We tasted store-bought buttermilk rusks and found the best one – just in time for winter
It doesn’t get more South African than a buttermilk rusk!
We tasked our team with an anonymous taste test as we set out to determine which traditional chunky-style buttermilk rusk would take the tea (or coffee). Admittedly, they were all tasty and the results were close, but there was a clear champion on the day.
From overall taste and buttermilk flavour to sweetness, dunkability and crunch, we put five different brands to the Food24 Taste Test.
See the results below:
Bokomo Buttermilk Rusks: 3.5/5
Raters noted that these rusks dunked well and held their shape, making for an overall good rusk experience. It was slightly darker than the other rusks with bit more of a caramel note to it, which some said overpowered the buttermilk, noting that it comes across as more of a caramel rusk rather than buttermilk. This rusk wasn’t sweet at all, which is perfect for those who prefer their rusks less sugary.
Checkers House Brand Buttermilk Rusks: 3.4/5
These rusks delivered on the buttermilk flavour but were too sweet. Overall, a good rusk that dunked well, with a good amount of crunch and nice colour, making it perfect for a sweet-rusk lover.
Ouma Buttermilk Rusks: 3/5
Raters immediately identified the iconic buttermilk rusk flavour and taste they remember growing up with, but despite the nostalgia, they felt the rusk was too light in colour and this ultimately affected the experience. Raters noted a bitter aftertaste from baking soda, which overwhelmed the whole enjoyment and affected the scores. The rusk is otherwise well-balanced: it delivers on the buttermilk flavour, isn’t too sweet and scored well on both dunkability and crunch.
Pick n Pay No Name Brand Buttermilk Rusks: 3.6/5
Raters noted that these rusks were similar to Ouma Buttermilk Rusks, but they scored extra points because no bitter aftertaste was detected. The rusks had a nice colour to them and there was a good balance of flavours with the buttermilk flavour coming through strong. Some raters noted that the rusk really needed a really good dunking, though, so it’s not recommended for crunching!
The winner: Woolworths Buttermilk Rusks: 4.3/5
These rusks are perfectly balanced in terms of sweetness and crunch. They also dunk well, while not being too crunchy – a good rusk overall, despite being more on the subtle side where the buttermilk flavour is concerned.
The rules of Food24 Tastes:
– All tasters tasted and scored all five samples.
– The samples were tasted without packaging and were not easily identifiable.
– The samples were not labelled and were tasted in a random order.
– Each sample was rated on texture, flavour and dunk ability and crunch.
– This article is not sponsored in any way, and Food24 was not paid to come to any particular result.
Our taste tests are always unbiased and intended for your entertainment. You may, however, have come to this article through various paid-for advertising.
Both Woolies and Ouma tastes just fine, but the shape makes the world of difference.
I have not tried the other rusks so I cannot offer an opinion.
A proper way to judge :
Is the rusk easy to hold while dunking part of it in your coffee?
Ouma ? Yes
Woolies? No
How easy is it to hold while dunking a fair amount of the rusk in your coffee?
Ouma ? Very easy
Woolies? Not easy at all
How many times can you dip one rusk before the last bit is too small to work with?
Ouma? 2 or 3 times
Woolies? Once
How long do you have to dunk it before taking it out of your coffee?
Ouma? 10 seconds
Woolies? 10 years
Judge as much as you want, Ouma has the market cornered for good reasons.
Woolies at 10 bucks more 🙄
No guys, please. You cannot get a better rusk than Ouma. It’s made by an Ouma, for many many years. These others are pretenders. Your judges have never had a rusk before have they? Haha, just kidding guys, but seriously, there cannot be a better rusk than Ouma Rusks anything else is just not patriotic. 🙂
Woolies only for tenderpreneurs and the rich. Too expensive. Ouma rusks much better overall. Don’t be fooled, especially as the costs of items increases, and WW loves increasing by 150%
What about the SPAR brand Rusks?