These crisps look great, but after you've salted your crisps what do you do next? While I’m not a big meat eater, my family does enjoy meat meals from time to … Aldi's pizza rolls passed the real test with flying colors: They burned my mouth just as well as the name brand. But since Aldi doesn't deal with name brands on a massive scale, there's not a lot about the supply chain that's out of their control. The Live Gfree bagel was loaded with raisins and cinnamon flavor. They all rated 81%, but the house brands cost less than half of the premium brand. Aldi wants just $1.65 for an 8.5-ounce bag of its cheesy snack, while Kroger wants $2.99. Corale Premium Baked Beans from Aldi. Aldi Products That Taste Like Name Brands — and Some That Definitely Don't. Did you know that Name brands cost 20-50% less than their name brand counterpart? I did the math, too—you would save more than $10 if you bought the eight Aldi products here. While MorningStar's patty was pleasantly crispy, even after microwaving, with a surprisingly meaty flavor, Aldi's was confoundingly chewy and just … off. One of the first things newbies notice on their first trip to Aldi is how familiar some of its items appear. Store-brand vs. Name-brand taste-off Our tests pit private-label products against big-name rivals. Get To Know Our High Quality, Low Price Products. Aldi vs National Brand Taste Test Part 2 - Duration: 33:44. Both are delicious! 3. One of the things we looked at was cereal. Here’s a list of Aldi Private Label brands throughout the store. not. They Beat the “National Brands” “We test our products to meet or beat the national brands’ quality,” says Kate Kirkpatrick, an Aldi spokesperson (and expert). A 38-ounce bottle of Aldi's Burman's brand ran us $1.35, or about 4 cents an ounce, while buying the same size bottle of Heinz at Kroger cost us $3.13, or about 8 cents an ounce. Would we buy again? Sales tax was not factored into this example.) While Aldi stores have been in the area for some time now and I've been in a store a time or two, I just never took to the marketing with no name brands and the Aldi shopping experience. Would I buy them again? Though I detected a little bit less crunch and salt while eating the Clancy's corn chips, the flavor profile was a very close match with Fritos. That big red bottle doesn't have to come with a big price tag, especially during grilling season. Would we buy again? ), A: Cliff Builder’s Protein Bar ($7.50) B: Elevation by Millville Protein Bar ($5.99). Would I buy them again? Here are the 5 items you should definitely be buying at Aldi. That's 91 cents a patty at Aldi, and just under $1 at Kroger. - Duration: 19:11. That breaks down to 22 cents a can for Aldi's soda, and a whopping 46 cents a can for the name brand. I'm an unabashed Diet Coke devotee, so no. Appearance, taste, smell — nothing betrayed any difference between Aldi's apple juice and the familiar bottle of Mott's. Not so much. But the similarities stop there. That works out to 11 cents an ounce for Aldi's chips, and 29 cents an ounce for Fritos. Yes — I actually preferred Aldi's waffles, and you can't beat the price. 0. In a blind taste test of 11 brands (it was a hard day in the office! Interestingly, Aldi's Millville Toaster Tarts were a bit sweeter, with what seemed to be more cinnamon-sugar filling. Moreover, the list of ingredients is also identical (their order is the only difference). Definitely, especially with the savings. Ever wonder if the Aldi Grocery foods are better? They also can't be happy about how much cheaper it is: Aldi's juice was $1.25 versus $2.64 for the same size bottle of Mott's Apple Juice at Kroger. I’ve never had a kale burger before and couldn’t tell the different between the two at all. Every wonder if the Aldi Grocery foods are better? Definitely, especially knowing how fast my kids inhale cereal. The Udi’s bagel only had one raisin, and c’mon, that’s so not enough. That works out to just under 14 cents a pastry at Aldi, and 25 cents each for the name brand. I could tell a difference just by smelling — Aldi's Diet Summit had a much more distinctive cola smell that Diet Coke lacked. I usually prefer a darker syrup, though, so I picked the Maple Grove Farms option here. These indulgent, creamy snack cakes are a longtime snack-aisle staple, and there's no doubt that Little Debbie is the name to beat. That's 10 cents a slice at Aldi, and a whopping 24 cents a slice for the name brand at Kroger. My kids and I actually did a side-by-side comparison, testing Aldi’s, Nutella, and a third brand, and we all concluded that the ALDI brand was the best. Unlike TJ's, Aldi does carry some name brand items, but they're buried in a sea of other brands you've very likely never heard of, including a whole line of snacks called Clancy's. Toucan Sam and Kellogg's Froot Loops have been cereal-aisle staples for as long as we can remember. They look almost identical, but Aldi Clancy's Cheese Curls were slightly more bready and less cheesy than name-brand Cheetos. It was outrageous how good the Sundae Shoppe ice cream was! 27 / 27 Cheapism Milk … So be careful, but like it’s good stuff. