Value4Money

Conor Pope gives his verdict on four popular brands of coleslaw.

Galberts Luxury Coleslaw 1.95 for 227 grams 8.59 per kg

Highs: This self-styled "luxury" product was purchased in a Spar shop, so has the advantage of being widely available at all hours. It also has the highest carrot content - something which may, or may not, appeal - and is lower in calories than the other brands.

Lows: It is also the highest-priced product tried by a fairly hefty margin and it is hard to find anything remotely luxurious about it, save for its name. It has a peculiar aftertaste which verges on the synthetic.

Verdict: Disappointing.

Star rating: **

Marks & Spencer Traditional Coleslaw 1.29 for 227 grams 5.68 per kg

Highs: This is the freshest tasting of the brands tried and could almost be passed off as home-made. It has a nice crunchiness to it, is fairly cheap and those who like their coleslaw less creamy will be well served here.

Lows: Despite the fact that it was covered with two plastic lids, it still managed to leak all over the place. It's also the only one of the brands tested that's not made in Ireland. It has the highest calorie count, yet ends up tasting just a little bland.

Verdict: Dull but wholesome tasting.

Star rating: ***

Butler's Coleslaw 1.59 for 250 grams 6.36 per kg

Highs: This is a nice, hearty coleslaw with a good amount of roughly chopped carrot and cabbage in it. It tastes pleasant enough and should be fairly easy to source.

Lows: The mayonnaise is comparatively watery and the ingredient list is starkly minimalist with no indication of the percentages of the individual components in the mix. "Seasoning" is listed as one of the ingredients; whatever the seasoning is, this coleslaw could do with more of it.

Verdict: Hardly memorable.

Star rating: ***

Dunnes Stores Fine Shred Homestyle Coleslaw €1.29 for 227 grams €5.68 per kg

Highs: This is very heavy on the mayonnaise and fairly creamy in texture, which might be to some people's tastes. It is also quite keenly priced and widely available.

Lows: Full of flavour it most certainly is not. In fact, were it not for the sharp cabbage aftertaste, this coleslaw would be tasteless. The vegetables are so finely sliced that it is reduced to a virtually porridge-like consistency, which is never good. Unless you're eating porridge.

Verdict: Not much to rave about.

Star rating: **