TESCO VALUE PORRIDGE OATS

90 cents for 1kg

At the oat-set (sorry, sorry) this had us conflicted. We wondered if something that cost about half as much as its main rivals could really deliver anything we'd be happy to start our day with – and our experience of the Tesco Value ranges in the past has been less than stellar. Imagine our surprise when we realised that this is fine. To be super fussy, we could point out that it has a slightly less oaty texture than some of the higher-priced rivals, but the difference is marginal. It is not Irish, although Tesco does sell an equally cheap option made with Irish oats. It is, by any measure, excellent value.

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Verdict: Very good value.

Star rating: *****

FLAHAVAN’S PROGRESS OATLETS

€2.75 for 1.5kg, €1.83 per kg

For the sake of disclosure, we should say that we have long been a fan of this quintessentially Irish product, and this is the one we would automatically reach for on our supermarket shelves. The oats have a nice firm texture and actually taste ever so slightly oaty (many similar products are almost entirely devoid of flavour). We can’t fault it in terms of quality, and we like the fact that it is Irish. While it is not dear, it is substantially dearer than the cheapest porridge on the market, and it has to lose a star for that.

Verdict: An old favourite.

Star rating: ****

QUAKER OAT SO SIMPLE

€3.99 for 324g, €12.31 per kg

The Quaker people might think this is “oat so simple”, but it is not as simple as simple oats. It is one of a growing number of porridges in sachets that can be microwaved. Surely most people have time to have breakfast at home and can find a pot to make it in? It tastes perfectly pleasant and comes with lecithin to stop the milk boiling over. We have no problem with the added lecithin, but we prefer our oats to contains just oats. Of much greater concern is the price. It is more than 12 times dearer than the Tesco option.

Verdict: Way too dear.

Star rating: **

ODLUMS TRIUMPH OAT FLAKES

€2.79 for 1.5kg, €1.83 per kg

These Triumph oat flakes are exactly the same price as the Progress ones from Flahavan’s (what’s with the kind of ridiculous names, porridge people?) and it is hard to separate the two products in terms of taste or texture. They are both made with Irish oats. So, all things are equal then. If we saw the two products side by side on our supermarket shelves we would probably go with the Flahavan’s, but that is more out of habit than any strong preference.

Verdict: A new favourite.

Star rating: ****