Food and Drink Recommendations
Read reviews of our products below.
Our Truly Irresistible Christmas Pudding
Our Truly Irresistible Christmas Pudding (454g) has topped a Christmas taste test in Candis magazine. Our Truly Irresistible Fully Iced Luxury Christmas Cake has also been 'highly commended' in the same Christmas taste test feature.
Co-operative Fairtrade Fruit Christmas Pudding
Co-operative Fairtrade Fruit Christmas Pudding, 454g, has been featured in Zest magazine (Dec issue) in its "10 on Test" for Christmas Puddings, Cakes & Pies.
Zest magazine is a health/fitness/lifestyle magazine, so has concentrated more on the nutritional info etc.
There's enough dried fruit in this to count as a fruit portion. There's also a higher proportion of raisins than in many other puds, which makes it slightly higher in iron - one portion supplies 7% of your RDA. With 60% Fairtrade ingredients, this is a good choice for an ethical Christmas.
- Zest magazine
Truly Irresistible Mini Mince Pies
Take a Break magazine has given our Truly Irresistible Mini Mince Pies 9 out of 10 in the 'Grumps Family Taste Test' feature:
There's a good choice of flavours and they are extremely nice, but the nuts on top just don't stay put
- Take a Break magazine
They are just the right size to give to Santa when he visits
- Take a Break magazine
I liked the fruity filling, can I have one in my lunchbox?
- Take a Break magazine
Co-operative Truly Irresistible Organic Mince Pie Tarts
Our Co-operative Truly Irresistible Organic Mince Pie Tarts have made it into the December issue of BBC Good Food magazine’s Top 30 Christmas Buys.
Great Idea Dessert – Dessert-sized open pies of buttery pastry and textured mincemeat with a good balance of fruit and spice. Serve warm with a dollop of lightly whipped cream
- BBC Good Food Magazine
Co-operative Truly Irresistible Mince Pies
Woman & Home magazine (December issue) has included a few of our products in its 'Taste the Best' feature. Our Truly Irresistible mince pies were highlighted in the mince pies section (only three lots of mince pies were included from the many tasted).
Very good pastry, nice and buttery – and great value
- Woman & Home magazine (December issue)
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Co-operative Truly Irresistible Pork, Apricot & Branding Stuffing Balls
The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Pork, Apricot & Branding Stuffing Balls were featured in Essential Magazine’s Christmas food Special, as a "Cheat's buy".
They go wonderfully with the turkey
- Essential Magazine's Christmas food Special
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Co-operative Let’s Party Oriental Prawn Selection & Sweet Chilli dip
In Essentials magazine (December issue) our Co-op Let’s Party Oriental Prawn Selection & Sweet Chilli dip was flagged up in the ‘Great Christmas Taste Test’ in the Party Packs selection.
The prawns are so succulent. Wow, the dipping sauce is hot, but very good
(4 stars)
- Essentials magazine (December issue)
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Co-operative Ready to Serve Custard
In Essentials magazine (December issue), our Co-op Ready to Serve Custard topped its section, gaining five stars!
Odd colour, but very yummy. Just like homemade without the fuss of making it. I like it cold from the tin.
- In Essentials magazine (December issue)
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And The Co-operative Fairtrade Christmas Pudding was chosen as one of the top five out of the 30 tested.
Nothing fancy, just a really well-balanced pud. And it’s Fairtrade
- Woman & Home magazine (December issue)
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The Co-operative Mini Thai Fish Bites and Truly Irresistible Cheese Stuffed Red Peppadews
Woman & Home magazine December issue) has included a few of our products in its 'Taste the Best' feature. The Co-operative’s Mini Thai Fish Bites and Truly Irresistible Cheese Stuffed Red Peppadews were flagged up in the Party Food & Canapes section. The comments were:
Fish Cakes – 'Everyone loves a Thai fish cake and these bite-sized versions are very good'. Peppadews – 'A great veggie nibble with tonnes of flavour.'
- Woman & Home magazine December issue
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Nathalie & Co Syrah-Carignan, France 2006 Wine
In Woman & Home's Easy Entertaining pull-out, one of our wines has been selected in the 'Pick your Perfect Wine' section. Guy Woodward from Decanter has decided that our Nathalie & Co Syrah-Carignan, France 2006 is the Best Red for Parties.
'The south is undoubtedly the most exciting area for winemaking in France today. This read has ripe, red fruit and a hint of wild berries and spice – idea for any festivities.'
- Woman & Home's Easy Entertaining pull-out
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Fairtrade Wines
And in the Fairtrade Wine Committee’s annual wine tasting event:
Co-op Fairtrade Cape Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
was voted Best South African White
Co-op Fairtrade Argentine Torrontes Chardonnay
was voted Best Argentine Wine
Co-op Fairtrade Chilean Carmenère
was voted Best Overall Red and Best Chilean Red
Co-op Truly Irresistible Luxury All Butter Mince Pies
Good news, Co-op Truly Irresistible Luxury All Butter Mince Pies have come second overall in a taste test by consumer magazine, Which? The results have been included in a number of today's national newspapers/websites, including The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and Reuters. Our product was only beaten by M&S, whose mince pies are 70p more expensive.
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Co-op Fairtrade Chocolate Tarte
Also, Co-op Fairtrade Chocolate Tarte, 470g, has been included in Bella magazine (25 Nov issue) as an alternative to Christmas Pudding:
Something Different
'If you're not a fan of Christmas pudding, serve up a warm slice of this rich and ultra-chocolatey treat instead.'
- Bella magazine (25 Nov issue)
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Woman's Own magazine's Christmas food best buys feature
Several of our products have been included in Woman's Own magazine's Christmas food best buys feature (8 Dec issue):
Smoked Salmon - Co-op Truly Irresistible Farmed Scottish Salmon.
'Hand trimmed so you can separate slices easily. Nice colour and just the right amount of smokiness.'
Turkey - Co-op British Free Range Turkey Breast Joint with Free Range Pork, Cranberry & Apple Stuffing, 1kg.
'The perfect size if you're cooking for four people or less. The meat is very moist and the stuffing is lovely - the tart cranberries cut through the richness of the pork. Absolutely delicious!'
Mince Pies - Co-op Truly Irresistible Luxury All Butter Mince Pies.
'The pastry is perfect, nice and thin and melt in the mouth buttery. There's a generous amount of filling and just a hint of brandy. Dust with icing sugar and pass them off as home-made!'
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Other Recommendations
In a special one-off magazine, called The Christmas Magazine, edited by Sarah Giles, who also edits BBC Easy Cook, the following products were singled out for praise:
Peppadew Peppers taste wonderful with cream cheese, Truly Irresistible Cheese-Stuffed Peppadew Peppers, Co-op
- The Christmas Magazine
You can't go wrong with smoked salmon - use it, with a little soured cream, to top these delicious blinis. Pack of 12 blinis, Co-op
- The Christmas Magazine
Best wine to go with starters - A smooth, full-bodied white wine that would suit most starters, from prawns and salmon to a rich soup. Chablis, Co-op
- The Christmas Magazine
Available in selected Midlands Co-op stores. Find your local stores with our store finder.