The crumpet is a true British staple and a winter comfort food that can really lift your spirits on a dreary January day. And Warburtons' offering is possibly one of the most recognisable, with its crisp outer texture and feathery fluffiness inside.
But Waitrose recently announced it was removing all Warburtons products from its shelves, reports the Mirror. The supermarket giant claimed the 'performance' of its baked goods 'didn't meet expectations'.
The supermarket said sales of crumpets at Waitrose dropped by 15% over the last year. In comparison, the wider crumpet market saw a 10% uplift during the same time frame.
In response to Waitrose's decision, Warburtons hit back, arguing that 'quality is paramount' to the brand. They added: "We know that consumers recognise the quality, and value of our products and that is why we are the number one bakery brand in the UK."
The Mirror's Julia Banim agrees with Warburton's take. A fan of the Bolton-based baker, Julia said she always felt the firm's offering was a bench mark for all other crumpets to meet.
Naturally, it meant she had to pit the two against each other in a head-to-head to find out which crumpet would reign supreme. Having never tried anything from the Waitrose bakery section before, this is how Julia got on.
Warburtons Crumpets - pack of six for 85p at Sainsbury's - 10/10
As ever with Warburtons, the crust of the crumpet crisped up nicely, offering a satisfying, distinctive crunch. The innards were blissfully airy, with a moreish spongy texture that didn't feel too doughy or overly yeasty. Best of all, the soft, porous craters pooled with butter, which trickled right the way through to the firm base. Heaven.
Warburtons' crumpets don't have a particularly strong flavour, but I personally wouldn't add a thing. The light bready notes are incredibly comforting and make for a solid base for pretty much any topping under the sun. A strong 10/10 from me.
Waitrose Sourdough Crumpets - pack of six for £1.55 at Waitrose - 7/10
These crumpets have received rave reviews on the Waitrose website, with shoppers praising their freshness and firmness. I was excited to try one for myself.
After toasting a crumpet for the recommended two minutes, plus a little extra, I was struck by the fact that, although the crumpet was lovely and warm, it didn't have the signature crunch on top that for me really makes or breaks the crumpet eating experience.
As a sourdough crumpet, the inside was also much denser than the Warburtons' offering. This feature, paired with the smaller craters, meant the melted butter wasn't dispersed around the honeycomb structure quite so evenly. For the most part, the butter remained glistening on top.
This aside, I was struck by the interesting and quite pleasant sourdough taste. I feel it would have matched wonderfully with a sharp raspberry jam.
The verdict
Overall, I'd have to say that the Warburtons crumpet was by far the champion here, with every aspect tailor-made for a spirit-lifting crumpet experience. From the fresh taste to the incomparable mingling of textures, Warburtons truly is the King of Crumpets, and I will be dismayed if there ever comes a day when I can't pick up a packet at my local supermarket.
The Waitrose crumpet was certainly tasty, and I would try it again, but it just didn't have the sort of comforting mouthfeel I've come to expect from a crumpet. It also had a slightly powdery baking soda aftertaste that wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea.
