Pleased but disappointed equally with Aldi

[Jan]

We started shopping at Aldi about four months ago. We had to get the food bill down somehow as our family had gone from two to three adults and a 14 year old eat-for-England grandson. We have been enormously pleased with our Aldi bills, but have still had to shop at Tesco. However, we did notice that flavour was lacking in many things we bought from Aldi. And the last straw was a pack of pork chops. We had three grilled chops one night and I slow-cooked the remainder for dinner the following night. We ate tasteless meat both nights. The apple pies (Mr Kipling size) also have no flavour, in fact last evening I opened a can of evaporated milk to have some with my apple pie. Now I do like the packets of sliced corned beef - because it is not as strongly flavoured as branded tins of corned beef. But on the whole, we are going back to Tesco for our meat products. Another tasteless item is their butter. I could list other foods but I think you will get the picture.

Does anyone else feel the same?

[Guest]

Nope, I’m more than happy with the quality of the meat products, never had tasteless meat that I can remember.
Don’t buy Mr Kipling style pies so can’t comment on those but love their specially selected mince pies with their evaporated milk!
The equivalent price meat in Tesco on the other hand is quite often fatty and ropey.

[Col&Ali]

Yes, I tried too and have gone back to Tesco. Some of the produce is so bland - I wasn't sure if it is due to the UK supermarkets over-seasoning some of their produce and Aldi, being a German company, season less?

I also like Clubcard benefits and we are partial to a nosey in the reduced aisle ... that helps ;-)

[lizzie145]

I found meats at both Lidl and Aldi lacking in taste. I shop at Sainsbury's

[Purplefrog]

No problem with the meat from Aldi and their pizzas are far better than others that sell at quadruple the price.

[Disneyphile]

I also don’t get the hype about Aldi and Lidl. Some of their products are ok but the meat is usually filled with water and the fruit and veg never lasts longer than a day or two.
I don’t find Tesco’s any more expensive with the 10% off as long as I don’t buy lots of branded products.

[Guest]

Not been in Aldi for 35 years, my parents gave it a go when we were children. They soon switched back, everything was disgusting, maybe it has improved but I have not given it another chance.

I am wondering how they can take flavour out of meat though?

[djewkes]

I do my main shop at Lidl, DH prefers it to Aldi (more spacious and conveyer belt longer... no, I don’t get it either!) but am happy with all their produce, most I can’t tell the difference between them and Tesco etc...

[PPM]

Can someone with the knowledge tell me how raw untreated beef and pork bought at one supermarket have less flavour than the same bought at another supermarket?

Is it to do with what the animals are fed?

[jemett]

Yes I only buy their free range chicken and always shop at the local butcher for other meat.