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We found the best Cumberland sausage in our taste test
We tried and tested 13 different types so you don't have to!
As a nation we spend over £717 million a year on bangers, and one of the most loved has to be the Cumberland. It originates from Cumbria (of course!), but is not to be mistaken for a Traditional Cumberland which must be made in the region with specific herbs, spices and meat content.
Instead, the Cumberland sausage can have unique variations, but usually contains thyme, sage, nutmeg, and mace and we were looking for a perfectly balanced taste of pepper and herbs, good quality meat and a juicy, succulent texture. Find our top-rated ones here...
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Asda Extra Special Cumberland Pork Sausages
Overall Score: 84/100
Packed with herbs and a generous amount of black pepper, testers loved this meaty offering. Salty and well-seasoned with a herby sage flavour. Ultimately juicy with a slight crispness.
BUY NOW Asda, £2.15 for 6.
Coop Outdoor Bred 6 Cumberland Sausages
Overall Score: 78/100
Juicy, succulent and well-seasoned. We loved the herby notes and kick from the pepper. A meaty texture, though some felt the skin was a touch chewy.
In-store only, £3.00 for 6.
M&S 6 Cumberland Sausages
Overall Score: 74/100
A strong peppery aroma with lots of parsley and sage. We enjoyed the herby flavour and the gentle heat from the pepper but found the pork flavour was overpowered. Juicy meat, but we struggled to chew through the skin.
In-store only, M&S, £3.20 for 6.
Waitrose Free Range Cumberland Pork Sausages
Overall Score: 71/100
A gentle pork and peppery aroma, and the sage and thyme flavours come through nicely. But it was too peppery and the meat slightly cheap tasing. The texture was good, with the skin retains a crisp bite and is filled with juicy meat.
BUY NOW Waitrose, £3.29 for 6.
Iceland Luxury 6 Cumberland Sausages
Overall Score: 71/100
A subtle yet sweet and meaty aroma with a nicely seasoned taste. Testers however found the kick from the pepper and chilli powders that lingered on the tongue far too long. Slightly oily with an overly smooth sausage meat texture.
BUY NOW Iceland, £1.50 for 6
Edwards of Conwy Cumberland Sausages
Overall Score: 71/100
A moist sausage with lots of herbs. Testers liked the slightly sweet aroma with parsley and sage adding some depth, but it was subtle overall. Black pepper gave a nice heat, but we found the flavour was overly herby and unbalanced with a too-smooth meat texture.
BUY NOW Ocado, £3.00 for 6.
Tesco 6 Cumberland Pork Sausages
Overall Score: 69/100
Gentle sweetness with a herbed, peppery aroma. We liked the quality of the sausage meat, well-seasoned and sweet with a peppery hit, however some testers found the spice overwhelming. Although very juicy, we disliked the chewy skin and oily mouthfeel.
BUY NOW Tesco, £2.50 for 6.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 6 Cumberland Sausages - The Peppery One
Overall Score: 66/100
A meaty and herby aroma, but these sadly didn’t come through enough in taste. It was overwhelmingly peppery and we disliked the chewy skin and the soft, moist meat texture.
BUY NOW Sainsbury's, £2.50 for 6.
Aldi Butchers Select 8 Cumberland Sausages
Overall Score: 66/100
Mild in smell and taste, we enjoyed the slight sweetness and gentle pepper kick but found it too bland overall with a soft texture and chewy skin.
In-store only, Aldi, £1.25 for 8.
Artisan Finnebrogue Naked Sausages Cumberland
Overall Score: 64/100
Deliciously salty in aroma with a slightly herb, speckled appearance. There is a hint of pepper and sweetness, but testers felt the poor-quality meat and dense texture reminded them of a Frankfurter sausage instead.
BUY NOW Ocado, £3.00 for 6.
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