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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
I tried toilet paper from Aldi, Tesco, M&S & more - 1 was softer than Andrex
Retailing at 50p per toilet roll, this M&S one was super soft and nice to the touch (Image: Angela Patrone) The humble loo roll can often spark debate, with some preferring softness while others value thickness. However, prices have soared in recent years, especially for market leaders like Andrex. Supermarkets nationwide, from Aldi to Sainsbury's, have now introduced their own brands to compete with these industry titans. Quilted, super soft, luxury, budget-friendly, and even aloe vera-infused - there's something to cater to everyone's taste. With such a wide variety of choices, picking the perfect one can be quite a conundrum. To save you the trouble, we've tested everyday toilet papers from all major supermarkets to determine which provide the best quality and value for money. To ensure a fair comparison, I bought a four-pack of standard toilet rolls from each supermarket, folded two sheets from each roll together and squirted them each with an equal amount of water. I also evaluated how easily they ripped under pressure, reports the Express. Aldi's (on left) toilet roll has an almost identical wave pattern to Andrex (on right) (Image: Angela Patrone) Andrex has been the brand I've always reached for as it does the job pretty efficiently, but given that it costs £2.95 for four rolls, I don't think the price justifies it. This toilet paper features a unique 3D wave texture, which boosts its resistance to tearing. However, the thickness is somewhat lacking; it's soft, but at two-ply, it doesn't quite measure up to other brands. Rating: 7/10 The budget-friendly supermarket Aldi presents its own range of toilet rolls, from soft to premium softness. Unfortunately, only the "luxury" softer range was available for review. Echoing Andrex's wave pattern, this £1.39 roll doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of quality, struggling with water absorption and tearing more readily. Nevertheless, its low price makes it an attractive option. Rating: 6/10 Retailing for the same price as Aldi's toilet roll, Lidl's Floralys ended up being worse. While the paper is tough and thick, it is also rough and scratchy. Contrary to its "luxury soft" claim, Lidl's product fails to impress in the comfort department. Rating: 4/10 Asda's toilet roll was of better quality than Lidl's (Image: Angela Patrone) The Tesco toilet paper was quite resistant and didn't split when wet (Image: Angela Patrone) At £1.38, Asda's toilet paper represents good value for money, feeling robust without succumbing to tears. It's gentle to the touch and performs well in water absorption tests. A solid pick for those looking to trim their grocery expenses. Rating: 8/10 The Tesco toilet paper was quite resistant and didn't split when wet. I found that it had similar absorbency to Andrex, although the softness was lacking. Costing the same as Aldi and Lidl, this was better than both of them, so this a a great value option to go for. Rating: 6.5/10 Standing out for its commitment to the environment, it was the only brand presented in paper packaging, earning it praise as the top eco-friendly choice. Sainsbury's £1.90 version felt soft and thicker than Andrex, although not quite as smooth. It had average performance in the water test, with the paper splitting under a small amount of pressure when wet. Rating: 8/10 Sainsbury's £1.90 version felt soft and thicker than Andrex (Image: Angela Patrone) The Waitrose toilet paper was pretty absorbent, but I would have expected better from a £2 pack (Image: Angela Patrone) Morrisons' toilet paper felt very smooth and soft. Unfortunately, it didn't do well in the water tests as it fell apart easily when it was wet. For the price of £1.75, I wouldn't say they're worth the spend. Rating: 6/10 This toilet paper was soft and nicely detailed, but the two-ply sheets were small and tore very easily. Despite showing good absorbency, one might expect a bit more luxury from a £2 packet at this upmarket retailer. Rating: 7.5/10 Faced with a selection of loo rolls, I came across Spring Meadow with its "delicate" floral pattern and Shining Stars featuring celestial motifs. Opting for the super soft type, it boasted triple-ply sheets. At 50p per roll, this option stood out for its exceptional softness and strength, attributed to its three layers. Environmentally aware shoppers will be pleased to know it includes at least 15% recycled material, blending indulgence with eco-friendliness. Rating: 9/10 Retailing at 50p per toilet roll, this M&S one was super soft and nice to the touch (Image: Angela Patrone) Following this experiment, I can confidently declare that I've switched loyalties from Andrex to M&S's toilet paper. It's not just softer than Andrex, but also boasts a thicker texture. While £2 may seem a bit much for toilet tissue, opting for Waitrose won't compromise on quality compared to Andrex. For those watching their budget, Asda's £1.38 offering is my recommendation.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'My baked beans never tasted better since adding 1 simple ingredient - and it's a total game-changer'
Baked beans, a British kitchen staple, have become the centre of a lively Reddit debate on whether seasoning enhances this classic meal. One Reddit user raised the question, "Do most British people season their baked beans?". This prompted over 3,000 comments as Brits shared their tips for sprucing up beans. The individual who started the conversation added: "According to my boyfriend, you're only supposed to take them out of the tin into a bowl and microwave them, or to put them in a pot on the stove for like three minutes. The only allowed flavour is the tomato sauce they come with." READ MORE: Add these two ingredients to make 'best ever' scrambled eggs READ MORE: I tried seven different types of salted butter - the best one was so indulgent It turns out that smoked paprika emerged as a fan favourite for elevating beans to new culinary heights. A bean enthusiast on Reddit penned: "Try a bit of smoked paprika on baked beans. You're welcome." Another chimed in: "Smoked paprika adds some smokiness that you would normally get with bacon," as noted by the Express. Another also heralded the praises of smoked paprika: "Smoked paprika is a game-changer. It goes well with the flavours of baked beans." Intrigued by these suggestions, Senior Lifestyle reporter Angela Patrone decided it was time to test the popular advice and break out the smoked paprika from her kitchen cupboard. Angela shared her culinary experiment by stating: "Smoked paprika is one of those seasonings I love to add to my chicken or when I'm making homemade chips, but I never thought to add it to baked beans." She detailed her process: "I started by adding the spice to the beans in a bowl. While it wasn't mentioned how much smoked paprika to use, I opted for one teaspoon." Angela explained her time-saving method: "I usually heat my baked beans in a saucepan, however, I was short on time this day, so I used the microwave instead. I left the beans in the microwave for one minute before stirring them and putting them in for another minute." Upon tasting the modification, Angela enthused: "Opening the microwave after the second minute was up, I could smell the delicious smoky scent. I served the beans on a slice of toasted sourdough bread." She concluded with approval: "The seasoning offered a fantastic depth of flavour to the semi-sweet baked beans. I would say a teaspoon is just the right amount, as any more would probably overpower the baked beans."
