This festive season, Australians are flocking to supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi to find the perfect ham for their Christmas celebrations. A leg of ham has long been a traditional centerpiece for holiday gatherings, but not all hams are created equal. Consumer advocacy group CHOICE recently conducted a blind tasting of 10 different hams, revealing that price does not always correlate with quality.
Coles Ham Rated the Worst
Despite offering various options, Coles was found to have the least impressive ham this year. The Coles Finest Free-Range Triple Smoked Leg Ham Portion scored a low 58% in the taste test, with poor ratings in flavor, texture, appearance, and smell. At $15.50 per kilogram, it was one of the more expensive hams tested but failed to deliver on quality.
Coles’ other offerings didn’t fare much better. The Coles Christmas Beechwood Smoked Half Leg Ham and the Woolworths Gold Triple Smoked Free Range Half Leg Ham both scored 66%, leaving them far behind the competition.
IGA Takes the Top Spot Again
Once again, IGA’s Seven Mile Premium Double Smoked Leg Ham was crowned Australia’s best ham. Experts praised the ham for its smoky aroma, moist texture, and pleasant flavor, making it the ideal choice for those seeking a delicious, high-quality Christmas ham.
Mark Serrels, CHOICE’s editorial director, emphasized that the Seven Mile ham stood out not just in taste but also in value. At just $12 per kilogram, it was cheaper than many of the other hams that scored lower. This finding underscores that price doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, with IGA’s ham delivering a better experience at a more affordable cost.
Conclusion: Best Ham for Christmas
As Christmas approaches, shoppers should consider IGA’s Seven Mile Premium Double Smoked Leg Ham as the standout choice for both quality and price. Despite the higher costs of some supermarket options, the best ham might not be the most expensive. This year’s taste test serves as a reminder to always check reviews before making your holiday purchases.
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