A sweet treat, anything but healthy (Tesco Custard Slices)

Member Name: whiteroseuk

Product:	Tesco Custard Slices
Date:	08/01/09 (163 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: delicious

Disadvantages: messy, high in fat sugar and calories

We have a strange custom where I work, that if it is your birthday you have to buy cakes for the rest of the office. I think it's strange because surely if it's your birthday, you should get gifts not have to buy things, but it is the custom and who am I to complain, it gets us lots of cakes!

One of my colleagues had his birthday so very kindly brought in some cakes, one of which I am now reviewing, Tesco's custard slices. These are found in the chilled cabinets along with the fresh cream cakes.

The pack is pale blue with a cut out section so you can see and be tempted by the delicious looking cakes inside. There are two in a pack. On the top if the pack it has tesco written in white, then 'sweet and flaky', then 'an irresistible treat' above 'custard slices' written in bold writing. The information that they have no artificial preservatives flavours or colours, is also given, along with colour coded nutritional information.

On the side of the packet is a picture of one of the slices on a plate, and on the reverse it tells us there are 2 puff pastry slices filled with custard and topped with icing.

When you open the packet there is a plastic protector around the slices, and this folds back to allow you to get one of the slices out more easily. They are flaky pastry, and so are quite fragile, and are easily broken so it is best to have a plate ready to slide the slice onto it, when you take it out of the packet. Years of experience have taught me the best way to pick them up is with your fingers either side of the pastry base, holding gently, as anywhere else will get you very messy. Be prepared to get messy, as I have never found a way of eating these that is anything other than messy. There are several ways to eat the slice, and it might be worth experimenting until you find the way most suitable for you.

1. Bite and squidge: just pick up the slice and bite into it. The top will depress, and the custard will squeeze out of the sides. You can either lick the custard before trying a second bite, or expect it to drop out if you don't. Tip: When trying this method hold a plate under the slice to catch the drips. You may need a spoon to chase the custard around the plate afterward.
2. Right way up layer by layer: take off the top layer of pastry and icing and eat that first, then lick the custard off the bottom layer, leaving the thicker base crust to eat last. You may find the last layer a bit dry and disappointing.
3. Upside down layer by layer: (my preferred way) Turn the slice over, and gently pull off the base layer, eat that, as an appetiser for the rest of the slice. You now have two alternatives. You can either lick off the custand leaving the pastry and icing layer as the final flourish, or you can eat the two together, mingling the sweetness of the icing with the smooth creamy custard. Either of these ways is delicious, and you will find plenty of melted icing on your fingers to lick off afterward.

There is no other word to describe a custard slice other than delicious. The bland taste of the flaky pastry just takes the edge off the custard filling and the icing topping, preventing them from tasting too sweet. The flavours burst onto the tongue, with sweet vanilla, and the smooth creamy texture contrasted with the flaky pastry is a perfect combination of textures in the mouth. They are not too large so as to become sickly, just the right amount for a perfect sweet treat.

Nutritional information per slice

Energy 310 kcal
Protein 3.1g
Carbohydrate 42.4g
Fat 14.2g
Salt equivalent 0.5g

Allergy advice Contains milk wheat gluten soya
Recipe no nuts
Ingredients cannot guarantee nut free
Factory no nuts


Don't even think about them if you're worried about healthy eating!

Summary: An enjoyable treat very occasionally