Caterpillar Cakes Face-Off: Who Reigns Supreme?

Marks & Spencer's iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake, now 36 years old, remains a bestseller with over a million units sold annually, becoming a staple for generations. This popularity has spurred other supermarkets, including Lidl with its Cooper cake and Aldi with Cuthbert, to introduce their own versions, occasionally leading to legal challenges and settlements over trademark infringement.

A recent taste test, conducted alongside a member of the 'Colin generation,' evaluated ten different caterpillar cakes. A critical factor for the tasters was the presence of a chocolate face, considered the prize portion. Despite the celebratory nature of these cakes, the analysis found that all options, even those from premium retailers, fall into the ultra-processed food category, containing emulsifiers, palm fat, colorings, and preservatives.

The tasting process involved anonymized cakes assessed for appearance and then taste. Particular attention was paid to the chocolate feet and face to determine which cake offered the most generous chocolate elements. The findings aim to guide consumers in choosing the most celebration-worthy caterpillar cake among the available options.