Continuing my experiment, ‘Basics Living’. Here is my third review set.
Rice Pudding can (Basics range – 19p)
This claimed to be cheaper because of less rice, but I in no way found it lacking. It’s not as creamy as some of the branded rice puddings, but a great tasting dessert none-the-less. Rice pudding is great for students, as it’s cheap and filling. I think I will be keeping a can of this in the cupboard – for a quick dessert.
Sparkling Table Water (Basics range – 17p 2L)
Bottled water as opposed to tap water has been coming under a lot of scrutiny recently. I attempt to console my habit with the fact that sparkling water doesn’t come out of the tap, and also that I always recycle the bottles. Tap is cheapest, and is just as good as some bottled water brands. This sparkling water was as good as any other, and half the price of most own brand sparkling table water.
Breakfast Juice (Basics range – 58p 1L)
This is a longlife juice mix of orange and grapefruit. While the overwhelming taste is orange, the grapefruit adds a nice sharpness. A great start to the day, and a nice cheap 5-a-day portion.
Soft Cheese (Basics range – 58p 200g)
This soft, creamy cheese spread easily stands up to any supermarket own brand soft cheese. When compared to the leading branded cream cheese product, it’s notably less creamy. I’d recommend this, especially if you’re cooking with it as you won’t need the extra creamy taste.
Wafer Thin Ham (Basics range – £1.78 400g)
In taste, this is the same as any wafer thin ham, some love it, some hate it. However, in texture, its a little too thin – its falling apart as it’s touched and is often ripped in the packet and holes in the slices. If you’re not wanting it for presentation, its lovely, but I wouldn’t call this a pretty ham. Also, I found it difficult to open the pack – it was super well sealed! I have to applaud the way the serving size is given in slices (who wants to weigh their ham portion?) and that an approximate number of slices (60) is given for the pack. A grand idea and product, so long as you only care about the taste.
Basics Toilet Roll (£1.12 for 12, or 38p for 4)
It’s just toilet tissue. No more, no less. This wasn’t as coarse as I expected it to be – its not unpleasant to the undercarriage or to blow noses with. Although, I would be dubious about continually blowing your nose with it, especially if you’ve delicate skin – I’ve been caught like this too many times. I ought to explain – if I’ve a really streaming cold, I don’t want to spend 75p on a few good facial tissues that will be gone in 15 minutes – I’d rather use cheaper toilet roll, its simple economics. I was very impressed with this product, as even BP who rarely believes in cheap decided to buy these for himself after trying mine. More than a hit – its a star!
Basics Chocolate Swiss Roll (15p roll serving 6)
Ok, firstly, I disagree on the portion size. I believe it serves 3, and only reaches 6 if all 6 are on a diet (at six portions a roll you get one 1cm slice and only 72 kcal). All that said, this is not a good product. The cake is dry, and the filling is faker than a Findus crispy pancake. Presentation isn’t good either – a top layer of cake came off in the wrapper, the underside stuck to the slicing plate, and there wasn’t a one in the shop not distorted in shape. Stick to the regular own brand as they’re still cheap at 45p-ish a roll.
