Adventures: Bakehouse Wanders Brighton Part 2 Hi everyone! After months of procrastination, I'm thrilled to finally share part two of my Brighton adventure—because who doesn’t love a seaside story? Picking up from last time, I started my day at the Flint Owl Bakery for breakfast and coffee, followed by a visit to Vero Gusto, an Italian bakery, to pick up some delectable treats. Although I’ve been to Brighton plenty of times, my adventures have mostly centred around the Marina and the beach. This time, I wandered into The Lanes—a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, but a place I’d never explored. I didn’t even realise I was in The Lanes at first—that’s what happens when you don’t have a plan. From what I gathered, The Lanes are a mix of independent shops focused on ‘hip’ culture (do people still say ‘hip’?), fashion, and antiques. None of these are really my thing, but you know what they also had? A pasty shop. Now that is definitely up my street… or lane. The ...
Most Wonderful Snacks of the Year
Christmas Snacks Rated
Everyone has different Christmas traditions, and opinions on when the Christmas period officially begins vary. Some start their festive season on December 1st, others after Halloween, and some keep the spirit alive all year. Meanwhile, stores seem to embrace the holiday season earlier each year in their capitalist calendar.
Personally, my Christmas period unfolds in two phases. The second, marked by the arrival of decorations that make the place all sparkly, starts on December 8th—more importantly, after the 7th, a date associated with the departure of a dearly missed family member. The initial entry into Christmas occurs on Remembrance Sunday, specifically after the service at my local memorial, which happened this morning!
Following the service, it has become a tradition for me to dart through the crowds and get into Costa as early as possible before the rush, treating myself to a Christmassy drink to welcome in the magical time of year.
Now that we're in the Christmas spirit, the next couple of months' posts will be quite festively themed, starting with today, where I'll be reviewing some Christmas snacks for your seasonal parties or binge-watching pleasure. My purchases so far are from local supermarkets—Sainsbury's and Waitrose. While I may add more to this post as the weeks roll by, I'll focus on widely known supermarkets in this review.
I typically shop at Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Asda for my groceries, occasionally exploring both ends of the spectrum at Lidl and Waitrose. Each supermarket has its uses and purposes, offering decent products in their own way. While top-end stores like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason have lovely products, I want to keep this review realistic for a diverse audience feeding their Christmas hordes.
Rather than splurging on an entire range and risking subsequent stomach issues, I've chosen a few items from each shop's Christmas selection to mull over. I am not a trained food critic, and importantly, I've bought everything with my own money—no sponsorship involved. I intend to be completely truthful and transparent.
Sainsbury's
From Sainsbury's, I've picked a couple of table snacks to throw into a bowl for people to enjoy and a Porter that caught my eye. Prices are current and subject to change based on location.
- Taste the Difference Brie & Bubbly Crisps, 150g (£1.50)
- Sainsbury's Jumbo Pigs in Blankets Flavour Puffs, 250g (£1.95)
- Taste the Difference Winter Porter 5%, 500ml (£1.95)
Taste the Difference Brie & Bubbly Crisps
These Brie and Bubbly crisps were picked as a mix of novelty and curiosity, Brie has a distinctive flavour, but the idea of sparkling wine a crisp flavour sounded both difficult to achieve, and weird.
Tucking in you do get hit by a kind of cheese flavour, not your typical cheddar, but not really brie either, if any cheese closer to a feta.
I really tried to taste the wine, honestly I did, but nope, at times I thought I felt a slight fizz on the tongue although that could've been a mental thing whilst striving to find some connection to Sparkling White wine.
The tang that made me say feta might be an acidic influence from the wine, so there's a chance I tasted it just not for the better; feta doesn't sound like an inspiring crisp flavour.
The crisps are okay in terms of crispiness, falling somewhere between Kettle Chips and typical Walkers. A positive note is that they're vegetarian, though not vegan.
I'll admit, I've started not quite as intended, with a bit of a dud, the novelty is intriguing, but the reality is okay crisps with a weirdly tangy cheese-ish flavour. In all honesty I'd rather be sitting in front of some Kettle Chips or Sensations, which awkwardly come in at the same price, if you have a nectar card.
Sainsbury's Jumbo Pigs in Blankets Flavour Puffs
Clearly designed to be plonked into a bowl for casual festive nibbling, these Jumbo Pigs in Blankets Flavour Puffs deliver on their promise.
When you first open the bag you get a waft of what I'd describe as smoky bacon, not bad for a vegan product literally named as pork wrapped in pork.
Sainsbury's aren't lying about jumbo, these things are like huge Watsits, just with a different flavour. The flavour I can't exactly pin down, but bacon with a hint of some other pork based product doesn't feel miles off, so I'll let them have it.
In another comeback for Sainsbury's these are crispy, more noticeably than the crisps. The flavour is quite strong so I couldn't get through a lot of them, and although you aren't going to be pairing them with your Christmas bubbles or festive soiree, they will do a great job at a more chilled affair with a few beers, or even a cider, which would actually be a pretty decent pairing.
