With its smiley chocolate face, feet, and swirls, the beloved caterpillar cake is a British classic – and a mainstay at birthday parties, no matter your age.
Though originally developed by M&S in 1990, plenty of supermarkets have now introduced their own rival versions to our friend Colin, with Tesco’s Curly and Fuzzy caterpillar cakes, Sainsbury’s Wiggles, and Morrisons’ aptly named Morris.
Now, Aldi has levelled up its game and given its version, Cuthbert, a makeover with a gender reveal edition.
Featuring either pink or blue icing and topped with chocolate beans, the cake will be launching from September 2 as part of a competition open to all expectant parents. And for those lucky enough to get their hands on it to try a slice, it’ll be completely free.
The gender reveal Cuthbert has been made to mark September being the most popular birth month, as data from the Office For National Statistics shows that births tend to peak in late September – nine months after the fun and frolic of Christmas festivities.
At the same time, research from Aldi has found that 58% of Millennial Brits have celebrated their pregnancy with a gender reveal, while 48% of Gen Z have attended three parties on average over the last five years.
5% of Brits have even considered naming their future child Cuthbert – which would certainly work out conveniently with regards to choosing birthday cakes from Aldi, at least.
Likewise, cake is by and large the most popular method of revealing a baby’s gender – and those aged between 18 and 24 are twice as likely to opt for a cake, choosing it over other options like balloons, confetti, or even fireworks.
Interested in winning yourself one? To be within a chance, shoppers need to send an email with their full name, why they or a loved one would be the perfect recipient for it, the address of their nearest Aldi supermarket and the gender of their baby to GenderRevealCuthbert@aldi.co.uk.
That said, the concept of the gender reveal is a controversial one, as some argue that it’s an outdated concept that often equates ‘pink’ with girls and ‘blue’ with boys, as well as ignoring the complexities of gender.
However, others might see it as a harmless way to celebrate the incoming arrival of their little one with family and friends – and enjoy a sweet treat in the process.
Elsewhere, we’ve all seen viral videos of disappointed parents online trying to shrug off an expression of disappointment after finding out whether they’re welcoming a boy or a girl.
Other viral internet moments have seen reveal parties go wrong – from coloured streamers going off too early to expectant parents being hit by powerful bursts of confetti.
After centuries of male domination, though, where parents wanted boys to pass on the family wealth and name, the global gender imbalance is shifting. Everyone wants girls now.
In July, Katherine Ryan, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, joked that she’d feel gender disappointment if she has a boy, telling Heart Radio’s breakfast show: ‘I’m quite big, so I think it might be a boy, so I’m feeling dejected about that, because men have just antagonised me all my life, even before they’re born.’
The 42-year-old, who already has two girls and a boy, then added, more seriously: ‘I didn’t grow up with brothers, so it’s been an adjustment for me.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
