‘Better and cheaper’: Aldi dupe sparks social media frenzy over chocolate bar classic

Increasing price and shrinking size has consumers of this classic caramel bar debating whether there is a superior alterative to the Aussie favourite.

An avid chocolate lover has sparked online debate after suggesting an Aldi dupe is superior to its popular Mars-branded counterpart.

A member of Facebook group Old Shops Australia has compared the iconic Mars bar with Aldi’s Titan replica, crunching numbers, taste-testing, and analysing each chocolate bar down to the texture.

After his detailed analysis, the lead research of the investigation Chris Ho declared Aldi’s version of the Aussie favourite was better in “quality and value”.

Mr Ho detailed his investigation to the group’s members, sharing how he reached his conclusion.

“Our special Old Shops Consumer Investigation reveals the shrinkflated Mars bar is 22 per cent smaller than Aldi’s knock-off Titan Bar and, when not on special, costs over twice as much as the Aldi version,” he said.

Mars bar consumers pay up to $5.00 for a 192g pack of 12, which is double the price of Aldi’s equivalent, priced at $2.29 for 216g.

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The dedicated chocolate-lover crunched the numbers. Picture: Facebook / Chris Ho - Old Shops Australia

Other Facebook users admitted to already having made the switch. Picture: Facebook / Chris Ho – Old Shops Australia

The revelation has sent lovers of the caramel-infused Mars bar into a spin on social media, with some vowing to give the Aldi equivalent a try.

“Wow great find … I’ll definitely be buying Titan bars rather than Mars bars from now on,” said one user willing to make the change.

“Titan Bar tastes better and heaps cheaper,” said another.

“Love the Aldi ones! And the Aldi version of Milky Way!” another user said.

But not all were satisfied with the opinion and refused to be seen as Mars bar traitors.

“Come on seriously, Titan better than a Mars bar? I’m guessing you haven’t actually tried a Titan … I’ll take a good old Mars bar any day, price and all! Totally worth it,” another user rebutted.

“Bought a Titan bar the other week, hadn’t had one in years. It’s like eating grainy sugar … it’s horrible! They used to be very nice,” a Mars loyalist replied.

Meanwhile, one user posed the ultimate question, referencing the more well-known chocolate bar’s famous slogan: “But will a Titan Bar help you work, rest and play?”

Chocolate lovers are raving about Aldi's Mars bar alternative. Picture: Woolworths, Aldi

It wouldn’t be the first time some Mars fans have made the switch to a different caramel-flavoured alternative, some feeling “let down” by the treat after it shrunk in size.

In May 2009, Mars bars decreased from 60g to 53g in Australia, before reducing in size again to 47g in July 2021.

Some former fans admitted to already having made the switch, sharing their experiences on the Old Shops Australia page.

“Bit disappointed when I unwrapped one recently and it wasn’t as big and veiny as they used to be,” said one Mars bar fan.

“Yes the Mars bar used to be soft with generous amounts of caramel – now (it has) become chewable, less caramel and I end up coughing from the burning sensation of chocolate going down my throat,” another disappointed follower added.

The Titan isn’t the only chocolate “knock-off” Aldi has recreated, with its Dreemy bar a replica of Milky Way, its Double Time is a dupe of Kit Kat and Romeo very similar to a Bounty.

Mars’ Peanut and Original M&M’s also have an Aldi equivalent in the discount supermarket’s Munchers products.