Who bakes South Africa's most delicious mince pies?

Our panel of judges nibbled their way through mince pies from the five leading supermarkets in a quest to find SA's best

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

We invited 30 Sunday Times Food readers to the HTA School of Culinary Art in Randburg, Joburg, to act as judges.

They were presented with five supermarket house brands of warmed mince pies - with no branding - on separate plates.

The mince pies were judged on appearance, taste, pastry, filling and whether the taster would be convinced to buy them or not.

Auditor Stephanie Pardoe was on hand to monitor the process, from removing the packaging and numbering the samples to the preparation and judging. Pardoe collated the scores.

THE RESULTS

First place: Pick n Pay Fruit Mince Pies

Judges' comments:The pies had a crisp topping and a generous filling. They were declared nice and moist.

Price:R26.99 for six

Second place: SPAR Freshline

Judges' comments: The pastry had an ’almost’ homemade taste but was a bit on the stodgy side. Otherwise a fair mince pie.

Price: R32.99 for six

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Third place: Checkers Fruit Mince Pies

Judges' comments: The pastry and filling were said to be a bit soggy. The filling was on the stingy side.

Price: R22.99 for six

Fourth place: Food Lover's Market

Judges' comments: The pastry texture was very odd and too soft and the mince pie fell apart.

Price: R24.99 for six

Fifth place: Woolworths

Judges' comments: The pies tasted a little undercooked. On handling, the tops fell off. There was a very strong, artificial flavour of cloves, which made the filling taste bitter and numbed the mouth.

Price: R29.99 for six