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Old 20-08-2016, 22:01
barbeler
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Not food related but was pretty damned close.

Why ruin the raspberry and vanilla shower gel? It used to have the most glorious fruity scent (strawberries actually, nothing like raspberry) which made your entire body smell good enough to eat (with obvious benefits).

Now somebody has totally messed it up by adding something chemical and nasty, so that it's no longer attractive at all. Why do supermarkets do these things?
I never even thought to check before, but I now know that this was an obvious copy of the Original Source version, only cheaper. Aldi has now changed the supplier, which is obviously trying to cut corners, as their version is now thoroughly nasty and not to be bought at any price. Thankfully Tesco now has the Original Source version at only £1, so I think I'll buy it up before it disappears.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:36
barbeler
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I never even thought to check before, but I now know that this was an obvious copy of the Original Source version, only cheaper. Aldi has now changed the supplier, which is obviously trying to cut corners, as their version is now thoroughly nasty and not to be bought at any price. Thankfully Tesco now has the Original Source version at only £1, so I think I'll buy it up before it disappears.
I bought the Original Source version and now I'm inclined to think it could be made by the same supplier which supplies Aldi. The bottle has suddenly changed shape (identical to Aldi's) and the smell is similar to how the Aldi version was when I first noticed it had been altered. It's not as noxious as the Aldi version has now become, but I suspect it has been altered out of all recognition (which is probably why they're trying to clear their stocks by putting it on offer). Such a shame, as the original was like aromatherapy. I still have half a bottle of the original left, which I will have to keep sniffing sparingly.
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Old 13-09-2016, 21:19
ThugAngel
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The brooklea big pots of yogurts are nice, I always buy the cherry, blueberry and strawberry ones.
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Old 13-09-2016, 21:30
barbeler
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The brooklea big pots of yogurts are nice, I always buy the cherry, blueberry and strawberry ones.
I think Aldi is being a bit crafty with those. I bought a couple, thinking it said they were Bio Pot yoghurts, but when I went back for some more it said Big Pot yoghurts. I could have sworn it said Bio the first time and it's now a source of annoyance that Aldi doesn't sell any, because unless it's live, yoghurt is really just a sugary confection.

By the way, I was in an Aldi I rarely visit and noticed a lady sniffing the vanilla & raspberry shower gel. I said, 'so you've noticed it too' and she said she'd been caught out with them. Worryingly, they were in the old-style bottle but with the horrible new smell, so neither of us bought any.
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Old 18-09-2016, 03:00
realwales
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A great addition to the shelves in my local Aldi in recent weeks has been wholewheat fusilli pasta and wholewheat spaghetti.

It's as good as any premium price wholewheat pasta you can buy at other supermarkets.

I'm also noticing that sprinkled hard cheese for pasta is now nearly always available at my local Aldi.

Previously, the lack of wholewheat pasta was one of the main reasons I didn't go to Aldi as often, because we eat it twice a week in our house.

Our household is pescetarian and we only consume chocolate and alcohol moderately.

What can't I get at Aldi that we use:

1. Cigarettes - A pack of 20 can easily last a week in our house, but they're not sold at Aldi and that's highly unlikely to change.

2. French set yoghurts - we buy a pack of six once every couple of weeks, roughly.

3. Chocolate - A big bar or a multipack, must be a big brand. I'm not keen on the Aldi version.

4. Tinned tomatoes - We're fussy about this because we appreciate good-quality pasta sauce. The best are Valfrutta, sold at Costco, and Waitrose own brand. Both are worth the money in my opinion. Maybe Aldi's brand is just as good, I haven't tested them for a few years, but they weren't up to scratch last time I tried.

The selling of wholewheat pasta has 'tilted the balance' for me. I can now get the vast majority of what we use in our house at Aldi. It's good quality and a low price. I'm only forced to pop into another supermarket for a few bits and pieces once a week, if that.

When I first started visiting Aldi in the early-mid 2000s, the products weren't anything like as good as they are now. My local store is clearly attracting more middle class shoppers and those who care about quality. I'd give it 9/10 now.
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Old 03-10-2016, 22:01
eric_the_bee
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specially selected sausage rolls: Pork, Bacon & West country cheddar....
There are 4 new SSSR, and this variety is the bomb! there are hardly any left on the shelves, always a good sign! The other varieties include a chutney version, a hog roast and a pork with chilli...
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Old 06-10-2016, 15:18
Isambard Brunel
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I've noticed a lot of small price rises creeping into Aldi since they announced their profits are down this year.

