SWEET-toothed Brits can't resist Easter chocolate with a third of us tucking into an egg a MONTH before Easter Sunday.
Research, by Aldi, shows almost half of us admit to scoffing an Easter egg we'd bought for someone else and seven per cent hide our eggs from family members.
This year also sees a new trend for flat and indulgently ‘loaded' eggs. But are they as tasty as the standard shaped Easter treat and are they good value for money?
LYNSEY HOPE tries a few to find out. Here, she shares her verdict:
Aldi Specially Selected Belgian Truffle Egg (250g)
£9.99 (£4 per 100g)
Lynsey says: “A decadent half milk chocolate shell, which is decorated with a bronze chocolate outer layer and sprinkles.
“The egg itself is filled with eight flavoured Belgian chocolate truffles.
“It's effectively a box of chocolates in an Easter egg! It's great value, working out around £4 per 100g of chocolate and it's nearly £20 cheaper than a similar egg from luxury brand Hotel Chocolat.
“The chocolate egg itself was creamy and smooth but a little tasteless. The truffles however were a real stand out, bringing this egg to another level.”
Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Novelty factor/appearance: 4/5
Overall score: 10/15
Morrisons The Best Loaded Milk Chocolate Half Egg (245g)
£7.50 (£3.06 per 100g)
Lynsey says: “Amongst all the loaded and flat shaped eggs on shelves this year, this one really catches the eye.
“Many are just flat eggs topped with a few tasty bits but this one is a real heavyweight treat.
“It's a proper half Easter egg shell and it's filled to bursting with gooey caramel, puffed rice, raisins, honeycomb and marshmallows and finished off with smooth dark chocolate and a trio of solid mini eggs.
“It's indulgent, rich, and delicious. Chocolate lovers rejoice as it's incredible value too, beating Aldi by nearly a £1 on the price per 100g.”
Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Novelty factor/appearance: 4/5
Overall score: 12/15
Waitrose No 1 Milk Chocolate Flat Egg (190g)
£12 (£6.32 per 100g)
Lynsey says: “Such a fabulous and intriguing design, this effect is perfectly flat and smooth.
“It's decorated with cocoa nibs and gold shimmered dark chocolate flakes and it has a slight crunch thanks to added pieces of feuilletine wafer and sea salt.
“A small, hollow chocolate egg is also incorporated in the egg and it's all made with Fairtrade cocoa. There's a blonde and biscuit and dark chocolate and nut option if you prefer.
“Not only is it a really impressive looking gift, it tastes divine too and feels very grown up.
“My only complaint is all the plastic packaging – but I can see why the manufacturer wanted to show this beauty off.”
Taste: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Novelty factor/appearance: 5/5
Overall score: 13/15
Cox and Co Dark Chocolate Easter Egg Bar (140g)
£12 for two 70g bars (£8.57 per 100g)
Lynsey says: “This egg doesn't look as appealing as some of the other varieties but I was pleasantly surprised by how thick the slab of chocolate was.
“It had a slightly powdery taste and I have had better dark chocolate options. It tasted better the more you ate. The chocolate was a bit dull in colour too, and lacking shine.
“It's a bonus that it's available on Amazon, making it really quick and easy to send and you don't need to worry that it will get smashed up in the post.
“A bit over priced though, costing £6 for a bar and the most expensive per 100g of chocolate in this test.”
Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Novelty factor/appearance: 2/5
Overall score: 6/15
M&S Scrummy Bunny Munch Loaded Egg (265g)
£12 (£4.53 per 100g)
Lynsey says: “M&S said their munch mix was now so popular, they decided to stuff it in an Easter egg – and here's the result?
“A milk chocolate half egg loaded with jellyfied eggs, jelly carrots, white chocolate and raspberry popcorn, milk chocolate pretzels and raspberry jellies.
“I wouldn't sure all this would work in one egg, but it does. The chocolate is creamy and delicious and all the added treats give it a real mix of texture and flavours.
“It's the egg of dreams. This one was gone very quickly and I'd definitely buy another.”
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Novelty factor/appearance: 5/5
Overall score: 14/15
