bright yellow and with the slightly odd very opaque and slightly dull look that margarine has.

- What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
Not great to be honest. Didnt like the fatty coating it left in my mouth, the colour made me think about additives and the flavour was very rich but in a slightly chemical way.

- How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
I wasnt as keen, definitely prefer the items I normally use

- Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
Probably not, no

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
No, it was just too synthetic tasting for us.

Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this product test though

[iamaredsmartie]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?

Used real butter to bake with, spreadable butter spread for sarnies

• How did find swoping to Flora Buttery?

Easy

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Easy to spread, very easy to bake with, gave a nice sponge texture

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

Not as buttery as real butter, but then I wouldn't expect that as its not butter. Texture the same as my current spreadable

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?

No, because I wasn't that keen on the taste, to artificial

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

If they were after a good spread suitable for spreading and baking without being too buttery then yes, I would recommend it, otherwise no because I didn't like the taste.

[Crazybit]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?

Whatever is on offer, usually Utterly Butterly.

• How did find swapping to Flora Buttery?

Easy

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

All fine, nobody noticed a difference.

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

It was actually quite similar.

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would as it can be used for many different things, and tastes nice.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes I would I guess, but I wouldn't have thought that it would!

[IsawJimmykissingSantaClaus]

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
Proper butter but it is too expensive.

How did find swapping to Flora Buttery?
Fine. It made no difference using this to real butter. Plus it was nice not having to remember to get the butter out of the fridge to soften.

What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
Felt quite posh having a brand name product in my trolley! We usually buy the value products. Tub was easy to open. Spread was easy to spread - I have tried other butters in tubs before which did not spread well. Everyone liked it in this house.

How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
It was fine. Nothing is going to taste as lovely as real butter but this was definitely tastier than margarine. A good compromise as butter is quite pricey. It had a lovely, smooth texture and was very easy to spread. This was satisfying for my preschooler who likes to make her own sandwich.

Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
If it's on offer we would definitely buy it. If our finances improve we would buy it. If our finances improved greatly we would buy butter!

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes I would.

[Fletch049]

I still haven't received the voucher for this hopefully will turn up this week

[michele1970]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?

Before this challenge I used Clover margarine as a spread and Kerrygold butter for baking

• How did find swoping to Flora Buttery?

Swapping was not a problem except that I originally had trouble locating it in my local supermarket!

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Excellent! It was lovely and soft which made it very easy to spread on bread and toast straight from the fridge. It had a lovely buttery taste and my children both loved it. My husband is a bit of a butter connoisseur so I thought he would be harder to convince but I spread some on fresh bread and didn't tell him what it was and he loved it! He said it tasted just like butter. It was very easy to bake with and because it was so soft it was easier than my usual butter to blend in with sugar when making cakes.

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

As a family we agreed that we liked the taste better than the Clover we were using before. The texture is definitely softer which makes it more user friendly for my 10 year old to use. We all loved it.

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, we have already swapped to using Flora Buttery because it is easy to use, tastes great and is lovely to bake with.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes, I have already recommended it to my sister and friends. My sister had some at my house and commented on how nice it was, she has since brought some for herself.

[DeckTheHallsWithBoughsOfHorry]

It is £1 in Morrisons at the moment.

[babsmam]

I'm still hoping for mine too fletch

[YourHandInMyHand]

I am just checking in to say I still haven't received my voucher so cannot answer the questions yet.

[maxybrown]

Seems quite a few of is not got them yet then!

[Ticktock80]

I'm still waiting too.

[Teladi]

Also still waiting. Couldn't put off buying butter for my Christmas cookie baking anymore either!

[Faithless12]

Still waiting, but got an email to say they should be sent out again this week I think.

[mummylovescakes]

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
We use Clover for toast and spreading on bread and sandwiches and I use supermarket butter for baking.

How did find swopping to Flora Buttery?
Very easy

What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
Very buttery on toast and ok in cakes. I'm afraid I still like butter in cakes.

How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
Taste was fine on bread and toast. The kids liked it more than I did. The texture is similar to our usual spread.

Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
Possibly, if it was on special offer. I would not use it in cakes and baking as I don't think it gives the right flavour.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not
Sorry I wouldn't. It just isn't that special. I don't usually talk about spreads to my friends or family!

Thanks for letting me try this anyway.

[LoveIdris]

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
Very little as my cooking skills/time to cook diminished after 4th child!! Keen to get back in the saddle

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

My DD's are fussy about which Spread they like so was very aprehensive

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Scared of butter substitutes as have had scary experiences of them but ws very pleasently suprised. Wasnt synthetic tasting

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

We often buy Flora and used to that taste but also use butter.Flora Butter doesnt compare in taste to butter so dont expect this but had a good taste- my DD's prefered this to Clover|!

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not? Price will determine weather its affordable as normally urge towards decent spread on offer
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? Because I rarely talk about baking and cooking... and if I do , I am too busy taking notes about techniques etc. I really enjoyed trying Flora Butterey though and actually made time to cook fairy cakes(which incidently were delicious!)

