SAY what you want about tinned soup, but it's a cheap and easy lunch or dinner and great way to warm up over the colder months.
Many of us are opting for cheaper meal options as the cost of living squeezes budgets.
With Heinz the big name in the soup game, it can come at a price compared to supermarket versions.
But do they stand up when it comes to taste?
The Sun tested eight own-brand broths against the classic Heinz vegetable soup to see how they compared.
The winning crown was shared between three major supermarkets – and all tins came in 60% cheaper compared to Heinz's version too.
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Here's what we found.
Co-op
- £1 (400g)
- 25p per 100g
I wasn't expecting the Co-op soup to fair well in terms of flavour as it's not my regular shopping spot, but I was shocked at how good it tasted.
It was the right balance of salty and sweet with a bit of a spicy kick, while the vegetables were firm.
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My only complaint was that it did have a slightly synthetic aftertaste and the texture was grainy.
The £1 price point was frustrating too, given how well the tin shaped up in terms of flavour and texture.
Were it not for the steep cost, I would be more likely to buy it in the future.
- Taste and texture: 8/10
- Price: 5/10
- Overall: 13/20
Waitrose
- 75p (400g)
- 18.8p per 100g
I was taken aback by the colouring on the Waitrose soup as it came out much more yellow than the others.
I had high expectations for the flavour too, given the retailer's reputation for high food quality, but I was really disappointed.
There was a good spread of vegetables in the tin and the texture was smooth, but it tasted bland and uninteresting.
The price point was reasonable though, coming in at 75p.
- Taste and texture: 4/10
- Price: 6/10
- Overall: 10/20
Morrisons
- 67p (400g)
- 16.8p per 100g
Morrisons' own-brand tin was thick in texture without being too gloopy.
The tomato flavour wasn't too overpowering but overall it wasn't quite flavoursome enough to knock Co-op off the top spot for taste and texture.
It did have green beans inside, unlike the other tins, which made for a unique addition though.
The major USP of the tin was the price point – 67p – making it joint cheapest with Aldi, Lidl and Sainbury's.
- Taste and texture: 6/10
- Price: 8/10
- Overall: 14/20
Heinz
- £1.70 (400g)
- 42.5p per 100g
I must admit I'm a sucker for Heinz tomato soup and can think of nothing better than a tin of the stuff with a thick, crusty baguette on a cold Sunday afternoon.
I've never tried the iconic brand's vegetable flavour though and had high expectations, but was sorely disappointed.
The texture was really slimy and the flavour left a bitter aftertaste.
The £1.70 price point, when bought from Sainsbury's, was a real stinger as well.
At the time of writing you could also find the tin for £1 with a Nectar Card.
But The Sun bases prices in taste tests on retailer's recommended retail prices (RRP).
- Taste and texture: 5/10
- Price: 4/10
- Overall: 9/20
Tesco
- 75p (400g)
- 18.75p per 100g
Tesco's tin had a strong flavour of tart tomato and was the right balance of sweet and salty.
The texture was silky smooth and there was a good balance of liquid and vegetables too.
One minor gripe is that there was an acidic aftertaste though.
In terms of price, it wasn't the cheapest, but will still save you cash compared to Heinz.
- Taste and texture: 7/10
- Price: 6/10
- Overall: 13/20
Asda
- 70p (400g)
- 17.5p per 100g
As soon as I cracked open the Asda tin I was hopeful as it had a vibrant orange colour.
The flavour was sweet and the vegetables were firm in the sauce, although the texture was a bit goopy.
This was another good value option. not the cheapest but not the priciest either.
- Taste and texture: 6/10
- Price: 7/10
- Overall: 13/20
Sainsbury's
- 67p (400g)
- 16.8p per 100g
Sainsbury's has fared well in previous corn flakes and frosted flakes taste tests, so I was hopeful for its tinned soup.
But I was a left feeling a bit let down – the taste was earthy and bland – although the texture was thick without being sludgy.
Its major selling point was the cost at just 67p.
- Taste and texture: 5/10
- Price: 8/10
- Overall: 13/20
Lidl
- 67p (400g)
- 16.8p per 100g
I wasn't expecting too much in terms of flavour from Lidl – but I was pleasantly surprised.
The texture was a bit pithy, however the overall flavour of tomato came through nicely.
The vegetables also had a solid texture and weren't too squishy, and the 67p price point was a stand out.
- Taste and texture: 6/10
- Price: 8/10
- Overall: 14/20
Aldi
- 67p (400g)
- 16.8p per 100g
The Aldi soup had a nice umami flavour to it and almost tasted meaty, although the aftertaste was slightly chemically.
The texture was smooth albeit with a few mushy vegetables.
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Again, a solid price point of 67p boosted its score.
- Taste and texture: 6/10
- Price: 8/10
- Overall: 14/20
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