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Test Kitchen at Aldi’s HQ in Batavia, Illinois. According to the Harvard Business School, Aldi's reliance on private label brands gives them more control over the supply chain and allows them to use a business plan called the "just-in-time" inventory model. I recently visited two stores — Publix (a southeastern grocery store chain) and Walmart — to do a little price comparison. We partner with some of the best suppliers in the country to offer you fantastic savings on these exceedingly high quality products. Aldi Brand Burman's Tomato Ketchup. A Costco membership offers low warehouse prices on thousands of high-end, brand-name products and services.. Aldi’s brands will copy popular name brands as closely as possible, in both packaging and in the product itself. Mott's can't be happy about how similar Aldi's Nature's Nectar Apple Juice parrots its product. Would we buy again? Lara is a writer, editor and gardener who loves to cook almost as much as she loves to eat. These crackers look quite similar, but that's where the positives end for Aldi's brand. They aren't Cheetos, but Aldi probably wouldn't mind if you blindly grabbed their orange bag of Clancy's Cheese Curls thinking they are. But as with all things Aldi, the price is the real difference: $1.75 for 13.7 ounces of its Savoritz Original crackers versus $2.68 for the same size box of Ritz at Kroger. Here’s a list of Aldi Private Label brands throughout the store. Why do people buy name-brand ketchup, again? In a huge win for house brands, Woolworths and Aldi scored highest overall in a three-way tie with Connoisseur. The Aldi version tastes identical. Would I buy it again? So we very much prefer ALDI’s “Nutella” over the “real” Nutella. Is the discount worth it? But I couldn’t—both had the same pleasant cranberry-cherry aroma and flavor. I mean it, so similar. Facebook. Aldi has expanded its healthier selections in recent years, and one such product is its Earth Grown Chickenless Patties. Big brands may well have been put off by Frito-Lay's bruising experience because it was almost 15 years before another company took on Aldi in the Federal Court. Aldi's Nature's Nectar Fruit Punch. Moreover, Aldi's brand had a lighter, crispier, more pleasant texture than the Eggos, which were chewier. The Belle Vie water was crisp and refreshing with a light flavor. For my own snack stash, I'm still going to grab Cheetos, preferably on sale. Indeed, 90% of Aldi… In bulk for parties? Sure, they save you money, but what about the taste and nutrition?! Like Trader Joe’s, the vast majority of what Aldi sells are not name brands. Yes, though it really comes down to whether you are in it for the cheese (Aldi) or the sauce (Totino's). Aldi's brand cost $1.35 for 10 waffles, or about 11 cents a waffle, while a 10-count package of Eggos at Kroger was $2.49, or 25 cents a waffle. Breakfast Best Waffles from Aldi. 8. The price won't fool you, though. Would I buy it again? But did you know that many of Costco’s Kirkland Signature items are actually manufactured under a private label by name-brands just for them? A: Sundae Shoppe Low-Fat Mint Chip ($2.99) B: Halo Top Mint Chip ($4.18). In most cases, they’re cheaper and taste just as great. They cost $3.65 for four compared with $3.99 for four of MorningStar Farms Original Chick Veggie Patties at Kroger. I had to double-check after tasting to make sure I was eating both brands, not just one. I'm all for cheaper turkey sandwiches, so definitely. The price isn't similar, though: A 12-count box of Aldi's brand was $1.65, and the name brand was $2.99 at Kroger. (Note: Prices were sourced on Feb. 19, 2020 at stores located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Another perennial kid favorite, these little pouches are unfortunately pricey, making them only an occasional lunch-box treat. While most store brands imitate their name-brand rivals to some degree, Aldi has the practice down to a science. A: Dr. Praeger’s Kale Burger ($4.42) * B: Earth Grown Kale Veggie Burger ($3.59). Aldi's Swiss Rolls aren't quite as pleasing to the eye or the hands — they're not as plump and the chocolate coating flakes off easier — but they taste very similar to Little Debbies, and might even be a little sweeter. More than 90% of the products Aldi carries are Aldi brands. Of course, Aldi's siren song won't leave such a dent in your wallet. The Name Brands won out when it came to the cereal and ice cream, But it was Aldi's Mama Cozzi's brand, in a major upset, beating out Red Baron according to our testers. Just to prove it they never last very long in this house. Rumor has it that ALDI’s Millville brand is manufactured exclusively for the grocery chain by the big brand, General… Point to Aldi. In fact, I had to double-check that I didn't mistakenly test two glasses of the same juice. But on price, there's no real contest: Aldi's Baker's Treat Swiss Rolls were just $1.49 cents for 12 cakes, or 12 cents a cake, while we paid $1.99 for 12 Little Debbie Swiss Rolls at Kroger, or about 17 cents a cake. Tastes like chicken? Seattle’s Best isn’t a store-brand, but it was the least expensive coffee, even cheaper than the store brand, so I decided to test it against Starbucks coffee, the most expensive bag at my local Target. And whatever differences there were completely evaporated on a sandwich. WhatsApp. I saved the packaging of the brand name when they were empty and then refilled them. (I also got to tour a freshly redesigned Aldi.) [4] Kid's Crunch vs Cap'n Crunch (Quaker): Just so you don't think this is going to be a completely one sided review, I figured I start with this one. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission to support our work. But there's a vast difference when it comes to price: $2.65 for a dozen cans at Aldi versus $5.49 for a 12 pack of Diet Coke at Kroger. Aldi vs. Name Brand Taste Test! Aldi cereals are boxed under the name: Millville. I Taste-Tested 8 Aldi Brands vs. National Brands. A: Maple Grove Farms 100% Pure Maple Syrup ($5.98) B: SimplyNature Organic Pure Maple Syrup ($4.99). Pizza rolls are always there for us when we need a tasty snack that will burn the skin from the roof of our mouths. Do you wiggle the … Shutterstock / Roger Utting. Other than price, the biggest difference here is appearance: Aldi's Fruit Rounds aren't as brightly colored as the name brand. Whip up a batch of pancakes for Sunday breakfast. The Totino's rolls had a more prominent sauce taste, and a chewier texture. That breaks down to 19 cents an ounce for the Aldi brand, and 35 cents an ounce for the name brand. The Savoritz crackers were quicker to crumble and had a much breadier aftertaste, while the Ritz crackers were lighter, crispier, and more buttery. From our local, fresh produce to gluten-free snacks to gourmet treats, we’re here to help you get meals on the table. I have to give Aldi credit for courting vegetarians, but their Chickenless Patties were a resounding dud. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Aldi's Breakfast Best waffles look a little more raggedy around the edges than the uniform Eggos, but they taste almost exactly the same as their name-brand counterparts. Interestingly, it is the same weight as Parmesan Cheese. Would we buy again? Sure, they save you money, but what about the taste and nutrition?! A: SimplyNature 100% Juice Antioxidant Power ($3.89) B: Smart Juice Antioxidant Force ($5.30). But beyond the copycat packaging, how do its products taste compared with the brands so many of us know and love? 20, 2019. Definitely, much to my kids' delight. Comparison to name brand: {Other Sheep Cheeses} 6/10 vs. {Aldi Brand Overall} 9.5/10 *DISCLAIMER* One tester had her insides destroyed, but they may be sheep’s milk intolerante, if thats even a thing. admin - March 13, 2020. That carried over in the taste, which was more robust than smooth, mild Diet Coke. Once I rated the products for taste, I factored in the price difference to decide whether I would buy the Aldi product again. Unbeknown to my unsuspecting family, I purchased several store brand items and literally swapped them with their brand name counterpart. Yes, and my wallet will thank me for it, if not my waistline. Apple Juice. Twitter. They also can't be happy about how much ... Apple Juice Taste-Test Verdict: Dead Ringer. If you’re a Costco shopper… listen up!. That's 28 cents an ounce for the Aldi brand, and 44 cents an ounce for the name brand. Saving 11p. (In case you’re curious—this is why Aldi stuff is so cheap.). *FYI, the prices are national averages provided by Aldi. At Aldi we stock many of our own exclusive