Tested: this is the tastiest (and grossest) herb butter from the supermarket
Ready-made herb butter is one of those supermarket conveniences we often keep at home. Because a warm baguette with a generous layer of herb butter is simple pleasure for next to nothing. There are quite a few different varieties in the supermarket. We put them all to the test. Which supermarket herb butter comes out best (and worst)?
Herb butter can be found in two places in the supermarket: next to the regular butter in the refrigerated section or with the drinks snacks. The latter is often ‘fresh’ herb butter. In this test, we tasted both varieties. Except for the fresh variety in the drinks-snacks section at Albert Heijn (because it was sold out). At Coop and Vomar, they have a fresh variety from the same brand.
And, as in every test, all the herb butters were tasted blind. So we didn’t know which supermarket each tub of herb butter came from or what it cost. Only fair!
Tested: this is the tastiest (and grossest) herb butter from the supermarket
At first glance, there is a lot of difference in how the herb butters have been piped into the tubs. Some have slightly neater swirls than others. The colour is also striking: from bright green to (sorry…) vomit-coloured.
1. Dirk
While the appearance of this herb butter raises high expectations, the taste is a profound disappointment. With the first bite, the entire test team finds it rather… fishy?! According to Manouk, it’s better with mussels than on a baguette. Rick mainly tastes kale, while Louise tastes salmon. “Actually, this tastes like everything except herb butter.”
2. Aldi
We mainly find number 2 to taste chemical. Robert: “As if a lot of artificial flavourings have been added.” It actually reminds us of the taste of a vegetable stock cube, but in butter form.
3. Lidl
This spreads rather crumbly on the cracker. Once it’s in your mouth, though, it melts on the tongue. Rick thinks it could be served with a steak in a restaurant. This herb butter is sold as ‘light and airy’, but that’s not something we can taste.
4. Lidl (2)
This herb butter is really delicious. Louise, Rick and Robert all taste a lot of rosemary and thyme, but that is precisely what makes it so good. Lauretta: “Very herbaceous and deliciously buttery; the tastiest so far.”
5. Coop and Vomar
This looks like dried pea soup. You can see plenty of herbs, and the colour is also much greener than that of the other herb butters. Still, we find this one a little “bland and dull”, according to Manouk.
6. Aldi
Don’t be alarmed: this so-called herb cream really is vomit-coloured, “and the texture is too”, according to Rick. Just like mayo, no herbs, much too salty. Manouk sums it up briefly: “Tastes like cardboard, very cheap: a big no.” Every cloud has a silver lining: it doesn’t cost a thing either.
7. Jumbo
On to Jumbo. Unfortunately, we’re not exactly enthusiastic about this one either. Again, it has a slightly fishy taste, and it also brings liquid onions to mind. Rick: “This really tastes like onion soup.”
8. Dirk (2)
In appearance, this herb butter looks more like cream cheese. Manouk: “A beautiful curl when you run your knife over it, just like in the advert.” Robert: “Yes, this is the one. Incredibly delicious!” The rest of the tasting panel agrees: soft, light and herbaceous—a definite pass!
9. Jumbo (2)
What stands out most about the next herb butter is that it doesn’t spread very well. We find that disappointing. Louise also detects a strange artificial flavour. “Feels cheap and much too salty, not really tasty.”
10. Albert Heijn
This herb butter, on the other hand, is very easy to spread. It has a slightly milder, almost milky flavour. Plenty of herbs too. Louise: “This is one you can always put on the table.”
Conclusion
The herb butters that look the tastiest to us are the most disappointing in terms of flavour. The ones from Jumbo and Aldi are particularly disappointing, and you’d be better off leaving them on the shelf. The winner is clear: it’s Lidl’s number 2 herb butter (fourth in the tasting order). The herb butter in the round tub from Dirk is also very tasty, especially if you like a somewhat creamy texture. And the one from Appie? It takes the bronze medal.
Also read:
- How to turn your baguette herb butter into a truly delicious snack
- Homemade garlic butter is absurdly delicious and so easy to make
- 7 weirdest products from Dirk