Some of them are 5-10p, but yesterday I bought their St Etienne lager and it's gone up 20p for 4 cans.

I'm expecting similar things in Lidl next. In fact, their boxed red wine has just gone from £13.29 to £14.49.

Also, Aldi have changed their 'Specially Selected' sausages yet again, and (again) the fat content has risen. They used to be 19% but have gradually crept up to 26% over the last couple of years and no longer taste as good.

Oh, and they changed suppliers of their "Specially Selected" cider, and it's slightly different. It has a sour apple note and isn't as sharp and clean as the old one. That may be an improvement if you like scrumpy. Shortly after that, they dropped the price too, so it must be a cheaper supplier. A lot of their products have changed to cheaper but not as good versions in the last couple of years. I'd rather continue paying the extra 10p on these products and keep the old recipes rather than save 10p and taste something less nice!
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Old 08-10-2016, 20:56
barbeler
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Good - the Greek-style apple and spicy cinnamon yoghurt. Brilliant in fact, but why can't Aldi source a manufacturer of live yoghurts? Surely they can't be more expensive to produce. They must think people want them, because they try to fool you with the 'big pot' description, which if you are in a hurry can be mistaken for bio pot.
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Old 08-10-2016, 22:37
Pumping Iron
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specially selected sausage rolls: Pork, Bacon & West country cheddar....
There are 4 new SSSR, and this variety is the bomb! there are hardly any left on the shelves, always a good sign! The other varieties include a chutney version, a hog roast and a pork with chilli...
I've had these before and agree they're delicious!
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Old 09-10-2016, 14:25
barbeler
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Bad - Leek & Potato soup in the plastic tubs. No evidence that they contain either leek or potato. Virtually tasteless - awful.
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Old 10-10-2016, 20:47
Isambard Brunel
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I tried their new coconut yoghurt, and won't be buying it again.

The taste was OK, though a bit weak. But they've mixed in dessicated coconut, which just acts as grit in the yoghurt - an unpleasant texture.
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Old 11-10-2016, 15:46
rumpleteazer
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I had the specially selected angus beef burgers at the weekend, so so good. Nice thick burgers that stay nice and thick once cooked.
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Old 14-10-2016, 23:52
barbeler
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If you're the kind of pervert that likes cheese that blasts your brains out, Aldi's Extra Strong Cheddar (the white version) is definitely the one for you. I've found it to be stronger than even the strength 7 one that they also sell.
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Old 18-10-2016, 19:27
rumpleteazer
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If you're the kind of pervert that likes cheese that blasts your brains out, Aldi's Extra Strong Cheddar (the white version) is definitely the one for you. I've found it to be stronger than even the strength 7 one that they also sell.
Yes, this is the best supermarket cheese out there, it's still not quite strong enough for me but it's the only one I'll buy

I've probably mentioned these before but the Aldi low fat sausages are amazing. I love sausages but I'm losing weight so unless it's for a special recipe or meal I stick to the low fat ones, Aldi's are the best I've found. I'd even say they are better than some normal sausages I've brought over the years.
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Old 19-10-2016, 10:05
rumpleteazer
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Another not food related one but the Max Strength Cold and Flu powder is fantastic, the best one I've had. I normally use Lemsip but will be using that one next time I have a cold.
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Old 23-10-2016, 15:59
katiso41
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Bad - I was told the other day by the local manager that they have permanantly stopped selling tins of Chicken in white sauce. I've been waiting to restock my cupboards and now
my favourite snack is no more. Head Office can't find the product any more either so that's it. I love this stuff, on chips, on toast, in pies . I don't like Lidl's or Princes and M & S want £3 a tin . I've not tried Sainsbury's own yet so I hope I like it. I don't understand Aldi sometimes. It was a good seller and they still sell other products from the same company(Hunters)
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Old 26-10-2016, 10:52
barbeler
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Aldi has a record of suddenly stopping popular products for no reason, or else changing the formula and ruining them.

