Hosts putting salt first
If you want an ambient, ready-to-serve tin, compare salt per 100g rather than relying on a product name. Tesco Groceries and Ambrosia list figures from 0.10g to 0.12g per 100g for the three 400g tins compared here.
Who is choosing?
Hosts comparing sugar and fat as well
Ambrosia says its Light Devon Custard has 30% less sugar and fat than its standard Devon Custard. Its listed salt figure is 0.12g per 100g, so check each nutrient separately.
Hosts planning servings and leftovers
Pack size and stated portions help when numbers are uncertain. The Ambrosia and Tesco ready-to-serve products covered here instruct you to refrigerate unused custard after opening and consume it within three days.
What matters when buying?
For a coffee morning, compare ready-to-serve custard on the same per-100g basis, then check the portions and handling instructions for the tin you intend to serve.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt in a tin | Compare salt per 100g on current packs. Check for an explicit reduced-salt claim rather than inferring one from the number. | If keeping salt as low as possible drives my choice of tin, I need a like-for-like figure. About 36% of consumers put salt first. |
| Sugar and fat | Read sugars, fat and saturates per 100g separately from salt; check which standard product any reduction claim uses for comparison. | When choosing for guests who also care about sugar and fat, I do not want a lighter label to stand in for a salt comparison. About 22% of consumers put these other nutrition figures first. |
| Servings and leftovers | Check pack weight, stated portions and the after-opening storage instructions. | With attendance uncertain, I want enough to serve without opening more custard than I can use. For about 21% of consumers, portion planning is the primary concern. |
| Serving convenience | Check whether the custard can be served cold and follow the pack’s directions if heating it. | If preparation time is limited, I want custard that is straightforward to serve at the table. Serving convenience comes first for about 21% of consumers. |
What should you avoid?
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Reading “light” as “reduced salt”
Ambrosia says its Light Devon Custard has 30% less sugar and fat than standard Ambrosia Devon Custard, but lists 0.12g salt per 100g for Light against 0.11g for standard.
Compare salt independently and check the current pack before describing a custard as reduced salt.
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Comparing different serving sizes
Ambrosia uses a 130g portion for its 400g cans, while Tesco shows a 200g half-can portion. Those portion figures are not a common basis for comparing salt.
Compare products per 100g first, then use the intended serving amount to plan for guests.
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Heating custard in its can
The ready-to-serve tin instructions call for custard to be transferred before microwave heating. Unused custard must be refrigerated after opening and consumed within the stated three-day period.
Use a suitable microwaveable container and follow the heating and storage directions on the pack.
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Overlooking milk ingredients
The Ambrosia and Tesco custards discussed here list milk ingredients or milk allergen information.
Ask guests about allergies and keep the current packaging available so they can check the ingredient and allergen statement.
Brands to consider
Ambrosia
Ambrosia offers standard and Light Devon Custard in ready-to-serve 400g cans.
- Ambrosia lists 0.11g salt per 100g for standard Devon Custard and 0.12g for Light.
- Its Light claim concerns sugar and fat relative to standard Ambrosia Devon Custard, not a reduction in salt. Both products contain milk ingredients.
Tesco
Tesco Ready To Serve Custard is a 400g tinned option for comparing salt on the same per-100g basis.
- Tesco Groceries lists 0.10g salt per 100g.
- It also lists 3.8g fat and 2.6g saturates per 100g, and contains milk. Check those figures if salt is not your only consideration.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's Ready To Eat Lighter Custard comes in a 500g carton, an alternative if a tin is not essential.
- Sainsbury's states that the carton contains four servings.
- It lists 0.15g salt per 100g; its lighter positioning does not establish a reduced-salt claim.
Joybuy custard tins
These three Ambrosia 400g tins are ready-to-serve choices for comparing listed salt figures at a coffee morning. Check the current pack if an explicit reduced-salt claim matters to you.
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Ambrosia Strawberry Flavour Devon Custard 400g
A ready-to-serve strawberry-flavour option that can be served hot or cold at a coffee morning. The Joybuy listing states 0.10g salt per 100g. It contains milk; for microwave heating, transfer the custard from the can. Refrigerate leftovers and use within three days.
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Ambrosia Devon Custard 400g
A ready-to-serve standard Devon Custard tin for hot or cold serving. The Joybuy listing states 0.11g salt per 100g and identifies a 130g portion. It contains milk; transfer the custard before microwave heating, and refrigerate leftovers for use within three days.
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Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g
A ready-to-serve tin to consider if you are comparing fat as well as salt. The Joybuy listing states less than 3% fat and 0.12g salt per 100g; its low-fat wording is not a reduced-salt claim. It contains milk. Transfer the custard before microwave heating, and refrigerate leftovers for use within three days.
Frequently asked questions
What does “low salt” mean for these custards?
NHS inform describes 0.3g salt or less per 100g as low. Tesco Groceries and Ambrosia list 0.10g, 0.11g and 0.12g per 100g across the Tesco Ready To Serve and two Ambrosia Devon Custard 400g tins compared above. That threshold does not, by itself, make a product “reduced salt”.
Is a low salt figure the same as a reduced-salt claim?
No. A per-100g salt figure lets you compare products, while “reduced salt” is a separate claim to check on the current pack or product page. Do not infer it from “light” or “low fat” wording.
Can I microwave tinned custard in the can?
No. Transfer ready-to-serve custard to a suitable microwaveable container before heating, and follow the directions on its pack.
What should I do with custard left after the coffee morning?
The Ambrosia and Tesco products discussed here instruct you to refrigerate unused custard after opening and consume it within three days. Check the storage directions on the tin you serve.
Can guests with a milk allergy have these custards?
The Ambrosia and Tesco custards discussed here contain milk or list it in their allergen information, so do not assume they are suitable for a guest with a milk allergy. Check the current ingredient and allergen statement for every product you serve.