[Willemdefoeismine]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?

I was brought up using margarine for making cakes etc...but switched to butter when I had my DCs much to my Mother's chagrin!

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

I've been using it for cooking primarily and I've found it very easy to use and enjoyed the resulting fruit crumble and lemon drizzle cake (pictures to follow). It's just softer to use - a real issue at this time of the year with butter!

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Very positive for cooking so could see swapping (isn't this the correct spelling and not swopping??) over to using Flora Buttery but I think there would be a riot if I tried substituting it for butter for sandwiches and toast...

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

Cooked into a cake or crumble I couldn't tell the difference in taste although both were less 'oily' than the equivalents made with butter.

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?

I think for cooking yes, as I'm sure I heard it said on some cookery programme that margarine makes lighter cakes and who am I to argue with that? The 500g tub I exchanged for my voucher (didn't get the BOGOF in my Sainos) was worth £2 which is about the same price as Lidl butter so not much in it price-wise.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

I would for cooking but not sure about using it as a butter substitute for spreading...

Thanks for letting me be involved in this product trial. It's always good to challenge habits and try something new!

[Sparkles23]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge? Usually butter or sunflower oil for baking and other flora or clover for spreading
• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery? Yes it was nice-a v good butter substitute for toast!
• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery? I liked it
• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc? Much nicer than usual spreads, closer to butter tasting
• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes as its a good butter sub and prefer how it melts into toast compared to some spreads-closer to butter. I don't think if use it for baking as not convinced it would be totally safe, and is be worried the cooking process would alter it and make it like a trans fat! But for toast and sarnies great!
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? Yes I think so-as tastes nice

[JParkson]

I found my voucher! It came through last week then 'D'H tidied up the kitchen - lethal!

I shall pop out and get some later and let you know how I get on :)

[SaltySeaBird]

Since my earlier feedback DH has had a change of heart. I was just doing my shopping list and he asked if we can go back to Clover this week even if the Flora buttery was on offer as apparently it is too soft and feels half melted straight from the fridge.

He doesn't seem to object to the taste, just can't get his head around the texture!

[Mammabear31]

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?

It depends on whio does the shopping! DH prefers olive oil based margerines, but I would usually get utterly butterly or clover as I prefer their taste on toast.

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

We've use flora butterly before, as mentioned previously I prefer the buttery taste compared to margerines that just taste like nothing. I liked the product, but it was honestly no different to the other brands we have tried. I used it to make biscuits and a couple of sponge cakes, on which I normally use butter and I couldn't taste any difference (and neither could DH) which is good - it was much easier to use this for baking, as it was already "softened" unlike butter.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

A good product, if not a little expensive for what it is. At first I was a little apprehensive as it didn't look appetising - very "shiny" and plasticy, but as I wrote above thankfully the taste was fine.

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?

It was definately better than margerine, which I don't really like. It had a buttery taste but was a bit oily and due to the softness, it just didn't seem "right" ... I can't explain it any better really, I know that's not very useful sorry!

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?

I think I would, if I was baking and it was on offer. However I wouldn't use it day to day as I didn't like the texture on my food.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

I would recommend it for baking, as the softness means it is ready straight from the fridge. However for day to day use, no I wouldn't....sorry!!


Thanks for letting me take part in this product test :)

[candyflosscloud]

Still no voucher after having Flora saying to me on Twitter that another one had been sent out. If I don't receive it by the first week after Christmas then I am making a complaint. I have waited and waited and promised my blog readers that I shall be writing them a review whilst baking Christmas cookies. Well Christmas is less then a week away and I doubt it's going to happen. At this rate the only blog post that will be made to do with flora will be a rant at how bad their services are.

[Spirael]

- What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
Unsalted butter for baking with, olive/sunflower oil (usually a spray) for cooking with and an olive oil based spread for sandwiches and similar.

- How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?
It was an interesting experiment. My DH couldn't tell any difference, but I could. I liked the initial buttery taste of the Flora, but there was an aftertaste that I wasn't too keen on. However, as a disclaimer, I am pregnant at the moment and have been finding strange aftertastes on a lot of foods that I normally enjoy-!

My DH used the Flora to make a fruit cake as well, as part of the testing. It seemed to work ok and the flavour of the cake was good, but he reckoned the cake cooked slightly quicker than normal.

- What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
It was very easy to spread, my 3 YO has been having an easier time with it compared to what we usually use. It's a nice rich colour and has a yummy buttery smell too. The packaging has held up to the manhandling of a toddler without splitting.

- How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
For spreading on sandwiches, I think the texture was nicer, and the initial taste was slightly better, but the lasting taste was not quite so good.

- Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
I might do, but I tend to choose spreads based whether they're on offer and default to an olive one if there are no offers. Maybe make a Flora Buttery with olive oil?

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
I might do, but I can't say I discuss butter/spreads very often or even at all!