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

Redkites!

any update MN?

It's on offer for a £1 at the minute in Iceland too grrr

never got my voucher so cant anwser questions

Still waiting here too. An update would be good MN. I know it's only a tub of fake butter, but it's not looking very professional of Flora tbh.

Still waiting for my voucher....

Still waiting here too for voucher to arrive

Hi everyone, both Flora and us at MNHQ are very sorry for the delay in getting vouchers to some of you - the vouchers are being prepared (they needed to be reprinted) and will be sent out soon.

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

Anything that is on offer at the supermarket. Could be Flora, could be shop's own, use a lot of Stork because it comes in huge size.

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

Didn't mind at all.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Really happy with it. Use it mostly on kid's sandwiches. Easy to spread straight from the fridge. Looks like butter. Kids did not comment which is actually a good thing because they didn't notice the change. As well as buying butter which we keep on top on the fridge in a butter pot, we always like to keep a spreadable butter/spread in the fridge.

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

Tastes just like butter.

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

Yes but only if it's on special offer.

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

Yes definitely.

Never received my voucher and now keep getting apologising emails saying the voucher for the flora buttery will be sent out shortly

I've never received my voucher either, despite apology emails.

I'm not sure I can be bothered now.

Glad I'm not the only one that's still not got it, was tempted to get some on my last shop just to do the test, but not really feeling the love for flora after this

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

Clover light

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

We loved it. No problem finding it in stores and tastes great.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Very good

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

I think it was softer than clover but I liked that - easier to spread. Tasted good on toast, some others I find disgusting when melted.

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

Yes

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

I probably would recommend although my friends tend to go for 'light' versions.

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

Various other spreads, some 'buttery' ones so was interested to compare.

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

As we use a variety of spreads it was not difficult to make an adjustment to a new one.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

We liked Flora Buttery. None of the family noticed a change in a negative sense.

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

Flora buttery has a nice texture - one that I am used to having grown up with the original Flora.
I didn't think it was as buttery in flavour as some of the other buttery spreads I have used in the past. The reason I enjoy these spreads is because I like the taste of butter but dislike the additional greasiness and the problems with keeping fresh when out of the fridge, so this was a slight negative in my opinion.

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

I would definitely use it again if it was on offer but I generally choose what spread to use on this basis so am not very product loyal!

• 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 on the basis that it is pleasant and it is useful that it can also be used for baking, but not on the basis that it is a 'buttery' spread.

I received my voucher in December but failed (in 3 different supermarkets) to find the product. Then Christmas got in the way and I forgot about it. I've seen it since then in store but have now lost my voucher. Oh dear.

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
I usually use margarine to both to bake with and for sandwiches/toast.
How did you find swapping to Flora Buttery?
I thought using the Flora Buttery was v easy , also I don’t tend to have a brand loyalty when it comes to spreads
What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?
I think it looks and smells like an inbetween of butter & marge.
How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
DH, who is normally fussy, didn’t notice at all!
It was v easy to spread on toast – didn’t create holes in it!
It was great to use for baking – v easy to mix
Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
It was on offer recently and I bought it!
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 recommend Flora Buttery to friends and relatives as it is a good alternative to butter.

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

For cooking - olive, groundnut or sunflower oil, depending on what I was cooking, sometimes butter along with the oil (if using a Nigel Slater recipe, usually!)

For spreading - Bertolli olive spread, very occasional use of unsalted lurpak but I'm the only one who likes it so I only get it occasionally

• for Baking - Stork hard / soft margarine (because this is what my Mum always used and I'm used to the taste and how it cooks)

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

OK, I suppose, a bit non-plussed TBH.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Not as good as butter, not sure about the taste. I couldn't work out if I could detect a different flavour / texture for baking, it seemed different but I couldn't put my finger on it and thought it might be because I was trying to detect a difference and ended up imagining it

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc?
• some of the family didn't like the the taste, especially the kids as they are so used to the olive spread we've had for years

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

I might buy it again, as it's cheaper than Bertolli - but the health benefits of olive spread and the fact that the kids prefer it may mean we end up sticking to Bertolli - they are creatures of habit!

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
• possibly - if they like buttery stuff and want to have a lower fat alternative then it would be a good option

• What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge? Butter
• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

Ok, it doesn't have the same texture for when making pastry etc though

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

It seemed more like a buttery margarine than butter

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

It doesn't really compare to actual butter but would do if nothing else to hand. The texture was a bit too soft for me. The taste was OK but a bit too fake. I couldn't quite establish what it tasted of but it wasn't butter if that makes sense. There was something else.

