From Lidl to M&S and a well-known brand, diners blind-tasted the melt-in-the-middle chocolate puddings and were surprised by which one they preferred
Taste testers have revealed a shocking preference for a bargain chocolate pudding over pricier alternatives. During a recent instalment of The Taste Test restaurant series, diners were asked to try three different versions of the dessert, without being told where they’re from.
The anonymous testing method enabled each tester to provide an honest reaction based solely on flavour, texture and overall quality.
For option A, the panel sampled Lidl’s Deluxe Belgian Chocolate melt-in-the-middle Pudding, costing £2.49.
Delivering their opinions, one taster was eager to clear the dish, while another praised the “crunchy” outside, though believed it could use slightly more “ooze”.
A third participant said they “loved” the complete flavour and consistency, although they equally valued choice B – M&S’ Food Collection chocolate melt-in-the-middle pudding, at £5.
While sampling the M&S alternative, one taster called it “light and delicious”, though another believed it wasn’t “quite as sweet as A”.
Proceeding to the concluding dessert, participants were offered Gü’s interpretation of the treat, available in numerous supermarkets for approximately £3.95.
Slicing into this pudding, one food lover observed it was “more like a brownie texture”, insisting it wasn’t like the typical melt-in-the-middle approach.
Another commented: “The flavour is nice and rich in a good way, [but] you wouldn’t want to have any bigger than what was served.”
Following the blind taste test, the panel were shocked to learn that their unanimous favourite was Lidl’s budget-friendly dessert.
Revealing the outcome, Tom Read Wilson announced: “We have a very clear winner, it’s chocolate melt in the middle pudding A.
“The resounding winner in this instance is actually half the price of M&S, so you’ve also picked a bargain, bravo diners.”
In the kitchen, chef Mike Reid conducted a thorough examination of all three desserts, both in their raw state and once they’d been heated.
As a summary, he noted that the crucial element each pudding had to provide was a satisfying “oozing centre”.
“For a supermarket to achieve that, or if it’s something you’re cooking at home, it’s very hard,” he claimed.
Starting with Lidl’s offering, he continued: “It’s almost that sort of fudgy type of texture and consistency, so you can see it’s been partially cooked already.
“But when I pop it in the microwave, the middle is essentially going to loosen up and get runny, while the outside will go a little bit more cakey.”
While evaluating the M&S alternative, Mike maintained that they employ a “different type” of chocolate for the centre.
Once warmed, he was delighted with the amount of ooze and commended the creator’s “smart” choice of using a specific chocolate mixture to accomplish the result.
Finally, after warming up the Gü pudding, the chef claimed that despite it seeming moist, it sadly lost its melting quality, a key characteristic expected in a melt-in-the-middle dessert.
