In short: Real comparison of packaged gildas from Aldi, Carrefour, Makro, Mercadona, and Lidl. Best value for money: Carrefour Selección and Mercadona premium. For events: Makro 50-count. For gifts: artisan online.
Table of contents
Analysis Methodology
We purchased packaged gildas from 5 locations: Aldi, Carrefour (basic and Selection), Makro, Mercadona Hacendado, and Lidl. We blind-tasted them (without labels) on a neutral plate, with the same group of 4 evaluators.
Criteria: price per unit, anchovy size and quality, preserving oil quality, pickled pepper quality, overall flavor (scale 1-10).
Aldi (€2.50-3.50/jar): the cheapest option
Price: €2.80/jar 12 units (≈ €0.23/unit).
Anchovy: size 2 (small), origin not specified (likely Argentine). Correct but flat flavor.
Oil: vegetable oil with olive aroma. Unpleasant notes on the palate.
Pickled pepper: industrial, unspecified. Too much vinegar.
Overall score: 5/10. For emergency appetisers.
Carrefour (basic and Selection): 2 levels
Carrefour basic (€3.50/jar): 5.5/10. Small Argentine anchovy, sunflower oil, mediocre pickled pepper.
Carrefour Selección (€6.50/jar): 7/10. Cantabrian anchovy size 1, virgin olive oil, designated pickled pepper. Substantially better than the basic.
Makro (professional format): best quality
Price: €8/jar 24 units (≈ €0.33/unit) or €12/can 50 units.
Anchovy: Cantabrian anchovy size 1 (medium), virgin olive oil.
Score: 7.5/10. The best quality-quantity ratio for an event or large appetiser spread.
Mercadona Hacendado (€2.80-4.50)
Basic version (€2.80): 5/10. Similar to Aldi but with slightly better pickled pepper.
Premium "Calidad Mercadona" version (€4.50): 6.5/10. Cantabrian anchovy, olive oil, decent pickled pepper. Good value for money.
Our final recommendation
If you're looking for a cheap improvised appetiser: Mercadona premium or Carrefour Selección.
If you're looking for an event or large appetiser spread: Makro (50-count format).
If you're looking for a gift or important occasion: none of the above. Better to get premium artisan gildas online (Bacalalo) or make them at home with real Cantabrian anchovy size 00, Gordal olives, and Ibarra piparras.
Bacalalo artisan gildas
Gildas with real Cantabrian anchovy size 00, premium Gordal olives, and authentic Ibarra piparras. The artisan version versus the industrial product.
Frequently asked questions
Are supermarket gildas bad?
Which supermarket has the best ones?
Typical price of packaged gildas?
What to look for on the label?
When is it worth buying packaged gildas?
How to "elevate" a cheap packaged gilda?
To conclude
Supermarket gildas are fine for an improvised appetiser but not for a celebration. If you're going to an important dinner or giving a gift, avoid mediocre packaged ones and opt for artisan gildas or make your own with real Cantabrian anchovies.
Premium Cantabrian anchovies
If you prefer to make your own gildas: size 00 anchovy cured for 12 months. Superior quality to any supermarket.
