CPI basket for 2025

[helli]

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) has just released their "inflation basket" for 2025.
The news headlines are all about what has changed since 2024: pulled pork in, turnkey mince out; mango in, oven ready gammon out (there doesn't seen the be any "fruit loss"); wallpaper out, cushions in.
But it is interesting to see what has been kept: crumpets (I always fancy one when I hear/see them mentioned but can't remember the last time I bought any), sponge cakes, Yorkshire puddings, chilled pot dessert, salted/roasted peanuts, meat pies, ...
OK. I have cherry picked and there is most of the expected meats: steak, sausages, ham, pork, lamb, chicken, ...

Looking at the history of the basket is also interesting
- SMASH was removed in 1987
- Cinzano was removed in 2000
- Muesli has been in the basket since 1987
- Brie was removed in 2007
- skimmed milk was removed in 2008
- salad cream was replaced by mayonnaise in 2001
- pittas were replaced by garlic bread in 2010
raspberries were added in 2018

I am not sure this is a good representation of how my shopping basket has evolved but interesting nevertheless.

 

[PhoebeC]

I didn't even know what Cinzano was, I did have to google this 🙂

 

[helli]

I didn't even know what Cinzano was, I did have to google this 🙂

My Mum will be shocked.
However, I am not - last year, my Mum asked me for a Cinzano and lemonade in a pub and the bar staff had no idea what I was talking about. I bought her a port and lemonade instead.

 

[harbottle]

Is Cinzano still a think? I remember adverts for it when I was a kid. I think my parents used to drink it!

 

[helli]

Is Cinzano still a think? I remember adverts for it when I was a kid. I think my parents used to drink it!

Yes, it is: https://www.cinzano.com/our-products/vermouth/
But I am not sure where to buy it

 

[Robin]

Yes, it is: https://www.cinzano.com/our-products/vermouth/
But I am not sure where to buy it

Our local Waitrose usually has it. Shows my age, I love Cinzano and tonic.

 

[nonethewiser]

- pittas were replaced by garlic bread in 2010
raspberries were added in 2018

Garlic bread, it's the future.

 

[nonethewiser]

I didn't even know what Cinzano was, I did have to google this 🙂

To be so young & not remember those classic Cinzano adverts starring Leonarn Rossiter & Joan Collins

 

[trophywench]

Was regarded as a 'ladies' drink, cos men drank beer. Popular funny advert years ago for Cinzano Bianco showing a middle aged bloke (Leonard Rossiter) in a DJ chatting up a lady (Lorraine Chase) 'Were you wafted here from Paradise?' he enquires, her response in strong Cockney accent, 'Nah - Luton Airport!'

Alcohol content between 15%-17% so a bit stronger than normal wine, but less than port. So, you drank it diluted with lemonade.

 

[JJay]

Was regarded as a 'ladies' drink, cos men drank beer. Popular funny advert years ago for Cinzano Bianco showing a middle aged bloke (Leonard Rossiter) in a DJ chatting up a lady (Lorraine Chase) 'Were you wafted here from Paradise?' he enquires, her response in strong Cockney accent, 'Nah - Luton Airport!'

Alcohol content between 15%-17% so a bit stronger than normal wine, but less than port. So, you drank it diluted with lemonade.

Two different ads, Jenny. Leonard Rossiter was Cinzano, Lorraine Chase was Campari (with Jeremy Clyde if I remember right).

Gosh, how sad does that make me

 

[Martin.A]

To be so young & not remember those classic Cinzano adverts starring Leonard Rossiter & Joan Collins

They're available on YouTube, if anyone wants a trip down memory lane.

 

[SimonP]

- SMASH was removed in 1987

I may well be in a minority of one here, but I rather liked both the taste and texture of SMASH.

I note they reintroduced it, or at least a thing which has the same name and packaging, but it's completely different in both dried form (powdery and flaky rather than condensed chunks of dried potato goodness) and taste (as in it tastes awful now). Apparently it's now vegan friendly, which probably explains the complete change.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I didn't even know what Cinzano was, I did have to google this 🙂

I agree. The very best thing about Cinzano was the Leonard Rossiter / Joan Collins adverts. Every time a new one came out you just waited in tingling anticipation for the spill. Absolute genius. My fave was the airplane one. “Getting your head down darling? Good idea.”

 

[PhoebeC]

I agree. The very best thing about Cinzano was the Leonard Rossiter / Joan Collins adverts. Every time a new one came out you just waited in tingling anticipation for the spill. Absolute genius. My fave was the airplane one. “Getting your head down darling? Good idea.”

I enjoyed the business deal one the most. Can't beat Joan!