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

I'll revert to butter but would use it if I had nothing else

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

If it was appropriate then I would, eg if someone had run out of whatever they normally use I'd suggest it

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

I normally used supermarket own unsalted butter for baking and supermarket own brand "light buttery" spread for sandwiches.

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

It wasn't a big difference. I found it very similar to the one I use at present that is supermarket own brand.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

I thought it was very nice.

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

I found it very similar to be honest. I tend to buy supermarket own brand "buttery" spread and this goes down well with all the family. I found the Flora brand to be much of a sameness (but maybe more expensive).

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

I did not find it any different to be honest to the one I normally use from Lidl but obviously the price tag makes a huge difference.

• 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 as it was nice but I think there are other brands on the market that do just as good a job and taste as nice with a smaller price tag.

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before this challenge?
Utterly butterly or butter

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

The cakes I made with it were very good, I'm impressed. Both for baking and also for the butter cream.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Very favourable

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

Better than the margarine we were using, although for sandwiches/toast 50% of the household still preferred butter. But the margarine lovers really liked it.

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

Yes, most definitely for cake baking, it gave the cakes a lovely colour and texture, better than anything else I've tried

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

Yes, because its a good product, especially for baking.

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

Madeira cake

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

No problem at all. Made it easier to beat the sugar in.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

It didn't look that appetising, but it was great to bake with.

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

I thought i would be able to tell the difference between Flora Buttery and real butter, but I couldn't at all, certainly not in baking. To look at though, yes.

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

We've been using it ever since.

• 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, on the basis it's (got to be) healthier than butter. Though I would probably want to check that before I stated it as a fact!

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

Real butter and sometimes flora/clover.

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

The family ate it without complaint although I prefer real butter personaly.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

It was quite a useful product as you can spread and bake

• How did the overall taste and texture of Flora Buttery c

ompare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oil etc? We usually have butter but it was very nice compared to some other spreads we have used.

• Do you think you'll be likely to continue using Flora Buttery in the future? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes as it was great for baking.

• 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 for baking and as a spread if they were not real butter consumers.

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

cook - real butter, olive, or vegetable oil
spread - real butter and clover
bake - real butter, stork, supermarket own brand marg

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

OK for baking, I don' like using marg for cooking, and it was fine to spread, but tasted and smelt quite margarine-like which I didn't enjoy (DP tried it and went straight back to Clover)

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

fine for baking, but I didn't find the taste buttery.

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

texture was great (not grainy like some spreads are), colour was fine, it was just the taste that wasn't for me.

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

no. Prefer Clover or butter.

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

No - because of the taste (I had a flashback to my Nan's St Ivel Gold when eating it on bread)

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

Toast, sandwiches, cupcakes

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

Dc liked it, I prefer Lurpak as it doesn't melt so easily into toast.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

It was nice, but I prefer to bake with unsalted butter, I find it more consistent

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

Tastes like butter, but I prefer Lurpak spreadable

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

Was difficult to find in local supermarkets, I might buy if if i could find it and it was cheaper than Lurpak.

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

It's unlikely butter would come up in conversation, but I would recommend it if someone asked me!

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

Normally real butter as DH notices a big difference between that and low fat spreads

• How did you find swopping to Flora Buttery?

I can't notice a big difference myself, I found it pretty good. DH noticed a difference but not too much

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

I think it could be a good compromise between me and DH's needs

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

soft and easy to spread so no complaints on texture

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

Yes, may well keep buying it

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

I think so - as its a good comprimise

What did you use to cook/spread/bake with before the challenge
Lurpak

How did you find swapping to flora buttery
For baking I liked the flora buttery but didn't like the taste on toast and sandwiches

What was your overall impression flora buttery?
A great product for baking

How did the overall taste and texture of flora buttery compare to that of your usual butter/margarine/oils etc
I didn't like thr taste in sandwiches it tasted to much like margarine for me.

Do you think you'll be likely to contuine using flora buttery in thr future? Yes I've carried on buying it for baking.

If it came up in conversation would you recemenf it?
Yes I'd recommend to a friend for baking if they were after recemndations for buttering bread I'd suggestion they try it and they their own mind up as everyone has different tastes.

• What was your overall impression of Flora Buttery?

Very nice although I still have a preference for real butter

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

Nice light texture much better than other maragrines or butter substitutes

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

Yes ...in preference to any other butter substitute

• 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 a good alternative to any others I have used and if butter is not liked