I tasted coffee from Asda, Tesco and six more supermarkets — one was as good as £7 jar of Néscafe
I tried 10 different coffees to see which one was the best and if any could live up to my favourite — there was a stand-out from the supermarkets
Nothing beats a freshly brewed coffee made from rich, aromatic beans and plenty of milk. However, shelling out for three to four Costa coffees a week is starting to hit the wallet hard. To save some pennies, I decided to see if I could find the best instant coffee, including both leading brands and supermarket own brands.
To keep things fair, I chose the same types of instant coffees, all boasting rich and smooth notes, and added the same amount of coffee and milk as usual. Typically, if I opt for instant, it's Nescafé and I've rarely deviated from that. With the kettle bubbling away, I was eager to get started.
1. Asda
Kicking off on a low note with Asda's coffee. Upon opening the pack, the aroma left much to be desired, but the large chunks of freeze-dried coffee gave me hope for a stronger brew with fewer spoonfuls. Unfortunately, I was mistaken.
It's a fairly smooth drink, but if you're after a robust coffee kick, Asda's Just Essential Instant Coffee, priced at £1.08, doesn't deliver.
Rating: 4.5/10
2. Morrisons
Morrisons ' Savers Instant Coffee, costing £1.15, is another supermarket offering I wouldn't rush to recommend. It had barely any aroma when opened, and what little smell there was had a slightly chemical edge. After adding two level teaspoons to hot water and stirring in milk, I found the flavour rather lacklustre.
Rating: 3/10
3. Tesco
This £1.15 coffee from Tesco had a rather off-putting start, reeking of chemicals with a hint of coffee. Once it hit the hot water in my mug, the scent practically vanished. The granules melted away quicker than its competitors, which is something. The taste was on the bitter side, but not entirely unpleasant.
Rating: 4/10
4. Lidl
Lidl's Bellarom Rich Roast instant coffee, priced at £1.79, boasts of being a "full flavoured instant coffee" and carries a four out of five strength rating – a claim I beg to differ with. Upon opening, the aroma was underwhelming, and the resulting brew was disappointingly insipid. Although I appreciated the lack of bitterness, the coffee flavour was so faint, it was akin to sipping on a hot milky beverage with a mere whisper of coffee.
Rating: 4.5/10
5. Aldi
Aldi's Alcafe Rich Roast coffee, costing £1.99, surprised me with its sweet aroma, contrary to its description. The flavour was gentle and smooth, lacking the robustness expected from a stellar cup of joe, yet it remained quite enjoyable.
Rating: 6/10
6. Sainsbury's
The £2.30 coffee from Sainsbury's greeted me with an unexpectedly sweet aroma, a trait not shared by many others. It took its time to dissolve, but the result was a very smooth concoction with a satisfying coffee kick. Blindfolded, I might have mistaken it for a Néscafe.
Rating: 8.5/10
7. Marks and Spencer
When brewing a cup of M&S ' Rich and Smooth coffee, I found it free from stray granules and, much like Aldi's offering, it was quite mellow and smooth. However, it didn't provide the caffeine kick I was after - but at a retail price of £1.20, I can't complain too much.
Rating: 6/10
8. Waitrose
This blend had a chocolatey aroma but ended with a bitter punch to the nostrils, while undissolved granules lingered at the bottom of my mug. Despite its sweet scent, this £1.65 coffee left a harsh, bitter taste in the mouth.
Rating: 3/10
9. Kenco
I anticipated this coffee would be a favourite, considering the brand's popularity and its £7.75 price tag. However, I was surprised to find it underwhelming. The coffee was smooth but had a very subtle aroma and flavour.
Rating: 6.5/10
10. Nescafé
The Nescafé original instant coffee is one I've had repeatedly. It was pleasant and smooth and - to put it simply - you get what you pay for: a decent cup of coffee. However, given the current economic climate, many might struggle to justify spending £7.25 on a jar.
