OK, so I've decided to start a little experiment... Since I only work two and a half days a week I am going to start trying supermarket own brand foods for lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, (it's easier that way, as the rest of the family are seriously picky when it comes to food)

So far I have tried the Sainsbury's Instant Noodles Chicken flavour, (like Super Noodles but only 10p a pack) and I have a packet of Chicken Curry flavour to try. I also bought an Asda Smart Price Chicken & Mushroom flavour Noodle Snack, (like Pot Noodle but only 35p)

The Instant Noodles were actually quite nice, (even Mrs. V. said they were OK), but I'm wondering if anyone else has tried this sort of experiment, and if so what do you make of the "cheap stuff"?

We hardly ever buy branded foods now. We always buy the supermarket own brand stuff, as it's usually pretty good.

The only time when that flag is false is for cornflakes. They're not quite as good as those from Mr Kellogg.

From empirical research (we tried it) the cheaper own brands are not as good as the slightly costlier ones. A Morrisons beef hotpot "value" is noticeably saltier than the slightly more expensive range.

I find it largely depends on both the supermarket and the "range". For example, I quite like Sainsbury's own-brand stuff (and Sainsbury's Red Label is the only own-brand tea I'll drink), whereas I find it hard to stomach Tesco and Asda stuff (the less said about Morrisons the better).

As for ranges, I'll normally get the "normal" own brand stuff, unless it's something you really can't get wrong, such as salt, and then I'll buy the economy one. I find the Sainsbury's Tase the Difference range to be outstanding, but then for that price you might as well buy the branded product.

There are some products that should never be substituted, such as Heinz salad cream.

IIRC I remember seeing a food documentary which said the difference between the 'own brand/economy' stuff and the standard stuff is mostly cosmetic. Cheaper/simpler packaging or, for example, cuts of meat that were still perfectly edible but not the ideal shape so they don't look so good on the shelf. Quality wise they generally weren't any worse than the 'name' brand stuff (or the name brand stuff is no better, take your pick).
So these days I tend to buy 'own brand' of the 'staples' - bread, milk, cereals, flour etc. - I tend to ignore brands and look at value for money, as apparently what's in the packet is often pretty much the same stuff.

The only thing I do tend to be careful about is fresh chicken meat & eggs - the one way they could save money on those to get down to the economy brand prices is using battery farming which is something I can't endorse. Plus - take an economy egg and a 'premium brand' egg and crack them in two bowls next to each other - you can't tell me the fact the yolks are virtually a different colour doesn't mean something.

I can't really comment on super noodles though, I wouldn't eat those as a rule..

Jon

Do Tesco et al have their own noodle and cornflake factories.

Well, I can only go on what Kellogg says on their packs: If it's not Kellogg's on the box, it's not Kellogg's in the box.

*Edited to add the apostrophes. It's Monday. Need I say more?*

Are we talking own brand or basic?

Sainsbury's own brand products are very nice, even a lot of their basics stuff is ok (esp cooking chocolate).

Same as with Colgate - We don't make toothpaste for anyone else.

At the end of the day it is a taste thing.

So far it's been Smart Price and Basics, (from Asda and Sainsbury's respectively) but I'm not limiting this, except to say that non-store branded products aren't being tested.

So I've just tried the Asda Smart Price Chicken & Mushroom flavour Noodle Snack, (as I skipped breakfast, again). One word sums it up. Bland. Adding a small amount of salt did improve the flavour quite a bit though.

Is it worth buying over Pot Noodle? Couldn't tell you, as it's so long since I had one of those I couldn't remember what they actually taste of, but on it's own merits, it's OK. As long as you don't mind adding a pinch of salt.

If you wouldnt eat it normally, why are you testing it?

Products I buy own brand in sainsbury's :

Jam, pasta, rice, yogurt, meat ( even basic sausage rolls in sainsburys are from responsibly farmed animals) flour, bakery products, squash

I find Sainsbury's High Juice to be even better quality than Robinson's TBH.

I never said I wouldn't eat them, just that I hadn't for a long time.

That is quite simply because I am married to a wonderful woman who happens to be a "bit of a fussy eater" and, when I'm cooking, would rather make something that we will both eat.

The other fact to consider is that there are people on this forum who do eat the branded version of the foods I have mentioned and, by trying them myself, I am saving those people the effort, and possible disappointment that would come from taking the risk and buying the cheap stuff.

You're welcome! :etc:

Have you got a Lidl near you JV? Cheap and delicious and not a brand you'd recognise anywhere in sight. I have to agree with wise Heather on cereals. I can only eat Kellogs but apart from that I'm not fussy at all and even use own brand mayo and salad cream.

Yes, there is a Lidl nearby and I am going to visit soon, as I'm sure I remember someone here saying that they were selling reindeer steaks...