Colin the Caterpillar, a long-standing favorite at children’s parties for 35 years, has received disappointing results in a recent taste test. Despite being hailed as a “true British icon” by Marks & Spencer and endorsed by celebrities like David Beckham and Taylor Swift, Colin ranked last in a blind taste test conducted by Which?. The consumer group had 75 testers evaluate caterpillar cakes from various supermarkets based on taste, texture, aroma, and appearance.
Colin’s overall score of 64% was overshadowed by criticisms from testers, with 44% finding the sponge too dry and 40% noting a weak chocolate flavor. Furthermore, Colin was deemed the least healthy option, containing the highest levels of sugar (46.3g) and fat (21.3g) per 100g, while also being one of the priciest cakes at £9.50.
In contrast, Waitrose’s Cecil Chocolate Sponge Cake emerged as the top performer, earning a Which? Best Buy rating with a score of 78%. Despite being priced at £9.50, Cecil’s larger size and impressive chocolate shell and buttercream ratio garnered praise from 69% of the panel.
The Co-op Party Time Charlie Caterpillar Cake and Sainsbury’s Wiggles the Caterpillar Cake tied for second place with a score of 73%. While the Co-op cake was the most expensive at £9.85, its rich flavor compensated for a slightly dry sponge. Sainsbury’s offering, priced at £8.50, also received high marks.
Iceland’s Lewis and Green Caterpillar Celebration Cake, priced at £4.50, was recognized for its value, with testers appreciating its moist texture despite being smaller in size compared to other cakes in the test.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, advised consumers not to let brand reputation influence their purchasing decisions. She highlighted that alternatives like Waitrose and Iceland are providing better options in terms of taste and price compared to the original Colin cake.
Responding to the results, an M&S spokesperson emphasized Colin’s popularity and quality, noting the cake’s high chocolate content and consistent performance in taste tests. M&S highlighted that their products, including Colin cakes, are regularly tested against competitors to maintain their reputation for taste and quality.
