Given the choice of toast or crumpets for breakfast I will take the latter everytime! Not just because I love them but because they are so filling and much tastier than the average slice of toast. Even as a child when my nan gave me them and long before I actually knew exactly what they were I have loved them and even now after learning how to make them I have never managed to produce anything that resembles in either look or taste of that you can buy in the shops and so much as I love baking and cooking I have decided to retire my crumpet making skills (or lack of!).

My main supermarket of choice is Tesco mainly because it is the closest supermarket to my home and I have always, as a matter of course brought Tesco own brand crumpets. They are not as good as the Warbutons or Kingsmill ones admittedly but until now I though they were pretty decent. Last week I did my main shop at Sainsburys (I had vouchers to use there) and decided to try their basic version.

The first thing I noticed was that these crumpets, although part of their Basic range actually look far more superior and much better quality than Tesco's and they are ligher in colour (no burnt looking areas) and were much plumper. They also had the same universally round shape (Tesco version always look a wee bit squashed into the wrapper). They are quite thick, just over a centimeter, possibly slightly more and fit perfectly into my toaster (a few more milimeters and it would have to be a grill job). When finished they had held their shape really well and managed to retain an almost perfect crumpet consistency, crispy on the outside and soft fluffy, spongey center. Their taste was much better as well, no burnt after taste.

Without any question these crumpets are of a much higher quality than Tescos and considering they are "basic" they are really good value for money. I for one am now a convert. In Sainsbury's a pack of eight basic crumpets is 59pence. I brought last week on promotion for two packs for £1.00.

Ingredients:
wheat flour, water, dextrose, vinegar, raising agents: sodium hydrogen carbonate, disodium diphosphate; salt, yeast, acidity regulator: glucono-delta-lactone; preservative: potassium sorbate

Nutritional (per crumpet):
calories 86, protein 2.7g, carbohydrates 18g, sugars 1.8g, starch 16.2g, fat 0.3g, saturates 0.1g, monosaturates 0.1g, polyunsaturates 0.1g, fibre 1.2g, salt 0.56g, sodium 0.22g

Other Information:
Suitable for home freezing. Contains wheat gluten