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
'I tested chocolate from every supermarket and this £1 bar is better than Cadbury'
For the past few days, many of us will have indulged in quite a bit of chocolate. However, like many things in life, Easter eggs can get a bit pricey these days. For those who still want to indulge their sweet tooth without the expense, then a simple bar of chocolate poses a suitable alternative - and pretty much everyone knows that Cadbury remains one of the most beloved brands. That being said, many supermarket own brands can sometimes pose a more affordable, and often better tasting, option. Which is exactly why one reporter decided to try them all out to find if this was the case. Senior Lifestyle Reporter Angela Patrone from the Express recently pit the iconic chocolate brand against high-end and bargain supermarket options, with bars bought from the likes of Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Waitrose and more. Finding one budget bar that reminded her of the beloved Magic Stars from her childhood, the reporter detailed her thought on each confection, which we have provided in her full words just below. Morrisons Retailing for 80p, this tasted like your standard run-of-the-mill chocolate bar, slightly sweet and creamy, but nothing special. The smooth texture was delightful, but sadly, the chocolate didn't build on that with no memorable taste notes or even an aftertaste. Rating: 5/10 Sainsbury's This chocolate bar was much nicer than Morrisons' and melted in the mouth much more easily. The 75p bar also had a lovely taste, which was not too artificial like some chocolates can be. Rating: 6/10 Tesco This 55p chocolate bar from Tesco reminds me of cooking chocolate, and not in a good way. The chocolate from Tesco tasted like it was trying to imitate a mix of Galaxy and Dairy Milk, but very poorly. It has a chemical undertaste and melts quickly into a thin layer of chocolate rather than oozy goodness. Rating: 3/10 Aldi Aldi is known for its affordable items that won't put a hole in your wallet. Aldi has its Everyday Essentials range, which is supposedly cheaper than its other manufactured brands. Costing 59p for a 100g bar, the taste was very disappointing. It was rather salty and had a strange aftertaste to it. I felt it didn't really taste like chocolate, but as if it were some overly sweetened candy. Rating: 3/10 Lidl After tasting the Aldi chocolate bar, I didn't have much hope for this one, but it impressed me massively. Lidl is known for its cheap products, so it was the first place on my mind when I thought about an affordable chocolate bar. Slightly more than Aldi, the bar cost me £1.09, weighing 100g. In terms of taste and quality, it really took me by surprise. It was sweet, smooth, and the chocolate melted in my mouth. It brought me back to my childhood as it reminded me so much of Magic Stars. I would say it was better than Cadbury in terms of taste and value. Rating: 9/10 Asda For me, the Asda chocolate bar is on par with Tesco and Aldi, just ever so slightly better. Coming in at 59p per 100g, the chocolate bar was sweet, but it didn't melt in the mouth like a typical chocolate bar would. Rating: 3.5/10 Waitrose Costing £2.75, this was one of the most expensive chocolate bars in this taste test, but also ended up being the worst one. While I can appreciate the thick and smooth texture it had, it tasted very strong, and not in a good way. Rating: 2/10 M&S M&S was the last of the supermarket brands, and I had high expectations for this one. M&S have a range of delicious chocolate sweet treats all year round that receive glowing reviews, however, their cheapest milk chocolate is not something I'd repurchase. Retailing at £2.75 like the Waitrose chocolate bar, it lacked that sweetness and creaminess you'd expect from a milk chocolate bar. Rating 4/10 Cadbury Last up we have Cadbury. Straight away you are hit with a waft of chocolate to the nostrils when you open up the bar. Milk chocolate often contains a fatty coating in the harder centre, which Cadbury often perfects, but how would the iconic brand fare this time around? Very well is the answer; however, for me, it was a little too sweet. Rating: 8/10 Verdict Out of all the chocolate bars, Lidl came up as the top contender. Whilst the Cadbury bar was enjoyable, the Lidl chocolate bar just had the edge.
