TOP CRUMPS
I tried all the supermarket crumpets – the winner had top texture and taste that really hits the spot and cost just 46p
Our round-up also includes one option that tasted the most 'homemade'
CRUMPETS have become posh nosh after Michelin-starred restaurants added them to their menus.
At Lyle’s, in east London and Clarence in Glasgow, crumpets come topped with oxtail and tandoori crab.
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While upmarket Waitrose saw sales of the comfort food up 25 per cent on this time last year.
And you can get in on the act.
Laura Stott tucks into a selection of affordable supermarket versions and gives her verdict and a score out of five.
Lidl Rowan Hill crumpets
Pack of six, 45p, 8p each
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VERY good value for money.
Although they looked very pale with extremely open “chimney holes” they didn’t taste underworked, and the flavour and texture were enjoyable with a good rise.
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Not the fluffiest but still fairly soft and moreish with crisp outers.
But they had a rather a sticky texture inside and I found them quite salty, which may not be to everyone’s preference.
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Plus they are extremely light and not very filling, so not great if you are hungry.
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They’d be good with marmalade or lemon curd on top if you wanted to balance them with some extra sugar.
If, like me, you appreciate more savoury flavours, layer on some salted butter and enjoy as they come.
Rating: 3/5
Sainsbury’s crumpets
Pack of six, 46p, 8p each
WHILE the packaging is a little plain the crumpets certainly aren’t boring.
With nice big holes on top they appear very appetising indeed.
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These yeasty breads have been made to a traditional recipe and look the part, with plenty of golden griddle marks on the top.
A couple in my pack were a bit too charred but it didn’t impact them at all on eating.
Not stodgy and no burned bottoms.
Once toasted, they tasted exactly as you want them too.
Dense but bouncy with a good spongy bite and very filling.
Went down a treat with lashings of butter and some jam.
Great value for money with a top texture and taste that really hits the spot.
Rating: 5/5
Marks & Spencer Ultimate crumpets
Pack of six, £1.50, 25p each
AS the priciest, these deluxe offerings aren’t going to get any best value for money scores but if it’s a really luxurious treat you want, the flavour and texture of these was excellent.
With sourdough cultures added to the recipe alongside the classic mix, the result is ultra-airy and fluffy.
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A little paler than many of the others but these pillowy pockets are huge, with a noticeably richer flavour.
They take a little longer to warm through but are soft, indulgent and melt in the mouth.
All you need is a thick layer of creamy yellow butter on them and a sofa to snuggle into.
Or keep for a special treat when you have visitors over and serve with some tea from a teapot.
Rating: 4/5
Aldi Village Bakery crumpets
Pack of six, 45p, 8p each
SLIGHTLY singed on top in places and the bottoms were far too dark and rather bitter.
However the yeasty mix in the middle was still pale and fluffy with nice, even perforation ensuring whatever you spread over will sink in nicely.
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These toast very quickly so watch them to ensure they don’t get burned.
A bit flatter than some others, these went a little too soft and soggy when I added a layer of spread but on the plus side they remained moist and were not rubbery.
Quite sweet so I think they would be best with something savoury such as some cheese or bacon for balance, or even alongside a fry up instead of toast.
Rating: 3/5
Tesco crumpets
Pack of six, 45p, 8p each
I THOUGHT these looked stingy and flat, they didn’t seem as yielding and squishy either.
The thin dough was tight and overworked and the tops were very dark.
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They also cooked very quickly in my toaster so I burned my first one.
However, with the setting turned right down, on the second attempt I had more success.
Rather bland and oddly sweet which left me feeling thirsty.
You need to put lots of topping on to get any real flavour.
These improved vastly with a thick layer of peanut butter but, really, I could have been slathering my topping on to anything.
Disappointing.
Rating: 2/5
Asda The Bakery crumpets
Pack of nine, 72p, 8p each
WITH nine in a pack they are a brilliant option for families to stock up on for post-school or Saturday sports snacking.
I really enjoyed the fresh flavour, they were the most “homemade” tasting and looking of all the options.
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When it comes to thickness and bounce, these came the closest to matching Marks and Spencer’s depth.
Huge holes on top so great for dunking into soup or a topping with a pate or some tinned crab.
Fluffy, yummy, filling and perfect any time of the day. A classic comfort eat that won’t cost you the earth.
Great flavour for the price tag. Well worth sticking in your toaster.
Rating: 4/5
Warburtons crumpets
Pack of six, 79p, 13p each, various supermarkets
DESPITE being from a brand, these were noticeably smaller than some of the supermarket own offerings, while also being more expensive.
That said, the crumpets look and taste rather good.
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A nice soft and fluffy inner that stayed moist and tasty even when the outside was crisped up in the toaster with big, even holes.
As they are a bit pricier, you might want to top these with something more substantial to make a meal of them.
Nice with some avocado and scrambled eggs, or just slather on some chocolate spread for comfort.
Hard to complain when they are on your plate, but they aren’t very affordable for a basic packet and will stretch your budget at the till.
Rating: 3/5
Morrisons crumpets
Pack of six, 55p, 9p each
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GENEROUSLY sized and, while they were more expensive than most, they contain sourdough cultures so I had high hopes for a great taste.
Sadly there was no improvement in quality to any other stores offerings.
Rather a tight mixture with very dark bases and edges plus uneven spacing of the chimney holes.
This made them harder to cook and anything you spread on top won’t ooze through.
Crispy on the outside but a raw taste in the middle these were hard to toast satisfactorily.
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As a cupboard or freezer basic they’d be fine but when they cost more than others it’s hard to get excited – no matter how much strawberry jam you put on top.
Rating: 2/5
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