I tried out supermarket choc ices – the winner cost 38p each and taste just like Magnums
LURKING at the bottom of the supermarket freezer is an ice cream which first hit shops in the 1960s.
Choc Ices are a simple block of ice cream coated in chocolate – without a stick.
The first ones were manufactured by HB, an ice cream company established by the Hughes brothers at Hazelbrook Farm, Rathfarnham in 1926.
Their plan was to use up surplus cows’ milk and cream in spring and summer.
From this family run operation, the ice cream brand was born.
The HB version of the choc ice was discontinued last year with HB saying ice cream tastes ‘have moved on’.
But if you are fan, many supermarkets still have their own brand versions. But which is best?
We asked LYNSEY HOPE to find out.
Asda Milk Choc Ices
- £1.60 for 6
- 38p per 100ml
- Per choc ice: 117 calories, 7.7g fat, 7.2g sugar, 0.05g salt
These were small, but nice-tasting choc ices.
The chocolate had a lovely snap as you bit into it and the ice cream was creamy and smooth, with a clear hint of vanilla.
You used to get eight in the box for less money at Asda, so I’m not sure they are great value, but a good budget-friendly stand by treat to keep in the freezer.
Taste: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Overall score: 7/10
Sainsbury’s Milk Choc Ices
- £1.60 for 6
- 38p per 100ml
- Per choc ice: 117 calories, 7.7g fat, 7.2g sugar, 0.05g salt
Simple and cheap, these Sainsbury’s treats were my favourite of all the choc ices.
The thin layer of chocolate around the block of ice cream is delightfully crisp and moreish. It’s not luxury but they are a good price.
The kids have been lapping them up through the summer holidays and I’ve found them to be as popular as Magnum type ice creams – but much cheaper.
Taste: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Overall score: 10/10
Tesco Milk Choc Ices
- £1.60 for 6
- 38p per 100ml
- Per choc ice: 119 calories, 7.8g fat, 7.3g sugar, 0.05g salt
Lacking in flavour. The Tesco ice cream was not very creamy but bland, with only the faintest whiff of vanilla.
The chocolate was thin and bland with a slightly weird texture and not smooth as you’d expect.
My least favourite, I wouldn’t buy these again.
Taste: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Overall score: 4/10
Waitrose Essential Milk Choc Ices
- £1.70 for 6
- 40.5p per 100ml
- Per choc ice: 117calories, 7.70g fat, 7.20g sugar, 0.04g salt
There was quite a generous helping of chocolate on these choc ices, which I liked.
They were 10p more per pack than all the other brands but they did taste good and they are still value for money when compared to pricier treats.
Great to have on stand by for the summer break.
Taste: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Overall score: 9/10
Morrisons Milk Choc Ices
- £1.60 for 6
- 38p per 100ml
- Per choc ice: 117 calories, 7.7g fat, 7.2g sugar, trace of salt
The chocolate was thicker than most with a nice snap, but the ice cream was a bit watery and lacking in flavour.
I was left feeling a bit disappointed after trying these. I didn’t think they were worth the money.
Taste: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Overall score: 5/10
How to save money on chocolate
WE all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed on flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.