brands and test our products to meet or beat the national brands' quality. Sixteen of its Happy Farms Singles cost $1.65, while Kraft's iconic American Singles cost us $3.79. A: LaCroix Muré Pepino ($4.25) B: Belle Vie Bold Cucumber Blackberry ($2.99). If celebrities who have endorsed Pepto … Pinterest. I wholeheartedly agree with the voters: Aldi’s store-brand Brioche buns are the bomb, fresh and flaky and perfectly baked. For instance, consider the “Reggano” cheese brand. Related: Over 50 Store-Brand Foods That Deliver Quality and Savings. L'eggo my … Breakfast Best Homestyle Waffle? You could walk into an Aldi and, without paying too much attention, grab all of … That means a product like Fit & Active Yogurt, for example, has to be able to hang with the best-selling yogurts. Both had a savory–and surprisingly good—flavor. The Oscar Meyer brand was $3.99 at Kroger. Google+. These definitely looked, smelled, and tasted eerily similar. It's hard to resist the siren song of that yellow bag when you need a vessel for your favorite dip. The Cliff Builder’s bar had a chewy texture, the Millville bar was more crisp. Aldi shops, however, play by a whole different set of rules. Except, perhaps, Aldi's cheaper version. A: Cedar’s Organic Hummus ($3.99) B: SimplyNature Organic Hummus ($2.29), Both are hummus. A new discovery this one as I have always been slightly cynical of Aldi meats versus the butcher. In contrast, Kellogg's Pop-Tarts were a breadier — and I actually ended up preferring the Aldi brand. It was impossible to detect any difference in taste between the two, though Oscar Meyer's turkey did have a "meatier," rougher texture, while Aldi's turkey was smoother and more lunch-meat like. Facebook. Part Two: Weight Watcher Friendly Version! The flavor was a little bit nuttier, for one thing. Would I buy it again? That's 13 cents an ounce versus 16 cents an ounce, respectively. 38. Your grocery bill at Aldi would be roughly 30% less than at another supermarket. I suspected these would be close going in, and I was right. One slice has 6 grams of protein (one slice of Dave’s has 5), 4 grams of fiber (Dave’s has 5), and 150 milligrams of sodium (Dave’s has 180 milligrams). Huy Fong Foods Sriracha ($3.09) vs. Aldi’s Fusia Sriracha ($1.99) In another blind taste test, Taster … Store Brands vs. Name Brands. However, if you miss the taste of regular Coke and don't pucker at the sweetness every time you drink it, you might appreciate the bolder flavor of Diet Summit. The Aldi version costs 89p for 24 cakes vs £1.00 (Tesco on special offer at the mo). No contest here. Here’s why Aldi’s store brands are so dang good. It didn’t melt as quickly, the mint chip flavor was refreshing, and visually, it had the perfect color. Blessed Jess 24,180 views. Would I buy the Aldi brand again? Home Tutorials ALDI vs NAME BRAND FOOD (Blind Taste Test) Tutorials; ALDI vs NAME BRAND FOOD (Blind Taste Test) By. Absolutely. Benton's Fig Bars from Aldi. Every single ALDI product was selected to give you the highest quality at the lowest price. Already, the no-frills German supermarket chain has nearly 1,800 stores in 35 states offering super-low prices on brand-name knockoffs. In all but one test, I preferred the Aldi brand or honestly could. Mott's can't be happy about how similar Aldi's Nature's Nectar Apple Juice parrots its product. I'd be silly not to. For some of the other editors I was with, it was almost like a trip to Disney World! Would we buy again? There was also less carbonation with Aldi's brand. A shopper at Walmart would save … That's 51 cents a pouch at Aldi, and 80 cents a pouch for the name brand. newbies notice on their first trip to Aldi, Over 50 Store-Brand Foods That Deliver Quality and Savings, cereal-aisle staples for as long as we can remember. I couldn’t believe it! She will absolutely hop on a plane in search of good food! That's about 13 cents an ounce at Aldi, and 20 cents an ounce for the name brand. I really wanted to be able to guess the Aldi product here. But it seems sensible not to overpay for that experience, right? But buying at Aldi may mean they start making an appearance more frequently: There, the Baker's Treat brand is $2.55 for five pouches versus $3.99 for Hostess at Kroger. Would I buy the Aldi brand again? Aldi charges $2.59 for a 9-ounce packet of its Lunch Mate Turkey breast, which comes in very similar packaging to Oscar Meyer's Deli Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey. And obviously the circular shows a significant savings over the name brands. Both bars were Chocolate Peanut Butter and packed 20g