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A trio of experts have named Australia’s best supermarket ham, with one of the cheapest hocks coming out on top.
Choice consumer experts chose 10 Christmas hams available at IGA, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi and blind tested them based on taste, texture, appearance and smell.
The expert panel included home economist Fiona Mair, independent food consultant Brigid Treloar and home economist and food show judge Jan Boon, all with more than 30 years’ experience in the food industry.
Professionals discovered that there was a “dramatic” difference between certain hams and that price is not an indicator of quality.
The lowest-ranked ham scored 58 percent and cost $15.50 a kilo, while an IGA ham that cost $12 a kilo topped the test with a score of 79 percent.
IGA’s Seven Mile Premium Smoked Double Leg Ham ($12/kg) came in first place, with experts praising the food’s “dark skin, smoky aroma and pleasant, fairly balanced flavor.”
Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Triple Smoked Ham Half Leg ($13.49/kg) was close behind with a score of 76 per cent and admiration for the “nice smokiness”.
Two affordable $8/kg hams also tied for second place, with experts praising IGA’s Naturally Smoked Leg Ham Bone, which has a “pleasant saltiness that lingers” and Woolworths’ Half Leg Ham Bone, which has a “mild and pleasant ham flavor.”
Australia’s best supermarket ham has been named by a trio of experts
Two affordable hams at $8/kg also tied for second place, including Woolworths’ Half Leg Ham Bone, which has a “pleasant, mild ham flavour”.
What are the worst supermarket Christmas hams of 2024?
On the other hand, a purchase from Coles was rated the “worst” ham tested with a rating of just 58 per cent.
Coles Finest’s Free Range Triple Smoked Leg Ham portion will set you back $17.
The other two lowest-rated options are the Woolworths Gold Triple Smoked Free-Range Ham Half Ham ($15.50) and the Coles Christmas Beechwood Smoked Ham Ham ($8), both at 66 per cent.
What are the best supermarket Christmas hams of 2024?
IGA Seven Mile Premium Smoked Double Leg Ham ($12/kg)
IGA Naturally Smoked Leg Ham Bone ($8/kg)
Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Triple Smoked Half Leg Ham ($13.49/kg)
Woolworths Half Leg Ham Bone ($8/kg)