Oh crap, it's a three way tie.
Time for a second round!
Iceland's filling is lovely and warming, with a citrusy punch, but both Asda and COOP have more complex and interesting flavours. COOP has stronger flavours, but one of those flavours is cherries, and I've never much liked cherries. Asda, on the other hand, has more spices and a better overall balance.
Asda's pastry is the better of the three. It's perhaps a bit sweeter than I'd normally like, but it works well with the filling, and the crumbly but firm texture is beautiful.
In truth, you can't go far wrong with any of these mince pies, but if I have to pick -- and this whole exercise rather suggests that I do -- I pick Asda as the winner.
(Cheers, applause, etc)
#MincePieFest2025 #MincePieADay
(If you'd like to support this absurd but apparently popular exercise in increasing the size of my waistline then donations are gratefully accepted at Ko-fi.)
Perhaps i'll try the Coop mince pies. I quite like cherry.
ReplyDeleteThey are very good, and COOP has placed first in 2021-2024, so there's consistency there.
DeleteI love reading these every year. Here in NYC we really only get Kipling and Walkers and even then you have to go to a specialty shop. I enjoy mince pies vicariously through you and your blog.
ReplyDeleteSame here...thanks to this series, our underappreciation of mince pies is probably the American cultural foible I curse the most!
Delete(Well...no, there are worse, but I try not to think about the others...)
Ha! Well, I'm glad I can bring some joy to your blighted nation. ;)
DeleteWhat the others said, a delight to read every year, and the series that got me into making my own pies every yule!
DeleteAnd I love that!
Delete?
ReplyDelete