Here's where to buy SA's tastiest lemon cheesecake dessert

To help you buy the best, our panel of judges put lemon cheesecakes from three leading supermarkets to the test

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

We put out a call to readers to be part of the panel of tasters. They came together on a Saturday morning at the HTA Culinary School in Randburg, Johannesburg, to taste ready-made lemon cheesecakes from three leading supermarkets.

They were presented with each of the products "naked" without any branding or packaging. The desserts were judged on five qualities - appearance, base, filling, flavour and texture

Auditor Jade Craig was on hand to monitor the objectivity of the blind-tasting process, from removing the packaging to numbering the products, overseeing the preparation and adding up the score sheets.

THE RESULTS

First place: Woolworths Lemon Swirl Cheesecake, 445g

Judges' comments:

"Well balanced, I enjoyed the lemon flavour."

"I'm not a fan of the ginger-biscuit base but there's more cream cheese and real cream than the other samples."

"It looks great, good texture and filling, has a pleasant lemon taste."

"A lovely dessert. All the elements are well balanced."

Price: R64.99

Second place: Pick n Pay Zesty Lemon Cheese Cake, 445g

Judges' comments:

"It was too thick and the lemon flavour was missing. The base was very dry and crumbly."

"Base is not compacted enough. It has more of a whipped-cream texture, without a lemon flavour."

"It looks good but tasted like old takkies."

"It is visually appealing with a nice fluffy filling."

Price: R57.90

Third place: Checkers Lemon Cheesecake, 450g

Judges' comments:

"A soggy base with strong cottage-cheese flavour and not lemony enough. Very average dessert."

"Neon-yellow topping looks artificial although it was edible with strong lemon flavour. Left almost 'chemical' aftertaste."

"A wannabe cheesecake - luminous and synthetic."

"Tastes artificial. This is not a proper cheesecake."

Price: R49.99