Taste & Tell
Which supermarket's oven chips came tops in our taste test?
Our taste testers have spoken: here's which retailer's own-brand oven chips are a must for your freezer
Image: 123RF/magone
HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST
IT'S FREE AND FAIR!
The Taste & Tell series is a monthly feature where the same or similar supermarket items are put to a taste test by a panel. (This one was made up of teachers from Bryanston High School.)
We work with chefs who assist with any preparation that's necessary; reheating and cooking is done strictly to package instructions. (All of the chips in this tasting were baked in the oven on a baking tray and served lightly sprinkled with salt.)
Items are categorised, numbered and stripped of all their packaging before being served. A food expert in the kitchen oversees the entire process.
The tasters undertake a blind tasting and the food is judged on a score sheet and is rated according to appearance, taste, quality of ingredients and whether the taster would consider buying the product. Each category is judged out of 10 points: 10 is excellent, 5 average and 1 extremely poor.
An auditor checks each score sheet and collates the results.
THE RESULTS
FIRST PLACE: WOOLWORTHS
Steak House Chips
Price: 1kg for R51.99
What the judges said:
- Dean: Crisp, light, seasoned. Best ever.
- Phuti: Lovely and chunky just like steakhouse chips.
- Stefan: Very good chips, good body to them yet crispy and soft inside.
SECOND PLACE: CHECKERS
Housebrand Potato Chips
Price: 1kg for R29.99
What the judges said:
- Sam: Balanced flavour but a bit small.
- Wian: A good chip to dip in a sauce.
- Brad: Light and crisp, they remind me of Steers chips.
THIRD PLACE: PICK N PAY
Straight Cut Oven Potato Chips
Price: 1kg for R31.99
What the judges said:
- Stefan: Too bland, bit tasteless and hard on outside.
- Adam: Good size, lacking in flavour.
- Sam: Looks can be deceiving.
FOURTH PLACE: SPAR
Potato Chips Straight Cut
Price: 1kg for R29.99
What the judges said:
- Phuti: Very dry chips, they lack flavour. Pale and pasty.
- Stefan: Not enough body to these chips.
- Adam: Crunchy chips to the bite but bland and grainy centre.