Jury · Christmas with friends · Blind taste test
Mince pie taste test
Is the expensive mince pie really better than the supermarket one? Does homemade always win? Line them up on numbered plates, rate them blind and find out.
- Mince pies
- Four to six kinds
- Per person
- A quarter or half of each
- Serve
- All warmed the same way
Updated
How to do it
Buy or bake four to six kinds.
Mix price points, and include a homemade batch if someone bakes.
Hide the boxes.
One person cuts the pies into equal pieces and puts them on identical plates with numbers.
Warm them the same way.
All warm or all at room temperature. A warm pie beats a cold one every time.
Rate each pie as a round.
Everyone gives scores from 1 to 10 without a word, then you move on.
Reveal and unbox.
Turn the cards, then show the boxes in order of score. Save the prices until last.
Criteria for mince pies
Want to test whether anyone can recognise the brand? Ask everyone to write their guess in the comment on each round, and compare at the reveal.
Good to know
- Cut each pie into quarters, so a group of eight only needs two of each.
- Serve with nothing on the side. Cream and brandy butter can be their own round afterwards.
- Keep water or tea on the table between rounds.
- Do it every year and see whether last year’s winner still holds up.
Questions and answers
How many mince pies do we need?
Cut into quarters, two pies of each kind are enough for eight people.
Should we warm them?
Either way, as long as every pie is served the same way.
Can we test other Christmas treats too?
Yes. The same method works for Christmas pudding, stollen or chocolates.
More from christmas with friends
Ready for the first round?
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