Buy the best: We ranked Christmas mince pies from major supermarkets

HOW WE CONDUCTED OUR TASTE TEST

It's free and fair!

For our annual search for the best mince pie from five of the big retailers, we invited seven expert foodies to join us for a blind tasting.

The judging panel included:

• Sunday Times Food editor Hilary Biller;
• Chef/food consultant Yvonne Short of Confit Catering;
• Chef Catherine Adonis of The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa;
• Chef Daniella Postman of Moema’s Catering;
• Pastry chefs Melissa Doubell and Henna Chhotubhai of Just Teddy Pâtisserie; and
• Chef/food consultant Mahlako Sekgobela.

THE RESULTS

FIRST PLACE

Woolworths Fruit Mince Pies

What the packaging said: Delicious buttery shortcrust pastry filled with Woolworths exclusive spiced fruit mincemeat, packed with juicy, locally sourced vine fruits and dusted with sugar.

Price: R36.65 for six

What the judges said:

• Yvonne: Perfect, neat-looking pie.
• Danielle: Very neat, pretty and golden. A bit too much pastry to filling. Nicely spiced with nice aftertaste in my mouth.
• Catherine: Beautifully golden and pretty, the best-looking pie of all tasted. Spicy filling but could be more generous.

SECOND PLACE

Checkers Festive Fruit Mince Pies

What the packaging said: Traditional fruit mince filling baked in crispy sweet pastry.

Price: R36.99 for six.

What the judges said:

• Henna: Good flavour of filling, juicy and nice pastry.
• Melissa: Love the filling, thickness of the pastry. It could do with more spice.
• Mahlako: The base could have done with a few more minutes in the oven. Filling was good.

THIRD PLACE

Food Lover's Market Traditional Fruit Mince Pies

What the packaging said: N/A

Price: R39.99 for six

What the judges said:

• Danielle: Pretty, and I like the sugar crust, caramelly taste to filling.
• Catherine: Quite tasty, took a second bite.
• Yvonne: Juicy, less sweet than the others. Pastry crisp.

FOURTH PLACE

Pick n Pay Deep Filled Mince Pies

What the packaging said: Made with lightly spiced fruit mince and a shortcrust pastry.

Price: R42.99 for six

What the judges said:

• Mahlako: Pastry had beautiful colour, filling was dry and not enough. Very cakey.
• Catherine: Good golden brown colour, pastry soggy, cake-like texture.
• Melissa: Soggy and soft pastry with an aftertaste. Drier filling.

FIFTH PLACE

SPAR Freshline Fruit Mince Pies

What the packaging said: Rich fruit mince filling full of aromatic spices and covered in a delectable crust.

Price: R42.99 for six

What the judges said:

• Henna: Pastry slightly too thick. Filling is gooey and has strange texture.
• Yvonne: Though there's a good amount of fruit, it's gooey and jammy.
• Mahlako: Filling was jam-like, pastry very thick.