Ballito’s supermarket mince pies put to the test

Mince Pies are a national Christmas favourite and something we take seriously. 

In an effort to find out which one represents best all-round value and taste this year, our news team got to work on testing the offerings available in supermarkets.

A good mince pie is one with short, buttery pastry, a generous fruit filing spiked with spices and citrus and finished perhaps with a dusting of snowy icing sugar for a bit of festive flair.

The mince pies went down incredibly well this year and generally they all earned a fair amount of applause.

Perhaps we were all just ready for some festive food in such a gloomy year?

Traditionally, early bakers flavoured their mince pies with a trio of spices – cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon – representing the Magi, the three kings or wise men from the east who followed the star to Bethlehem.

These spices are still popular additions to the modern pies. 

The bought varieties can also be greatly improved if they are served warm with a dollop of cream, ice-cream or brandy butter.

Woolworths Fruit Mince Pies: R36.65 for six

Scored highly for overall flavour, texture and appearance.

The pastry was crisp and buttery with a shortbread-like quality to it – firm but not crumbly.

The filling was chunky and moist.

The pies, which were consumed at an alarming rate were crowned the best overall supermarket mince pie.

Then in no particular order, we enjoyed the following mince pies:

Checkers Festive Fruit Mince Pies: R36.99 for six 

The pies were good with a slight crunch and evenly baked.

A classic crumbly pastry.

There was a generous helping of mincemeat, with notable sultanas and lovely, juicy raisins.

They had an inviting golden colour.

Food Lover’s Market Traditional Fruit Mince Pies: R39.99 for six

The pasty was really soft, but it does fall apart in your hands so is probably best enjoyed with a plate.

It was extremely buttery and very moreish.

It had less filling then the others.

It was covered in icing sugar which added a nice sweetness.

Pick n Pay Fruit Mince Pies: R36.99 for six

The pastry was buttery and crumbly and worked well with the mincemeat inside.

The filling was fine and not too sweet and was enjoyed by those who like a less spicy mince pie.

Spar Freshline Fruit Mince Pies: R42.99 for six

The was a little too thick and a bit dry, easily crumbling but there was a generous helping of mincemeat, with notable sultanas and lovely, juicy raisins giving them a subtle sweetness.