Which supermarket's snoek is the best buy for your next braai?

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

It's free and fair!

We eat with our eyes, we all know that, but add branding and packaging and one's opinion of a product is often swayed before they've even tasted it. So to ensure our tastings are free and fair, all packaging is removed before products are presented to our panel of judges.

The products are also numbered and, if required, prepared exactly to package instructions.

In this case, only one product - the snoek from Spar - came with a sachet of apricot marinade to brush over the fish. We made up a mixture of apricot jam, butter and lemon juice to brush over the remaining fish. Food expert Jenny Kay was on hand in the kitchen to ensure fairness while this all happened.

Our judges are then asked to rate each product on a score-sheet according to appearance, aroma, taste — and whether they would buy it or not.

Auditor Jade Craig oversees the whole process, collates all the scores and draws up a report. 

THE RESULTS

FIRST PLACE: SPAR

Braai snoek with sachet of apricot marinade

Price: 1.1kg for R89.99

What the judges said:

• Anna: Smells like the sea, onions and tomato sauce. Like the taste.
• Ewan: Nice and soft moist piece of snoek.
• Marina: I found it a bit over-marinated and sweet.
• Candice: Strong flavours (from marinade) and not much of a natural flavour.

SECOND PLACE: CHECKERS

Fresh snoek

Price: R49.90 per kg

What the judges said:

• Linda: Smell, looks and tastes good though slightly dry.
• Chantel: Good smell and colour, not too salty and cooked well.
• Hofney: Texture and taste was very nice. Liked the marinade.
• Kabelo: I couldn't pick up on any smokey flavour in the fish.

THIRD PLACE: PICK N PAY

Braai Snoek

Price: 800g for R69.99

What the judges said:

• Siyabulela: Tastes good, it was moist but didn't look so great.
• Sergio: Salty with delicate flavours.
• Hofney: Good value for money. Very nice mouthwatering snoek.
• Ewan: No big aroma, more of a natural flavour and a little dry.

FOURTH PLACE: WOOLWORTHS

Lightly Smoked Whole Snoek

Price: R119.99 per kg

What the judges said:

• Candice: Good appearance and aroma. Light and natural flavour, slightly dry.
• Chantel: Pale in colour, natural flavour. Firm texture.
• Brandon: Quite like the smokey taste but was tougher in texture.
• Craig: Doesn't have me wanting more, needs more flavouring.

FIFTH PLACE: FOOD LOVER'S MARKET

Braai Snoek

Price: 1kg for R50

What the judges said:

• Anna: Pleasant mild flavour but salty.
• Candice: Dry texture, not as flavourful as other samples.
• Kabelo: Snoek is too dry and lacks flavour.
• Hofney: It is ok though it needed more spice or marinade.