Which supermarket's streaky bacon should be the star of your breakfast?

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 of supermarket products in Johannesburg.

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

FIRST PLACE: FOOD LOVER'S MARKET

Streaky Bacon

Price: R39.99 for 250g

What our judges said:

• Chrizelle: Nice flavour, good thickness and good balance of fat.
• Carla: Meaty, slightly salty and smoky tasting.
• Mahlako: Tasty with good fat content like bacon should be.

SECOND PLACE: WOOLWORTHS

Streaky Bacon

Price: R44.99 for 250g

What our judges said:

• Jenny: Slices a bit skinny but nice fat ratio and good flavour.
• Chrizelle: Too fatty for my taste.
• Carla: Good, meaty with smoky flavour.

THIRD PLACE: PICK N PAY

Streaky Bacon

Price: R33.99 for 250g

What our judges said:

• Chrizelle: Thin, dry and lacks flavour and smokiness
• Carla: Good appearance but lacks smoke and bland pork flavour.
• Susan: Cut seems strange - against the grain?

FOURTH PLACE: SPAR

Streaky Bacon

Price: R31.99 for 200g

What our judges said:

• Jenny: Slices too thin and very salty.
• Carla: Good smoky notes. Not too fatty but slices too thin.
• Mahlako: Slices too thin, flavour fair. Needs more fat.

FIFTH PLACE: CHECKERS

Streaky Bacon

Price: R26.99 for 200g

What our judges said:

• Jenny: Rashers not consistent, bit bitty.
• Chrizelle: Lacks salt and pieces not neat.
• Carla: Lacks smoke, bland pork flavour.