In the competitive world of supermarkets, it’s rare to find a product exclusive to just one retailer. However, it should come as no surprise that Aldi is expanding its offering to cover products no other store has.
This includes distinguishing itself by becoming the first supermarket to offer a new range of 40-day matured Aberdeen Angus steaks. Customers can choose from three options – Rump (£4.49, 227g), Sirloin (£5.69, 227g) and Ribeye (£5.79, 227g).
These steaks are made with Aberdeen Angus beef, promising a ‘rich, indulgent and buttery flavour that melts in the mouth’. To see if they are worth checking out, then Emma Gill of the Manchester Evening News decided to try and find them herself.
Owing to their popularity, it did take the reporter three different store trips before she could get her hands on them. For a comparison, the reporter purchased two of the new sirloins, with the total cost coming to £11.39.
One of Aldi’s usual 21-day matured sirloins, worth £3.69, was used as a comparison to see how they both differed in taste and quality. The price difference is immediately noticeable, with the 40-day matured steaks costing almost double. However, they are larger, weighing in at 227g compared to the cheaper ones at 195g.
A visual inspection reveals a clear difference in quality, with the less expensive steaks marbled with fat lines through the meat, while the pricier ones appear leaner. In terms of texture, the 21-day matured steak is chewier and tougher, whereas the 40-day matured steak is remarkably tender, delivering on its promise of a buttery flavour.
According to Aldi, these steaks undergo a meticulous process to enhance their flavour, including 25 days of dry ageing and 15 days of wet ageing, resulting in what they describe as “the ultimate taste of luxury when it comes to steak”.
“The longer the meat ages, the more intensity of flavour builds to create rich taste and exceptional tenderness,” it claims. These coveted cuts might be exclusive and slightly elusive, yet they’re deemed well worth the pursuit for discerning carnivores.
Aldi also advised that the type of steak shoppers prefer will depend on their own tastes. For example, the 40-day rump steak is perfect for those who prefer a leaner piece of meat, thanks to its “perfect balance of tenderness and texture.”
Meanwhile, the 40 day-old is “an all around delight”, being more suitable for those who prefer a more versatile, juicy flavour. Offering a “perfect balance” of lean beef to fat ratio, this steak is said to retain its leanness and tenderness.
Lastly, the 40 day-old Rib eye Steak has been declared by the supermarket chain as “one of the most tender, juicy cuts available and extremely flavoursome.” Currently, Aldi’s Specially Selected 40-Day Matured Aberdeen Angus Steaks are gracing the aisles and awaiting steak aficionados.