Value for money: Prawns

The king of the kings

Several years ago Tesco looked at the shelves of fresh prawns in M&S and decided it would have a bit of that action. In the early days, it struggled to match its more upmarket rival, but in recent times the chain has upped its game, and while its crustaceans may not be as nice, they are close and a whole lot cheaper. These plain king prawns have a nice meaty texture, a pleasing saltiness, and are of a good size, too. We’d highly recommend them. Verdict: Prawn starStar rating: *****

Mon Jun 10 2013 - 14:45

0 of 3

For generations, M&S has been the king of prawns. Had we reviewed its unadorned prawns, they would have finished on top of the pile – in taste terms if not price – but these value added ones are better again. They have a lovely texture, taste gorgeous and work well on salads, pastas or just eaten directly out of the packet. We are assured they come from sustainable farms in Honduras, which is good as some prawn farming practices are very dodgy. But at €5.99 a pack, the price is horrendous. We did get them on a three for €14 special, though, which makes them better value. Verdict: Prawn again Star rating: ***

We sourced our fresh prawns in Kish Fish in Smithfield and they were very good indeed. They have the best texture, the best taste and are the cheapest option by a long way. There are, however, some downsides. You have to shell them. You have to cook them. And you have to de-vein them. Now, there are many occasions when it is worth doing all these things, but that time is not when you come home from work, late, tired and hungry, and want something quick and easy to eat. And while €14 a kilo seems cheap, that also covers the weight of the head and shell and other bits that you’re not going to eat. Verdict: Um, prawn crackedStar rating: ****

For generations, M&S has been the king of prawns.
I, and it has kept expanding its range and in recent years and now sells all manner of the things.
Had we reviewed its
their
unadorned prawns, they would have finished on top of the pile
–
in taste terms if not price
–
but these value added ones are better again. They have a lovely texture,
and
taste gorgeous and work well on salads, pastas or just eaten directly out of the packet. We are assured they come from sustainable farms in Honduras, which is good as some prawn farming practices are very dodgy. But at ¤5.99 a pack, the price is horrendous. We did get them on a three
3
for ¤14 special, though, which makes them
much
better value.

Verdict: Prawn again

Star rating: *** — For generations, M&S has been the king of prawns. I, and it has kept expanding its range and in recent years and now sells all manner of the things. Had we reviewed its their unadorned prawns, they would have finished on top of the pile – in taste terms if not price – but these value added ones are better again. They have a lovely texture, and taste gorgeous and work well on salads, pastas or just eaten directly out of the packet. We are assured they come from sustainable farms in Honduras, which is good as some prawn farming practices are very dodgy. But at ¤5.99 a pack, the price is horrendous. We did get them on a three 3 for ¤14 special, though, which makes them much better value. Verdict: Prawn again Star rating: ***

Conor Pope

Conor Pope

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor

Chilli Prawns Marks and Spencer Tesco

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