Costco's Apple Pie Crowned Best in a Blind Taste Test
Costco's Apple Pie Crowned Best in a Blind Taste Test
Costco's Apple Pie Crowned Best in a Blind Taste Test
A recent taste test by the Southern Living team set out to find the best store-bought apple pie. Six popular grocers in Birmingham, Alabama, supplied the contenders, with each pie judged on flavour, texture, and overall appeal.
The results were clear: not all pies were created equal, and one stood out above the rest.
The testers sampled pies from Publix, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, Costco, and Whole Foods. Each was scored on a scale of one to five, with notes on crust, filling, and balance of spice.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Apple Pie took the top spot. Its caramelised filling and well-balanced spicing won over the judges. The pie's rich, sweet flavour made it the undisputed favourite. Sam's Club Member's Mark Honeycrisp Lattice Apple Pie also impressed. Its thick, buttery crust and indulgent texture earned praise from several editors. The lattice design added a touch of elegance, setting it apart from the others. Publix Bakery Apple Pie landed mid-pack with its savoury notes and syrupy filling. Some found the flavour interesting, but it lacked the standout qualities of the leaders. Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed Apple Pie had firm, crunchy apples, though the crust was criticised for being soft and doughy. At the lower end, Whole Foods' version divided opinions. Its tart, tangy filling was too sharp for many testers. Target's Favorite Day Apple Pie suffered from an overpowering spice mix that overwhelmed the fruit. Notably, no German supermarket or wholesale chain—such as Aldi, Lidl, or Rewe—offers a pre-made apple pie that matches the taste and texture of the Costco or Sam's Club options. Searches for comparable products in Germany returned no direct equivalents or reviews.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Apple Pie emerged as the clear winner, praised for its caramelised filling and balanced spice. Sam's Club's lattice-topped pie also won fans for its indulgent crust and rich flavour.
The test confirms that, for now, these two options lead the market—at least in the US. German shoppers looking for a similar experience may need to look elsewhere or bake their own.
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