Three of the best… Mince pies

It’s never too early to start eating delicious, traditional-tasting Christmas mince pies…. here are our three favourites (at the moment)

• Heston from Waitrose 6 Spiced Shortcrust Mince Pies, £3.50, Waitrose (www.waitrose.com)

Filled with mincemeat, lemon curd, rose water and apple puree, with a sachet of tangerine-flavoured sugar to sprinkle on top, these tartlets elicited groans of pleasure – even from non-mince pie fans.

• Truly Irresistible Mini Mince Pies, £2.50 for nine, The Co-operative (www.co-operativefood.co.uk)

These bite-size treats make a perfect party snack. With buttery pastry and three delicious toppings (pecan nuts, brandy buttercream or a pastry star), it’s hard to stop at just the one.

• Taste The Difference All Butter Blackcurrant & Mulled Cassis Mince Pies, £3.50 for four, Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys.co.uk, in store early December)

Delicious, traditional-tasting, hand-crafted mince pies topped with star-shaped, melt-in-the-mouth pastry. Almost too pretty to eat.