The taste of tradition: Experts rate hot cross buns from five SA supermarkets

We asked a panel of experts to put big retailers' hot cross buns to the taste test and share the results

10 April 2022 - 00:02

By Hilary Biller

Image: Christoph Hoffman Meet the tasters, from left, Geoff Penny, Angus Ewing, Liziwe Matloha, Sinda Yona and Colin Hardy.

Fruity and spicy hot cross buns are the sweet offerings and symbolic food of the Christian celebration of Easter, traditionally studded with raisins and lemon peel, containing a heady mix of spices and with a cross on the top. A new contender in the hot cross bun market, a chocolate version, is fast gaining in popularity.

DEFINITION OF A HOT CROSS BUN

A hot cross bun is a shiny golden brown bun with a prominent white cross on top. A slightly sweet, soft-eating bun fragrant with a blend of spices and filled with a mixture of sultanas, raisins, currants and candied lemon peel.

MEET THE PANEL

Angus Ewing: Owner of the artisanal bakery Hadeda at Little Falls, Gauteng, which specialises in naturally leavened sourdough bread.

Colin Hardy: Master baker and past chair of the board of the South African Chamber of Baking (SACB).

Geoff Penny: Recently retired chair of the board of the SACB.

Liziwe Matloha: Chef, cookery teacher and author of the recently published Dinner at Matloha’s.

Sindi Yona: aspiring cook and assistant to Liziwe Matola.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Traditional hot cross buns.

TRADITIONAL HOT CROSS BUNS

The buns were served to the panel straight from the packet, at room temperature, without any packaging to identify from which store they came.

They were rated according to aroma, appearance, flavour and the quantity and variety of fruit.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Woolies hot cross buns.

FIRST PLACE

Woolworths Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Price: R31.99 for six

What the experts said:

Angus: A wonderful balance of spice and sweetness. Full of fruit.
Colin: Good appearance with good shine on the bun. Enjoyed the citrus flavour.
Geoff: Nice glaze with good texture, moisture and fruit content.
Liziwe: Delicious, enjoy the slightly chewy texture with sufficient fruit. Good aroma of spices.
Sindi: A perfect, well-balanced bun. Inviting aroma and appearance. Delicious.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Pick n Pay hot cross buns.

SECOND PLACE

Pick n Pay Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Price: R16.99 for six

What the experts said:

Angus: No spring in the bun, with a hint of flavour.
Colin: Good appearance, good citrus taste though slightly doughy.
Geoff: A balanced bun, palatable. Could be better glazed.
Liziwe: Quite thick cross, texture was a bit dense and stodgy.
Sindi: One needs tea to enjoy these buns as they are on the dry side.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Spar hot cross buns.

THIRD PLACE

SPAR Freshline Hot Cross Buns

Price: R24.99 for six

What the experts said:

Angus: A burst of spice on the first bite but not as fluffy as expected.
Colin: No shine, slight bitter taste and strong clove taste.
Geoff: A fair bun.
Liziwe: Missing the candied peel. A bit tougher and appearance can be better.
Sindi: Bun is quite chewy.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Food Lover's hot cross buns.

FOURTH PLACE

Food Lover's Market Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Price: R19.99 for six

What the experts said:

Angus: Fluffy texture but underwhelming taste.
Colin: Slightly dry, very little fruit and no shine on top.
Geoff: Rather dry and no shine/glaze on top
Liziwe: Not enough fruit, really fluffy with beautiful air pockets
Sindi: Aroma lacking. Bun fluffy but could do with a bit of work.

Image: Christoph Hoffmann Checkers hot cross buns.

FIFTH PLACE

Checkers Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Price: R19.99 for six

What the experts said:

Angus: Soggy bottom most unpleasant. Underbaked and flavourless.
Colin: Good appearance. Bottom of bun soggy, little fruit and poor spice flavour.
Geoff: Doughy, almost underbaked. Nice volume.
Liziwe: Extra glaze, which made it sticky. Beautiful colour but undercooked and lacking in flavour.
Sindi: Bun is soggy and sweet with too much glaze.

Image: Christoph Hoffman Chocolate hot cross buns.

CHOCOLATE HOT CROSS BUNS

All five supermarkets offer a non-traditional chocolate version of hot cross buns featuring chocolate, which replaces the fruit and spices. As per the traditional variety the chocolate buns were served to the panel at room temperature without any packaging to identify which store they came from.

They were rated according to aroma, appearance, flavour and the chocolate. The rating between the chocolate buns was very close.

Image: Christoph Hoffman Pick n Pay choc flavoured hot cross buns.