As M&S launches pre-poached eggs, ultra-convenience products are on the rise: from peeled garlic cloves to peeled avocado halves
From pre-boiled eggs in a pot to peeled garlic and pre-grated cheese, ultra-convenience foods are on the rise as retailers try to appeal to time-poor shoppers who want minimal effort in the kitchen.
Although these shortcuts are looked down upon by celebrity chefs (Gordon Ramsay once said he hates those who “take sneaky shortcuts to get the job done faster”), many enjoy their efficiency.
The somewhat aptly named ‘Very Lazy’ brand offers pre-sliced garlic, red peppers and ginger to speed up the cooking process, while pre-shredded cheese is a staple on supermarket shelves.
Convenience foods save time and are often used by people with disabilities, such as those with fine motor skills problems or those with arthritis.
The quick methods now appear to have been taken a step further as M&S has unveiled its ‘pre-poached eggs’, which only need a quick blast in the microwave to be perfectly runny.
M&S has unveiled the latest example of ‘convenience food’ by launching pre-poached eggs in stores
Sold in pairs for £2, the eggs are made by sealing the egg in a vacuum bag before immersing it in a water bath.
These are then cooked to a precise and consistent temperature – and this method allows them to remain liquid until reheated by the customer at home.
The art of cooking the perfect poached egg is difficult to perfect – it requires a swirl in the water and a splash of white wine vinegar just to make the eggs still look separated or vaguely suspicious.
So it’s easy to see the lure of an off-the-shelf variant, but the idea received a very mixed response online.
One social media user said: ‘That’s very lazy and very expensive for two eggs.’
Another said: ‘I’ve taught my children how to poach eggs, it’s a basic skill!’
One simply said: ‘What the hell is this.’
While convenience foods may be faster and more convenient, customers are often forced to make compromises on quality or price.
The M&S poached eggs only need two minutes in the microwave, but some say they look more like soft-boiled eggs
Pre-boiled eggs in jars are often sold as a snack in supermarket meal deals and provide a quick dose of protein. Left: M&S. Right: Pret a Manger
Social media users were divided last year after seeing peeled garlic for sale in ‘unnecessary plastic pots’ in Waitrose
Vegetarian Express stocks ready-made peeled avocado halves, ready to eat – another example of convenience food
Asda even stocks a whole pineapple, peeled and cored, sealed in a plastic jar for customers to enjoy
Some people pointed out that the eggs looked softer than the classic poached form.
The supermarket is also selling six regular free-range eggs for £1.30, meaning customers have to pay five times as much for the privilege of a ready-made egg.
Some ready-to-eat foods – such as Waitrose’s peeled garlic and Whole Foods’ pre-peeled oranges – have also suffered a backlash after their natural casings were removed and placed in plastic pots instead.
The pre-peeled oranges have now been removed from the shelves.
However, many have also praised the groceries for not only saving time but also increasing accessibility in the food industry.
People with disabilities have credited the pre-cut options with making their lives easier.
Emily Ponroy Smith, 36, from Wiltshire, told FEMAIL: ‘As a disabled person I use a lot of prepared foods, especially things like herbs and vegetables, things that need to be chopped and peeled.
The task of cutting an apple into pieces has been taken care of by Sainsbury’s
Very Lazy is a go-to brand for pre-chopped cooking ingredients such as pre-chopped garlic, ginger and red pepper
If you don’t want the hassle of chopping chillies in your dish, Waitrose has done it for you
Carrots are now available in stick form, saving consumers the hassle of chopping them up before preparing a meal
Peeling potatoes can often be a time-consuming job, but Asda sells ready-made mashed potatoes
‘I mainly use things like frozen chopped ginger, chopped vegetables, etc. due to dexterity issues and lack of strength in my hands. It certainly makes it easier for a disabled person to prepare nutritious and balanced meals.
‘It’s not perfect though, many of the ready meals come with extra packaging.’
Elsewhere, Juliet Landau Pope, a productivity coach, told FEMAIL: ‘From a time management perspective, for example, there are many benefits to pre-packed salads.
‘Think of the time, energy and effort it takes to select, wash, peel, chop and split fresh vegetables, rather than just opening a pack and throwing it into a bowl. And don’t forget the time (and water) you save by not washing the cutting board, peelers and knives.
‘For anyone (like me) with a disability that affects fine motor skills, ready-made chopped garlic or grated cheese is an absolute boon. And there is also an argument for reducing food waste.
“For example, I like to cook with ginger, but I only use very small amounts, so instead of buying a whole root and letting most of it languish in the back of the fridge, I prefer to buy frozen cubes.”
Meanwhile, companies such as HelloFresh and Gousto are offering ‘recipe boxes’ with pre-packed ingredients that contain exactly the amount needed for the recipe – with the former achieving global net sales of €7.6 billion by 2022.
Convenience foods have always been popular, but have been made more attractive by the likes of Charlie Bigham and COOK, who claim to offer a more substantial offering than the traditionally unhealthy options.