Phil Reviews Mince Pies

My first festive pie review of 2024.

Here we have paper bag, showing two golden pies just waiting for you to eat them. Not a lot to say other than that, but they’re certainly not pretentious.

He’res the back of the bag as well. Luckily the price is here, because ASDA don’t add details to their ‘mince pies’ (this is what the receipt acknowledges this as) or their sandwiches.

Opening the bag, you’re welcomed by the scent of ginger nut biscuits. As if you’ve just opened a pack of them.

Ooh, and they’re deep too. perhaps an inch deep, not including the top. There’s a crumbled biscuit topping and some sort of pastry cap underneath so that the filling doesn’t get dry perhaps? talking of dry, the base of the pie is a bit damp.

I just explained that the topping was crumbly, but i still tipped my pie away so that i could take a big bit.. and introduced my table to all the crumbs.

The description says there’s a spiced pear and date filling. I am not a fan unfortunately. it’s smooth and sweet, but pear and date isn’t a strong enough flavour to be more than just sweet. I think these are missing a citrus element to cut through the sweetness.

I will say that the ginger pastry is warming and delicious. This casing would be PERFECT with Mincemeat, i’ve no doubt about that! Even some raisins for extra texture would help.