PARTS of Britain are set to bask in temperatures of 29C this week – so a nice ice cream might cool you down.
A Wall’s Magnum is la crème de la crème but as they cost significantly more than most supermarket rivals, are they worth it?
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A three pack will now set you back £3.50 – 25p more than even last year – and twice now, Magnums have also been outed for shrinkflation.
A year ago, the ice cream was downsized from 110 to 100ml and then this year, it reduced the number in the pack from four to three whilst keeping the price the same.
This effectively bumps the price of each ice cream up by a third.
You can pick them up for less than 50p each at Lidl. But do they stack up on taste?
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LYNSEY HOPE finds out:
Magnum Classic
- Nutrition: 231 calories, 14g fat, 20g sugar
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Lynsey says: “Deliciously thick chocolate which is the making of the Magnum for me and why these ice creams are such a hit.
“The vanilla ice cream is creamy and perfectly sweet. Whilst delicious, they used to have branding on the chocolate which has disappeared so it’s actually quite hard to tell them apart from the own brands.
“They are actually a little smaller than most at 100ml, rather than 110ml, so not only are they more expensive but you’re getting less for your money.”
Milk Chocolate Ice Creams by Sainsbury’s
- £1.86 for 4 (46.5p each)
- Nutrition: 247 calories, 15.9g fat, 18.5g sugar
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Lynsey says: “You get in four in the pack at Sainsbury’s which makes these brilliant value, costing less than 50p each.
“Exceptional value, beating even Lidl and Aldi on price per lolly. The chocolate on these Sainsbury’s ice creams isn’t quite as luxurious as the Magnum Classic, but it has a lovely smooth flavour and isn’t too rich.
“It’s quite thin but moreish. The ice cream has a strong vanilla flavour, which dominates and they are a good size at 110ml each.”
Tesco Milk Chocolate Ice Creams
- Nutrition: 229 calories, 14.1g fat, 18.5g sugar
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Lynsey says: “The chocolate on the Tesco ice creams was too thick and I didn’t like the texture or flavour.
“The chocolate was overpowering, almost burnt tasting. The ice cream was too dense and heavy.
“They’ve also jumped in price from 45p in 2023 to 53p in 2024 and they are now 70p each. They are a good size, at 110ml, but probably my least favourite.”
Lidl Bon Gelati Ice Creams
- £2.85 for 6 (47.5p each)
- Nutrition: 268 calories, 17.1g fat, 22g sugar
Lynsey says: “Not only are Lidl’s ice creams the most generous in size at 120ml, they are amongst the best value too.
“They had a lovely aroma as I tore off the wrapper, the chocolate was the thickest and the ice cream was creamy with just the right hint of vanilla.
“They didn’t melt too quickly and I Ioved the texture too. A worthy winner.”
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
M&S Chocolate Sticks
- Nutrition: 229 calories, 13.5g fat, 22.5g sugar
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Lynsey says: “I really loved the flavour of the M&S ice creams. The ice cream was milky and creamy without being too sweet.
“The chocolate was thinner than others but it had a nice ‘snap’ and a rich, decadent flavour.
“These really melted in the mouth. Again they are smaller than others at 100ml per ice cream – and more expensive.”
Asda Milk Chocolate Ice Creams
- Nutrition: 230calories, 14g fat, 19g sugar
Lynsey says: “Loved the chocolate on the Asda dupes, which was thick with a creamy and rich flavour. It really melted in the mouth.
“However, the ice cream tasted a little watery and this let them down.
“They are a good size at 110ml but they’ve also gone up quite a lot in price, now costing 70p each.
“Reasonable value compared to the big brand but Sainsbury’s and Aldi both offered better value for money.”
Aldi Gianni’s Milk Chocolate Ice Creams
- £1.99 for 4 (49.7p each)
- Per ice cream: 234 calories, 13.6g fat, 18g sugar, 0.11g salt
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Lynsey says: “Quite close to the Magnum in texture, with a smooth and dense ice cream which tasted lovely but was less sweet.
“The chocolate was a little grainy, but it had a nice flavour and just the right snap as you took a bite.
“One of the lowest in sugar and fat too, so that’s a bonus. At just 49.7p per ice cream, these are a bargain.”
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