Which supermarket chicken biryani is worth its spice?

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

IT'S FREE AND FAIR!

We gathered a group of wine experts together and asked them to put curries from different supermarkets to the taste test.

All the curries came in trays with rice. The curries were compared in a blind tasting where each curry was judged on aroma, appearance/presentation, taste, authenticity, ratio of protein to rice and whether the taster would purchase it.

We asked the chefs of HTA Cooking Academy in Randburg, Joburg, to assist and under strict scrutiny they removed all the packaging, numbered the curries and heated them exactly according to the packaging instructions before serving them to the tasting panel

PICK N PAY

Dish: Chicken Biryani

Price: R59.99 for 350g 

What the judges said:

• Clive: Great presentation with all the components well prepared and distinguishable.
• Callan: Chicken tender, potatoes soft. Caramelised onions and spice contribute to the flavour.
• Francis: I enjoyed the different textures in the dish and like the flavour.

WOOLWORTHS

Dish: Chicken Biryani

Price: R62.99 for 350g 

What the judges said:

• Cornell: Lovely aroma, nice balance of coriander but lacked spice.
• Lloyd: Appearance and presentation quite appealing coupled with classic aromas although a bit of an anti-climax.
• Tshepang: Potato aroma is prominent, overall spiciness and sweetness of onion improves the flavour.
• Melissa: Bland pale rice, lacking in "biryani-ness", more like a mild rice and chicken.

CHECKERS SPICE

Dish: Chicken Biryani

Price: R44.99 for 350g 

What the judges said:

• Shannon: Zero aroma, microwaved potatoes not good. At least there was chicken.
• Mario: Appearance OK, flavour bland. Rice OK. Not my favourite.
• Eric: Dish is very ordinary and flavourless.
• Clive: Unimpressive, sour taste to what is traditionally a flavoursome dish.