The holiday season in Spain doesn’t end with New Year’s—another beloved ritual awaits: the hunt for the perfect roscón for Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day). This year, the competition has reached new heights, with the country’s biggest retail chains battling for the title of best roscón. And surprisingly, the frontrunner wasn’t the one that foodies and dessert lovers expected.
All eyes are on Aldi’s roscón, priced at just €7.98 for 700 grams. Its flavor and texture have impressed tasters—an ideal balance of sweetness, a rich aroma of orange blossom water, and a light, creamy filling. It scored 9 out of 10 points. For many, this was a true revelation: the budget option outperformed even the priciest competitors.
Taste comparison
Roscones from other popular chains couldn’t match Aldi’s success. Mercadona offered its version for €9.30, but despite its appealing appearance, the flavor was unremarkable and scored just 6.4. Carrefour tried to stand out with a lower price (€6.49 for 420 grams), but its roscón was considered too plain and bland, earning only 6 points.
Lidl, on the other hand, proved the most disappointing: despite its hefty weight (750 grams) and a price of €9.49, its roscón loses freshness quickly, turning dry and unremarkable by the second day. The result was only 3 points. Dia tried to play on social responsibility by donating part of the proceeds to help children with cancer, but the taste failed to impress—7 points. The priciest was the El Corte Inglés roscón: €18 for 850 grams. Reviews were mixed—the texture was pleasant, but it didn’t measure up to Aldi’s, earning it 8.5 points.
Expert opinion
Professional pastry chefs and quality experts also took part, holding a separate blind tasting to find out which roscón deserves the title of best in 2026. In a surprise twist, Carrefour Extra roscón with natural cream took the top spot: €9.49 for 750 grams. Experts praised its well-balanced structure, rich flavor, moderate sweetness, and intense aroma. This option was named the year’s “master buy.”
Second place went to El Obrador de El Corte Inglés, and third place to Lidl, despite its low score in the people’s rating. The experts highlighted the quality of the filling and the dough, and the fact that only natural cream was used in these roscones with no cheap vegetable fats added.
Hidden ingredients
However, not all manufacturers were honest with their customers. In five out of twelve tested roscones, including Aldi, Mercadona, and several regional chains, experts found a mix of cream with vegetable fats—palm, coconut, rapeseed, and palm kernel oil. This reduced production costs, but negatively affected both taste and texture. Such practices sparked criticism among foodies and fans of traditional pastries.
Shoppers are paying more attention to the composition and quality of ingredients, not just the price. This year, many were surprised to find that even expensive roscones can include subpar components, while budget options can sometimes be a pleasant surprise.
The paradox of choice
The 2026 roscón season has shown that price does not always guarantee quality, and that expert opinions can differ from popular taste. Aldi became a genuine sensation, even though professionals favored Carrefour. El Corte Inglés, despite its high price tag, failed to convince everyone of its exclusivity. Lidl and Mercadona lagged behind, while Dia tried to stand out with a social message rather than flavor.
As a result, Spaniards enjoyed a broad assortment of roscones this season—from affordable to premium, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. But the main takeaway this year is not to blindly trust price or brand. Sometimes an unexpected contender can truly deliver a festive burst of flavor.
