Tastes like scented candle: the best (and worst) supermarket chocolate truffles, tasted and rated
A truly good chocolate truffle should feature a finely tempered shell that delivers a crisp, satisfying snap, yielding to a ganache that melts luxuriously on the tongue. If the shell doesn’t snap, a classic bitter dusting of cocoa on the outside can still do the job. Truffles come in countless variations, but their essence remains simple: chocolate and cream. That makes the quality of both components non-negotiable.
Dark chocolate should be in the 60–70% cocoa range to add complexity and depth without bitterness. The ganache needs a proper cream-to-chocolate ratio so it’s smooth, rich, and just soft enough to dissolve in the mouth. Additional elements like salt, liqueur, citrus, coffee, or spices must not overpower the chocolate. Regardless of how the finish looks—cocoa powder, toasted nuts, coconut, or a glossy shell—the finish should enhance, not compete with, the ganache inside.
The top supermarket chocolate truffles
Best overall/best value:
M&S Swiss truffle assortment
£12.50 for 665g at Ocado (£1.88/100g)
★★★★☆
The shell is slightly thick, but the chocolate quality is solid, and the box offers a good mix of milk, hazelnut, blond, and dark varieties. At £12.50, it may seem pricey, yet the quantity makes this one of the best value options in the whole test.
And the rest …
Monty Bojangles signature choccy scoffy chocolatey truffles
£4.50 for 135g at Tesco (£3.33/100g)
£4.50 for 135g at Sainsbury’s (£3.33/100g)
★★★★☆
While not precisely bean-to-bar couverture, these truffles deliver a strong cocoa flavor—dark and earthy—balanced by a smooth sweetness.
Tesco Finest salted caramel truffles
£5 for 140g at Tesco (£3.57/100g)
★★★☆☆
The chocolate itself is decent, and the salted caramel filling is well balanced. The box presentation is attractive and would make a nice gift.
Waitrose No 1 Fairtrade orange and hazelnut truffles
£7.50 for 120g at Waitrose (£6.25/100g)
★★★☆☆
The chocolate quality is solid, but the orange oil flavor is very strong and tends to overpower the hazelnut praline.
Asda Exceptional caramelised biscuit truffles
£2 for 160g at Asda (£1.25/100g)
★★★☆☆
More biscuit-forward than chocolatey, these are easy to eat and enjoyable, though perhaps a touch too sweet.
Morrisons the Best marc de champagne truffles
£5 for 135g at Morrisons (£3.70/100g)
★★☆☆☆
The filling has a scent-like note reminiscent of scented candles, which overpowers the chocolate.
Co-op Irresistible Belgian chocolate flaked truffles
£4.25 for 160g at Co-op (£2.66/100g)
★★☆☆☆
Not chocolatey enough for some, and a touch too sweet for others.
Aldi Specially Selected reindeer nose truffles
£3.99 for 93g at Aldi (£4.29/100g)
★★☆☆☆
The berry flavor can come across as artificial; these may appeal more to younger tasters.
Lidl Deluxe vanilla truffles
£3.99 for 200g at Lidl (£2/100g)
★★☆☆☆
Artificial vanilla flavor lingers and detracts from the chocolate experience.
Sainsbury’s Free From salted caramel chocolate truffle
£5 for 120g at Sainsbury’s (£4.17/100g)
★☆☆☆☆
A waxy texture and a tendency not to melt in the mouth characterize these, along with an artificial-tasting salted caramel flavor.
Notes
- This summary captures the overall impressions of each product, focusing on the balance between shell, ganache, and finish, as well as value considerations.
- If you’d like, I can tailor this rewrite to a specific audience (e.g., gift buyers, casual shoppers, or chocolate enthusiasts) or adjust the tone to be more formal or more playful.
