Battle of the Homebrand Spanakopitas: Coles vs ALDI
- Replies 18
We are back with another member-submitted product review. This review comes from the multi-talented member @Suzanne rose, who has kindly compared a ready-to-heat dinner option from Coles and ALDI: the delicious Spanakopita.
Unfortunately, Woolworths and IGA did not have a comparable home-brand offering, so they’re already eliminated from this battle.
Let’s take a look at whether ALDI’s ‘People’s Picks’ winning offering or Coles’ underdog option comes out on top. Shall we?
Before we get started, let’s learn more about the reviewer, Suzanne.
Meet Suzanne:
I'm a retired bridal consultant who has always loved cooking and exploring new dishes. I am also a mother to 13 and grandmother to 19. I am Australian-born with Irish/English heritage and have been married to a Greek man for over 45 years.
Note from the Editor: You’ve likely seen her recipes in our daily newsletters, and you can read more in her full-length member spotlight here.
Coles Spinach And Cheese Spanakopita | 800g
Price: $11.25 for 800g – Link to purchase
This product was a little hard to find. It was literally in the far corner of the store.
The packaging was very enticing, stating it was authentic Greek.
Easy to understand directions. It was basically heating the oven and placing it in the oven.
When it came out of the oven, it looked and smelled amazing. The pasty was perfect and not oily at all. The spinach and feta were exactly the perfect combination, and the ratio of spinach and cheese was perfect.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how the taste was exactly like eating a homemade Spanakopita.
Is it worth it?
Affordability: 5 stars
Quality: 5 stars
I would definitely recommend this to anyone. This would be perfect for those non-cooks and for those wanting to experience a taste of Greece. The price was very affordable.
I love that even after being frozen and cooked it tastes like it was just baked fresh. I will definitely be buying this again, even though I actually also make it from scratch.
ALDI Urban Eats Spanakopita 750g
Price: $8.99 for 750g — Link to purchase
I found this product with ease. The packaging was good and enticing.
When I removed the Spanakopita from the box, it was in a foil tray covered in plastic. Baking was again easy; all it needed was the removal of plastic and to be baked in its own tray in a 200-degree oven for 40 minutes. I advise you to check at 35 minutes because when I did, it was ready.
The pastry looked good and tasted good, but the filling was disappointing. There wasn't as much filling in it as there was in the Coles Spanakopita.
I also found the authentic flavours were not there. In fact, there was a flavour that I really didn't like, yet I couldn't work it out. I also found that it was oily.
Is it worth it?
Affordability: 5 stars
Quality: 3 stars
Even though this one is only 50 grams less than the Coles one, it looked a lot smaller. I think if you don't know what real Spanakopita tasted like, you may still like this one. Otherwise, I really wouldn't recommend it.
Would I buy it again? The answer is no.
Which is the winner?
I am actually surprised. I thought we would have liked ALDI more than the Coles one, but the Coles Spanakopita is the winner by far. The taste and texture are exactly like the authentic Greek dish.
From the Editor
So there you have it! If you’re looking for an easy heat-and-serve dinner option, Coles’ Spanakopita is the way to go. This came as a surprise to the team in the SDC HQ as well, since ALDI’s option is consistently praised online and was voted as one of their top picks in their annual ‘People’s Picks’. That just goes to show how impressive Coles’ offering really is.
Now, members, have you tried either store’s Spanakopita before? Or perhaps there’s another frozen option you prefer? Let us know!
And, if you enjoyed reading this review, leave a comment below so we know which content you’d like to see more of!
Unfortunately, Woolworths and IGA did not have a comparable home-brand offering, so they’re already eliminated from this battle.
Let’s take a look at whether ALDI’s ‘People’s Picks’ winning offering or Coles’ underdog option comes out on top. Shall we?
Will Coles or ALDI come out on top? Image Credit: Shutterstock, Coles, ALDI
Before we get started, let’s learn more about the reviewer, Suzanne.
Meet Suzanne:
I'm a retired bridal consultant who has always loved cooking and exploring new dishes. I am also a mother to 13 and grandmother to 19. I am Australian-born with Irish/English heritage and have been married to a Greek man for over 45 years.
Note from the Editor: You’ve likely seen her recipes in our daily newsletters, and you can read more in her full-length member spotlight here.
Coles Spinach And Cheese Spanakopita | 800g
Price: $11.25 for 800g – Link to purchase
The product packaging (left) and the product in-store (right). Image Credit: Member @Suzanne rose/SDC
This product was a little hard to find. It was literally in the far corner of the store.
The packaging was very enticing, stating it was authentic Greek.
Easy to understand directions. It was basically heating the oven and placing it in the oven.
When it came out of the oven, it looked and smelled amazing. The pasty was perfect and not oily at all. The spinach and feta were exactly the perfect combination, and the ratio of spinach and cheese was perfect.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how the taste was exactly like eating a homemade Spanakopita.
Is it worth it?
Affordability: 5 stars
Quality: 5 stars
I would definitely recommend this to anyone. This would be perfect for those non-cooks and for those wanting to experience a taste of Greece. The price was very affordable.
I love that even after being frozen and cooked it tastes like it was just baked fresh. I will definitely be buying this again, even though I actually also make it from scratch.
ALDI Urban Eats Spanakopita 750g
Price: $8.99 for 750g — Link to purchase
The product packaging (left) and the product in-store (right). Image Credit: Member @Suzanne rose/SDC
I found this product with ease. The packaging was good and enticing.
When I removed the Spanakopita from the box, it was in a foil tray covered in plastic. Baking was again easy; all it needed was the removal of plastic and to be baked in its own tray in a 200-degree oven for 40 minutes. I advise you to check at 35 minutes because when I did, it was ready.
The pastry looked good and tasted good, but the filling was disappointing. There wasn't as much filling in it as there was in the Coles Spanakopita.
I also found the authentic flavours were not there. In fact, there was a flavour that I really didn't like, yet I couldn't work it out. I also found that it was oily.
Is it worth it?
Affordability: 5 stars
Quality: 3 stars
Even though this one is only 50 grams less than the Coles one, it looked a lot smaller. I think if you don't know what real Spanakopita tasted like, you may still like this one. Otherwise, I really wouldn't recommend it.
Would I buy it again? The answer is no.
The results are in. Image Credit: SDC
Which is the winner?
I am actually surprised. I thought we would have liked ALDI more than the Coles one, but the Coles Spanakopita is the winner by far. The taste and texture are exactly like the authentic Greek dish.
From the Editor
So there you have it! If you’re looking for an easy heat-and-serve dinner option, Coles’ Spanakopita is the way to go. This came as a surprise to the team in the SDC HQ as well, since ALDI’s option is consistently praised online and was voted as one of their top picks in their annual ‘People’s Picks’. That just goes to show how impressive Coles’ offering really is.
Now, members, have you tried either store’s Spanakopita before? Or perhaps there’s another frozen option you prefer? Let us know!
And, if you enjoyed reading this review, leave a comment below so we know which content you’d like to see more of!
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