Which supermarket makes the best boerewors in SA?

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

IT'S FREE AND FAIR!

Chefs-in-training make excellent tasters. They're curious about food; they have a well -developed sense of taste; and when it comes to rating a product, they pull no punches.

For this reason, we asked students from the Johannesburg Culinary and Pastry School to join us for a blind tasting of boerewors from leading supermarkets.

All products for the tasting were purchased, stripped of their packaging and numbered by the Sunday Times team in the school's kitchen. A chef lecturer, an expert braaier, was in charge of braaiing the boerewors on a gas braai to ensure that each brand of boerewors was cooked to perfection. Auditor Jade Craig monitored the process and added up the scores.

THE RESULTS

FIRST PLACE: CHECKERS

Championship Boerewors 2018

Price: R79.99 per kg. (on special until October 15)

What the judges said:

• Kganya: What can I say except brilliant.
• Mpumelelo: When they talk about a proper boerewors, this is what they are talking about. It’s rich in flavour and very delicious.
• Kabelo: Good taste and good appearance. Shiny. Good spicing.
• Tsholefelo: Perfecto!!!

SECOND PLACE: WOOLWORTHS

Grabouw Boerewors

Price: R94.99 per kg

What the judges said:

• Yolanda: Bit salty but perfect for a chilli chakalaka.
• Busisa: Salty, juicy. The skin is 100%.
• Rose: Flavourful, I love that it’s fairly lean.
• Mangaliso: Tasty and juicy, the spices are well blended, just be careful with the salt.

THIRD PLACE: PICK N PAY

Grabouw Boerewors

Price: R89.99 per kg

What the judges said:

• Mpumelelo: It’s compact and chewy. I couldn’t taste the coriander or vinegar.
• Sharon: It’s tasteless and there’s an artificial taste. I wouldn’t buy it.
• Kabelo: Dry, not enough fat nor enough taste. Bit salty.
• Tsholefelo: It lacks fat,too dry. There’s no balance of flavour.

FOURTH PLACE: SPAR

Select Boerewors

Price: R78.99 per kg (on special at time of purchase)

What the judges said:

• Yolanda: I don’t really like it. The taste is not appealing on the palate.
• Busisa: Don’t like it and wouldn’t buy it.
• Gugulethu: It’s edible but dry. Nothing fancy.
• Rose: Smells nice, just dry and salty.