Colin the Caterpillar, a long-time favorite at children’s parties for 35 years, faced disappointment in a recent taste test. Despite being hailed as a British icon by Marks & Spencer and a celebrity favorite among stars like David Beckham and Taylor Swift, Colin scored poorly in a blind taste test conducted by consumer group Which?.
During the taste test, where 75 individuals evaluated chocolate logs from various supermarkets, Colin’s handcrafted creation received an overall score of 64%, landing at the bottom of the rankings. Criticisms included the sponge being labeled as “too dry” by 44% of testers and complaints about the chocolate flavor being “too weak” from 40% of participants.
Furthermore, Colin was deemed the least healthy option due to its high sugar (46.3g) and fat (21.3g) content per 100g, with a price tag of £9.50. In contrast, Waitrose’s Cecil Chocolate Sponge Cake, priced at the same level, scored the highest at 78% and was praised for its rich flavor and larger size, making it a more cost-effective choice.
Other notable entries included the Co-op Party Time Charlie Caterpillar Cake and Sainsbury’s Wiggles the Caterpillar Cake, both receiving a joint second place with scores of 73%. Iceland’s Lewis and Green Caterpillar Celebration Cake, priced at £4.50, was recognized for its moist texture despite being the smallest cake tested.
Natalie Hitchins, the Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, advised consumers not to be swayed by brand reputation when selecting a caterpillar cake. While M&S defended Colin as the UK’s top caterpillar cake, boasting high-quality ingredients and top-tier taste, the test results suggest that competitors like Waitrose and Iceland offer better alternatives in terms of taste and value.
M&S emphasized that Colin remains a popular choice, with over a million sold annually, and highlighted its commitment to high-quality production standards and taste testing to ensure customer satisfaction.
