Lorraine Williamson
As temperatures soar across Spain, bottles of ready-made gazpacho fly off the supermarket shelves. This chilled Andalucian soup, a summer staple made from raw tomato, cucumber, pepper, garlic, onion, olive oil, vinegar, water and salt, is supposed to be refreshing, balanced, and full of flavour.
But how do supermarket versions measure up to the real deal?
To find out, Spanish news outlet El Español enlisted chef José Calleja, owner of Madrid’s acclaimed Surtopía restaurant and a native of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Cádiz. Known for his deep-rooted understanding of Andalucian cuisine, Calleja even serves his own creative twist on the dish – a “gazpachomole,” blending gazpacho with guacamole.
The contenders: Aldi, Mercadona, Dia and Alcampo
Calleja reviewed four store-brand gazpachos from some of Spain’s biggest supermarket chains: Aldi, Mercadona, Dia and Alcampo. Each was rated on taste, aroma, texture, appearance and ingredients. Prices ranged from €1.59 to €2.29 per litre.
I haven´t tried Aldi´s version, but I do love the one from Mercadona. Today, I enjoyed it over ice, but sometimes I add a little chopped cucumber and tomato as a garnish.
Aldi delivers freshness and balance
The surprise front-runner? Aldi’s gazpacho – the cheapest of the bunch at just €1.59 per litre. Calleja praised its vibrant colour and well-rounded flavour. He noted the ingredients followed the traditional recipe, with distinct notes of tomato, cucumber and pepper. The vinegar was present but not overpowering – a rare balance in bottled versions.
Mercadona scores high on colour and flavour
Coming a close second was Mercadona’s house-brand gazpacho (€1.60/litre). Though it omits onion and adds water, the soup didn’t taste diluted. Calleja highlighted its bright hue and the noticeable presence of vegetable pulp, lending it a freshness that’s often missing in mass-produced gazpacho.
Dia falls flat despite good ingredients
Despite boasting the highest vegetable content and no added water, Dia’s version (€1.69/litre) failed to impress. Calleja described the flavour as “flat,” with bell pepper dominating and an odd tang from lemon juice replacing vinegar. The result was a sour, unbalanced profile that didn’t live up to expectations.
Alcampo: pricey, but underwhelming
At €2.29 per litre, Alcampo’s offering was the most expensive – and the most disappointing. Calleja criticised its overpowering pepper flavour and faint tomato notes. Worse still, the soup had an off-putting smell reminiscent of damp cardboard. While its colour and thickness were acceptable, the overall flavour missed the mark.
Chef’s verdict: Aldi wins with Andalucian authenticity
After tasting all four, Calleja declared Aldi’s gazpacho the clear winner for both flavour and authenticity. Mercadona followed closely, offering a decent, refreshing option. Dia and Alcampo landed in joint third – or last – place. For anyone looking for the best supermarket gazpacho in Spain without breaking the bank, Aldi appears to be the top pick.
Quality is not always expensive
With soaring summer temperatures and cost-of-living concerns, ready-made gazpacho offers a quick, budget-friendly way to stay cool and nourished. Calleja’s verdict suggests that quality doesn’t always come at a high price. In fact, the most authentic taste of southern Spain may be found in the fridge aisle of your local Aldi.
The refreshing tradition of gazpacho