I COULD barely contain my excitement as I headed in the doors of the Asda Christmas showcase.
Despite it being a sunny September afternoon, I was invited to try all the goodies the supermarket plans to stock over the festive period.
Asda is rolling out over 500 products over Christmas
The Toffee Apple mince pies were a brand new addiotn to the range
Asda will also sell a melt in the middle pork pie camembert
Asda‘s Christmas range is set to make way into its 1,000 plus stores across the UK over the next two weeks, giving customers a chance to get a head start ahead of the big day.
Some of the prices have not been finalised.
In the days leading up to the event, there was one festive treat on my mind and that was mince pies.
Nothing screams Christmas like devouring an unhealthy amount of the buttery pastry, so I knew I needed to try out Asda’s latest range as a first point of call.
I was very pleased to hear that the supermarket will stock seven different types of mince pies over the holidays, including its Brown Butter & Rum Mince Pies which are making a return from last year.
But its brand new Toffee Apple Spiced Mince Pie was a stand out for me.
The snack has the traditional cinnamon taste you expect from a mince pie but is filled with a gooey toffee apple centre.
It will form part of Asda’s ‘Expectational’ range, which will be slightly more pricey than other goods the retailer stocks.
Tampering with a classic is a bold move, but the flavours work well together and it was my favourite product by far.
For those looking to play it safe, don’t worry Asda will, of course, also be stocking traditional mice pies.
Another star of the show was its camembert pork pie, also part of the grocer’s premium range.
This delight combines a blend of seasoned British pork, smoked bacon and gammon, with a creamy Camembert centre that oozes when cut.
When it lands in store it will cost £9.
If you are like me and struggle in the kitchen, I think producing one of these from the oven over Christmas would be a stress-free way to impress guests.
Charcuterie boards have been all the rage this year, so I was excited to see that Asda was planning to sell one with a festive twist.
The store will sell an easy-to-assemble, DIY wreath with Italian Milano Salami, prosciutto, Manchego Cheese triangles, mini pickled cornichons and sweet red pepper drops.
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I think this would be a really nice touch to any Christmas table not only to look at but to eat as well.
Asda will roll out over 500 products over Christmas, but of course the main event is the Turkey.
Its premium heritage slate turkey is free-range and was reared in Norfolk, it will cost £25 per kilo when it eventually lands in store.
Christmas on a budget
Asda said its focus this Christmas was offering customers “amazing taste at excellent value”.
When it comes to its wine and cheese selection the store definitely lived up to the promise.
I tried a glass of its Asda Extra Special Soave Superiore, which is a white wine, and was completely blown away.
If you enjoy Pinot Grigio then this could be one for you, it is quite sweet but also not too overpowering.
A bottle costs just £6 but you could easily trick guests into thinking you paid a far higher price.
Moving on too cheese and the stand out for me was its large Vintage Cheese Fondu which costs £7.
Asda sells these at a smaller size all year round but they have made a large dish for sharing over Christmas.
This was really indulgent and paired with a glass of the Soave, you could have a cheap night in with a partner or friend over the holidays.
Asda isn’t the only retailer to have launched its festive range.
We recently reviewed everything Tesco is planning to stock over the holiday’s.
If you want to see what M&S will sell over Christmas you can also check that out here