First I remember were their Choc O Toffees; as addictive as crack but now gone.

I've already mentioned their raspberry & vanilla shower gel – once irresistible, now disgusting.

Yesterday I bought a carton of their instant custard; I don't know what on earth they've done to it but I won't be buying it again.
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Old 26-10-2016, 10:56
jonmorris
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Isn't the problem that Aldi will have a 'product' and then get someone else to make it. If it then wants to pay less, the other company might say it can't, and Aldi goes to find someone new.

This is the 'risk' with buying from Aldi, just as buying a TV branded Polaroid from Asda, when you have no idea who actually built it - and there's no consistency there whatsoever. It's just a badge thrown on something imported from China.
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Old 26-10-2016, 12:02
Isambard Brunel
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Isn't the problem that Aldi will have a 'product' and then get someone else to make it. If it then wants to pay less, the other company might say it can't, and Aldi goes to find someone new.
This is true of all own-brand goods. 'Proper' brands are also very fond of unleashing, "new and improved" recipes upon us, especially things that are full of fat and sugar. In-store bakeries are also prone to flavour changes.

The things that's most annoying about Aldi and Lidl doing it, is when they change supplier just to shave the shelf price a bit, as part of a price war where only the consumer loses. Aldi used to so nice packets of pre-cooked poppadoms, but the last time I bought them they didn't taste as nice. Then I noticed "New recipe!" on the packaging and didn't buy them since. They didn't even try to claim it was a "new & improved recipe".

But this is how they went from £1.25 to 85p. Other products change flavour just to knock 10p off the price.
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Old 26-10-2016, 12:27
jonmorris
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It's all a race to the bottom sadly. We don't necessarily notice the subtle differences until it's too late, and then it will be hard for someone to start nudging prices back up again.

What seems to be giving in supermarkets to allow prices to fall, or even just stay the same, is jobs are cut - both on the shop floor and at management level. I know people will argue that managers often just sit around and do nothing, but if you look at shops without decent management you can see how bad things can get. My local Asda is a nightmare, and I feel for staff now expected to do two or three roles, while having no support from management because half of them have been sacked - and the people at the top have little time or interest.
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Old 28-10-2016, 22:00
Paulie Walnuts
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I just used half a pack of their pancetta for the first time to make Tagliatelli Carbonara and it was absolutely delicious with no added water.

The pancetta is smoked, just fry in a little oil with a clove of garlic then add the cooked tagliatelli, 2 beaten eggs, some grated parmesan and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
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Old 29-10-2016, 01:48
confuddled
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I just used half a pack of their pancetta for the first time to make Tagliatelli Carbonara and it was absolutely delicious with no added water.

The pancetta is smoked, just fry in a little oil with a clove of garlic then add the cooked tagliatelli, 2 beaten eggs, some grated parmesan and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
cheers Delia.
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Old 29-10-2016, 15:02
Paulie Walnuts
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I just used half a pack of their pancetta for the first time to make Tagliatelli Carbonara and it was absolutely delicious with no added water.

The pancetta is smoked, just fry in a little oil with a clove of garlic then add the cooked tagliatelli, 2 beaten eggs, some grated parmesan and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
It leans more towards Antonio actually, Delia would get it wrong and put cream in:

http://www.antonio-carluccio.com/Spa...alla_Carbonara
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Old 29-10-2016, 21:13
barbeler
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My dad really loves the salmon, pasta and spinach ready-meals, although just the smell of them makes me want to puke. Just to clarify my position, the smell of just about every fish except chip shop battered cod or haddock makes me want to puke.
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Old 30-10-2016, 10:11
kellylennon18
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Bad - I was told the other day by the local manager that they have permanantly stopped selling tins of Chicken in white sauce. I've been waiting to restock my cupboards and now
my favourite snack is no more. Head Office can't find the product any more either so that's it. I love this stuff, on chips, on toast, in pies . I don't like Lidl's or Princes and M & S want £3 a tin . I've not tried Sainsbury's own yet so I hope I like it. I don't understand Aldi sometimes. It was a good seller and they still sell other products from the same company(Hunters)
I was looking for this also as our local Aldi no longer stock it, tried the tesco brand (around £1.25 if i recall)and doesn't taste any different so will probably keep buying it.
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