Taste test: we rate fruit salad & yogurt from major supermarkets

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

IT'S FREE AND FAIR!

We know that taste is a subjective thing and what’s good for one may not be for someone else. But it is interesting that, when a group of tasters come together, the results are usually consistent — there’s always a favourite and least-favoured item.

For this taste test, we invited a group of mothers to attend a blind-tasting in Johannesburg. On the menu? Fruit salad and double cream plain yogurt from a selection of top supermarkets.

To ensure the taste test was free and fair, food expert Jenny Kaye was in the kitchen to supervise as products were removed from their packaging, numbered and, where necessary, cooked or reheated according to package instructions.

Auditor Jade Craig oversaw the entire process: she checked the products in the kitchen, sat in on the tasting, and collated the scores. 

THE RESULTS

FRUIT SALAD

FIRST PLACE: PICK N PAY

Tropical Fruit & Berry Mix

Price: 550g for R46.99

What our judges said:

• Helma: Looks inviting with big pieces of fruit.
• Alex: Fresh and crisp. Could have more green fruit.
• Simone: The freshest fruit salad, not soggy. Lots of pineapple.

SECOND PLACE: WOOLWORTHS

Papaya & Berry

Price: 840g for R69.99

What our judges said:

• Alex: Looks dry but had nice mix of colour of fruit.
• Simone: Great taste and colour but some of the fruit, particularly papaya, appears less fresh.
• Misha: Lots of pineapple, more than other fruits.

THIRD PLACE: CHECKERS

Berry & Melon Fruit Salad

Price: 600g for R49.99

What our judges said:

• Misha: Looks dry and fruit soggy. Needs an equal mix of fruit.
• Megan: Bland colour and too much melon. Slightly bitter.
• Maureen: Liked the berries.

FOURTH PLACE: SPAR

Fruit Salad

Price: R99.99 per kg

What our judges said:

• Lorraine: Not bright looking, apple is brown.
• Sue: Bland fruit, not fresh looking and fruit underripe.
• Misha: Pear is bit powdery tasting and fruit is too sour.

FIFTH PLACE: FOOD LOVER'S MARKET

Medium Fruit Salad

Price: R24.99

What our judges said:

• Sue: Mushy, unappetising and some of fruit fermented.
• Simone: Looks like it has been standing around too long.
• Misha: Appearance not great, soggy and sour.

DOUBLE CREAM PLAIN YOGURT

FIRST PLACE: WOOLWORTHS

Double Cream Plain Yogurt

Price: 1kg for R39.99

What our judges said:

• Helma: The most creamy and delicious of all samples tasted.
• Megan: Very good taste, texture and creaminess.I love it.
• Simone: Deliciously creamy with a good balance of sweetness. It can be served on its own, it's that good.

SECOND PLACE: SPAR

Double Cream Plain Yogurt

Price: 1kg for R25.99

What our judges said:

• Simone: Nice thickness and creamy. Texture not completely smooth.
• Sue: Average taste but creamy.
• Stacy: Looks thick. Palatable.

THIRD PLACE: PICK N PAY

Full Cream Plain Yogurt

Price: 1 litre for R26.99

What our judges said:

• Joy: Very creamy, very sour! Needs fruit and muesli to tone down sourness.
• Misha: A little on the watery side but creamy and thick.
• Megan: Very creamy but lacks taste, almost bland.

FOURTH PLACE: CHECKERS

Banting Revolution Double Cream Plain Yogurt

Price: 1kg for R31.99

What our judges said:

• Caren: Looks better than it tastes.
• Alex: Tastes sour.
• Misha: For a plain double cream yogurt, it's sour to the taste.