Tesco, Napolina, Parioli...I feel stupid

tweetney

I'm quite a connoisseur when it comes to Extra Olive Oil and noticed that the Napolina Extra Virgin Olive Oil is exactly the same as Tesco Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I noticed the colour, viscosity and smell is exactly the same. I also noticed (which probably gave it away that they are the same or could be the norm thing to say) is on the bottle. Both bottles state the exact word for word on the following:

"Superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means"

The nutritional information is slightly different though, but that's not fooling me.

Now the price difference is near enough double. Napolina goes for around £7-£8 per litre and Tesco's goes for around £3.50-£4.50 per litre (always fluctuates).

Or I may be wrong.

terra_ferma

Sophie4120 wrote: »

I like Cirio chopped tomatoes - I always buy loads when Morrisons has them on offer

You can tell the difference, this is the only brand I use.

cherrypies

Not defending Tesco but Parioli are very good canned tomatoes, they're currently on half price for 4 cans - £2, and are well worth 50p per can (would not pay the £4 they are supposedly at full price!). There is no comparison between these and value tinned tomatoes, open 2 cans side by side and see, the value ones contain less chunks of tomato, are more liquidy and not as flavourful, the parioli are quite the opposite - full of chunks in a rich and flavourful tomato juice with a glossy consistency.

That said, I buy both. I use the cheaper tomatoes in things like curries that have a lot of other highly flavoured ingredients and the toms are just a base. But if I'm making a dish centered on tomatoes, like ratatouille or a tomato sauce for pasta, I use the good tinned toms or fresh. There really is a difference.

Agree that Cirio are very good, I use the Cirio passata and it's fab.

Eliza_2

I really like the Morrisons value tomatoes, the sauce is really thick, not watery like some of the cheaper brands.

missladyannie

We always buy Napolina tomatoes, we have tried own brands but can't get on with them. However, I will not pay full price for them as they are so expensive, they are 50p at the moment in Asda and my mum gets 10% discount so 45p a can, probably the cheapest i've ever got them so i'll be stocking up!

C_Mababejive

cril01 wrote: »

Tesco have the Parioli tomatoes (pack of 4) priced at £3.79 today an they are on a buy 1 get 2 free offer. Works out about 32p per can.

Now £2.34 on so called special offer

C_Mababejive

Apparently although the Napolina brand is Princes..their tomatoes are "grown on the sun drenched slopes of Puglia.." so is it important who cans them and where?

Edwardia

Lidl is the master at this. You look at the back of the tin/packet and most of the time it's not a brand but something made for Lidl. That's why you don't find them anywhere else. I guess they think a store full of 90% own brands in the same packaging would look boring and not appeal to customers.

https://www.plstorebrands.com will keep you up to date on all the new private label ie exclusive to store brand news. If you fail to find a brand in any store but one chances are it's a private label.

Tesco takes this concept further..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2258699/Harris--Hoole-Pop-latte-looks-like-quirky-family-business-But-seems.html?ICO=most_read_module

cashewy

Used to love Napolina tomatoes but cant justify the price any more, even at 50p a tin. Aldi's Sweet Harvest tomatoes are a great substitute though IMO at 35p, always nice red whole toms or big chunks in the chopped variety and a lovely thick sauce, not watery. The worst toms I bought were Sainsburys value brand in the tetra packs - chopped so small it was more of a tomato sludge, loads of green bits and so thin and watery, wont buy em again.

alinwales

princes group:
http://www.princesgroup.com/

so can't buy Flora again, cos it's not fancy enough any more!