Unlike the crisps, I'd advise buying these for a more casual setting, they're still cheaper than certain crisps in a tube, and you get a lot for your money. We have a winner on the second run up!
Taste the Difference Winter Porter
If you're a tee-total this one obviously isn't for you, but I'm quite partial to a darker beer, which is where Porter snuggly fits in. If you haven't had a Porter before, picture something between a bitter and a less viscous stout (an example being Guinness). Generally porters are to carry additional flavouring well, winter spices in this case.
In colour its lighter than I'd expect for a porter, closer to a darker ale, this isn't a bad thing per se, more an observation.
The label says notes of cinnamon, and there's definitely spices at work, but cinnamon doesn't stand out predominantly, which I'd argue is a good thing, I'm certain ginger and clove are also coming through; this Porter has the vibe of mulled cider in beer form.
It serves as a pleasant introduction for those accustomed to lagers or IPAs, welcome to the Dark Side!
Although I'm unlikely to miss it as we pass winter, I'll be drinking a few over the coming months. This drink would be great for outside events such as fireworks or carol singing, people drink at carol singing right? I've not been, but I would be. The addition of spices will definitely make you feel warm inside whilst you're freezing your nose off.
Top tip for commuters, stick one of these in your bag in case of cancelled trains, as is often the case this time of year. When the situation hits, you'll thank me, and those people glaring at you, that's what jealousy looks like. I know because I've done this, fortunately a mate was on the other platform with a bottle opener, maybe stow one of them too.
Waitrose
Waitrose had a split with Heston since last Christmas so their range isn't the as extensive as last year. My mum was mortified when she found out Heston's Cheese and Pear mince pies wouldn't be available this year, I'm not crying over it, I thought they were awful, but she loved them and doesn't like mince pies, I love mince pies, which might explain the polar views on the product's departure.
- Turkey & Stuffing Flavour Tortilla Chips, 200g (£1.50)
- Cinnamon Knots, 150g (£1.50)
Turkey & Stuffing Flavour Tortilla Chips
Straight out of the gate, these are brilliant.
I'm not a Waitrose shopper, they generally push my wallet a touch too far, but I picked these up out of intrigue, although expecting a gimmick. I was wrong, they delivered on flavour, okay it's not exactly turkey, but if you imagine in your head turkey and stuffing whilst eating them you might get there.
They're crispy as you'd expect for tortilla chips, and in cute little Christmas tree shapes, which adds novelty without going over the top.
Again vegetarian turkey flavouring, but that seems to be common these days, and honestly if the flavour is there, I see it as a win.
Honestly, these are my outright winner of this post, they taste great, and despite being novelty are an all round great product. You could easily serve these with some evening fizz or general nibbles.
Cinnamon Knots
We're in the biscuit isle now, we're straying from the party nibbles and more towards the mince pie alternative.
As the name suggests, cinnamon is the predominant flavour that you notice, its strong but not overbearing, which too much cinnamon can be. After a few seconds there's an added butteriness, which takes you on a journey to a more traditional Cinnamon Bun.
The packet says from Holland, I don't know if these are special to the Netherlands, but they are good. I'm not taking them over a mince pie, but they're tasty all the same.
An interesting biscuit, not sure they'd fit the definition exactly, but I'll go with it, they're risen and have a mixed crisp and buttery texture, but not in a puff pastry way. I'm not clear on the setting they're designed for but I'm happy to have a box sitting around at the moment, I'll be using them for elevenses with a tea or coffee.
Another winner from Waitrose, not on the level of the tortilla chips, and more niche in audience, but great all the same, and at £1.50 they're worth a try if you like cinnamon, obviously if you don't like cinnamon they're going to be awful.
Conclusion
Sainsbury's managed two out of three, with the Pigs in Blankets Puffs and Winter Porter emerging as solid entries with different goals in mind. However, the Brie & Bubbly Crisps fell short of expectations, lacking the desired crispiness and a distinct sparkling wine flavour.
I can imagine many households getting on well with the Pigs in Blankets Puffs, they're well priced and you get plenty for your money. Of the Sainsbury's item's I've tried thus far the Porter will have Ommni's stamp of approval, is that a thing? It is now.
Waitrose, surprisingly, exceeded expectations. The Turkey & Stuffing Tortilla Chips were a standout winner, offering great flavour and value for money. The Cinnamon Knots, while not reaching the level of the tortilla chips, are a niche but tasty option for those who enjoy cinnamon.
In terms of value for money, Waitrose outperformed Sainsbury's, although the comparison is based on a small selection from each shop. While some prices in Waitrose remain puzzling, Sainsbury's has also headed in that direction with certain exclusive items.
The Turkey and Stuffing Tortilla Chips easily get another stamp of approval, I loved these, and made return trip to buy more!
As you navigate the aisles of supermarkets this Christmas season, I hope these reviews help you discover some delightful nibbles for your gatherings and steer clear of items that might land you on someone's naughty list.