protein, but I preferred the crispy crunch of the Millville bar. ... Del Monte have a bit less flavor than Aldi Sweet Harvest and cost more than twice as much. Nope — in this case, I'll happily pay more for the name brand. Cheapism may earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site. I set out to find out, and potentially save you some money along the way. Yes, especially in bulk for parties when every cent counts. I thought Aldi’s brand of maple syrup tasted exactly like what you’d get with your pancakes at a diner. Cheapism’s independent editorial team finds the best for less. Aldi is rapidly expanding in the U.S. I didn't expect there to be much of a difference here, and I was right. Going just by appearance and the packaging, Aldi’s bag says the bread is made with 23 whole grains and seeds (compared to Dave’s 21). [3] I have, naturally, tried many of these and now I present to you a face-off between the Aldi brands and their name brand counterparts. Did you know that items sold under the Aldi store brand are actually name-brand items in disguise? (By the way, I sampled the hummus with gluten-free pretzels, which, if you haven’t heard, are so much crunchier and more delicious than the regular thing. Jokes aside, they had a much cheesier flavor profile, with a slightly puffier crust. How to Make the Best Rugelach Cookies for the Holidays, Costco Is Selling a 12-Pack of Color-Changing Hot Cups That Will Brighten Your Day, Costco Is Selling a GIANT Cookie Tray We’re Definitely Not Leaving Out for Santa, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. It's unclear whether the avian mascot on Aldi's box of Millville Fruit Rounds has a name, but there's no mistaking what product he's supposed to evoke. Kraft has made an empire from these yellow slices of nebulous foodstuff, and for our money, we don't want anything else on our grilled cheese sandwiches. The slogan might not work well, but the unabashed packaging leaves no doubt that Aldi is gunning for Eggo with this frozen-food staple. The items containers and names 'look' similar to name brand. Price: $2.69 Aldi shoppers just can't get enough of this flavored carbonated water, and they also can't get enough of the lower price compared with the name brands. For $2.49, shoppers get four rolls. But the taste is almost dead on, especially in milk, though Kellogg's Froot Loops may be just a touch sweeter. That's less than 2 cents an ounce for Aldi's brand and just over 4 cents an ounce for the name brand. tell the difference. Seattle’s Best vs. Starbucks coffee. Lara Eucalano Updated: Mar. 19:11. A quick glance at a box of Millville Toaster Tarts might have you doing a double-take, as the similarity to Kellogg's Pop-Tarts is pretty uncanny. Methodology: Without knowing which product was which, I rated how closely matched each Aldi product and a corresponding name brand were on taste using a four-point scale (not very similar, somewhat similar, very similar, dead ringer). Would I buy them again? At $1.45 for a 12-ounce box, Aldi's brand is about 12 cents an ounce, while we paid $3.54 for a 10.1-ounce box of Froot Loops at Kroger, or 35 cents an ounce. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Test Kitchen at Aldi’s HQ in Batavia, Illinois. Source: reddit.com. Roast-in-a-bag chicken. Sliced Turkey. Color, consistency and taste were very similar between both brands. Not even if you paid me. We'll take a break from our regularly scheduled junk food to discuss a slightly better-for-you option. Top: Nurofen and Aldi… Aldi's Mama Cozzi's Cheese Pizza Snacks cost us $6.05 for 44.5 ounces, while we paid $6.99 for the same amount of Totino's Pizza Rolls at Kroger. Aldi Brand Cereal! Aldi brand products that are better than the originals. A: Live Gfree Cinnamon Raisin ($3.99) B: Udi’s Cinnamon Raisin ($5.24). I’m obsessed with LaCroix, but I gave the point to Aldi for this round. Several years ago we ran a "scientific" budget experiment in our home. Unless you're offended by the brighter yellow or slightly thicker cut of Aldi's cheese slices, they taste just as gloriously processed as Kraft's ubiquitous singles. But frankly, I’ve never been much of an Aldi shopper, and when it came time for the “Aldi or Not” taste test, I had no idea what to expect. Aldi isn't content to use the familiar red, blue and yellow of Nabisco Ritz Crackers box — in this case, there's an eerily similar name, too. They do this very well, almost too well. Fresh Meat Specials. Each test had two products in sampling cups labeled A or B. I knew one of the cups was an Aldi product, but didn’t know which one.