Value for money

This week, CONOR POPEreviews Christmas puddings

Aldi Specially Selected Christmas Pudding €6.49 for 750g, €8.65 per kg

If this was a guest at a wedding party you’d be pouring it into a taxi before the starters arrived it’s so full of alcohol, but it doesn’t taste too boozy. It is not excessively sweet and is beautifully moist. The crunchy pecans and almonds are lovely too

LOWS

Can’t think of a single bad thing to say about this

VERDICT

Excellent

*****

Tesco Finest Matured Christmas Pudding €7.00 for 907g, €7.72 per kg

HIGHS

This has so much booze in it we were surprised it could stand unaided. It’s rich, sweet and crammed with almonds. It’s also light and, as we bought it half-price, surprisingly good value

LOWS

The alcohol might overpower some while the sweetness could have the same affect on older people

VERDICT

Top notch

****

Mr Kipling's Christmas Pudding €3.74 for 454g, €8.24 per kg

HIGHS

It’s ready to eat in three minutes, widely available and has the spiciest kick to it

LOWS

What’s missing is the alcohol and the home-made/luxury feel you expect from a Christmas treat. It’s on the heavy side and left a not entirely pleasant aftertaste

VERDICT

Alright

***

Marks & Spencer Classics for Chrismas Pudding €4.78 for 454g, €10.53 per kg

HIGHS

MS do make larger puddings but this might suit families more. With just 7 per cent alcohol – port, cider and a drop of rum – it’s pretty sober compared to its boozy Finest cousin. It’s not as sweet as many puddings we tried

LOWS

Stodgy texture and a stern critic might accuse it of lacking flavour

VERDICT

Fine but not finest

***