Rating: 8/10
Verdict
In terms of taste, Sainsbury's and Néscafe came out on top, but Sainsbury's edged ahead for me, considering the price. The coffee had a really smooth texture and was generally enjoyable. I wouldn't hesitate to grab another jar in the future.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm a cleaning expert – everyday £1.15 kitchen cupboard filler is perfect for tackling grime
WITH bills continuing to skyrocket and the cost of living crisis still taking a toll, saving money in small ways can make a huge difference. And we all know that filling your cupboards with professional cleaning products can cost a fortune. 4 4 So to help, experts have revealed that there is a cheap household item that is perfect for tackling grime, so you can save some well-earned cash. And you might be surprised to hear that the item in question is coffee, which can be picked up for as little as £1.15 in supermarkets like Tesco. Not only can the popular drink save you a few pounds, but it can actually be used for a variety of cleaning tasks in your home. Experts at Housekeep have revealed that used coffee grounds are great for tackling grime, especially burnt bits on the bottom of your pan that you just can't get rid of. It can even give your sink a new lease of life and get rid of any horrible, lingering smells. So before you chuck out your used grounds or the dregs of your brew, cleaning pro Georgina Shepherd recommends using them to their full potential. She said: "Used coffee grounds are surprisingly versatile. "Thanks to their coarse texture, used coffee grounds can come in handy for tackling stubborn grime. "They're great for scrubbing pans, trays with burnt-on bits, or even giving your stainless steel sink a good refresh. "It's a great reason to hang on to the grounds from your morning brew instead of tossing them. I was gutted when scrubbing didn't get my 'stained' blender clean, then remembered a £3.25 spray I had in the cupboard 'Take your leftover ground coffee and mix it with a few squirts of washing-up liquid to form a paste. "Then, using a soft sponge, apply it to the surface you're cleaning. Scrub in circular motions, and this should help cut through grease and lift off any grime. "Avoid using coffee to clean porous surfaces, though, as it can stain!' As well as tackling grime in the kitchen, it also works well on wooden surfaces. Georgina adds: "That same coffee paste can work surprisingly well as a natural stain for wooden surfaces or furniture, too. "If you've got a small mark or scuff on a wooden surface, just apply the paste, let it sit for around 10-15 minutes, then wipe it away.' Another surprising use of coffee is to soak up any bad smells - especially food and bin odours. Georgia recommends sprinkling a handful of coffee during the summer to keep your bins fresh. And it's good news for anyone with a wooden chopping board. EXPERTS have revealed that a thorough clean doesn't have to break the bank. Katy Phillips, a product expert at price comparison website idealo, has said there are five clever, cost-effective ways to spruce up your home while keeping costs low. DIY cleaning solutions - Skip over the expensive cleaning products and make your own using household staples. White vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can tackle everything from limescale to greasy surfaces." Declutter and sell unwanted items - "Cleaning isn't just about tidying - it's an opportunity to declutter and make some extra cash! Repurpose and upcycle - "Instead of buying new storage solutions, get creative with what you already own." Target high-impact areas -"Focusing on key areas like carpets, sofas, and curtains. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery to absorb odours before vacuuming, effectively removing dust and allergens. Energy-efficient refresh - "Dust and debris can make appliances work harder, so clean behind your fridge and other large appliances to improve their efficiency and reduce energy consumption." She explains: 'Coffee grounds are actually fantastic deodorisers. "Try placing a small bowl or an open container of them in your fridge. They soak up bad smells and leave everything smelling much fresher. "During the summer, when kitchen bins can get a bit whiffy, try sprinkling a handful of coffee grounds into the bottom of a fresh bin bag after changing it. "They'll help absorb unpleasant odours between changes. 'Chopping boards, especially wooden ones, can hang on to strong smells and stains from things like garlic and onion. "To freshen them up, use the same coffee and washing-up liquid paste and scrub gently with a sponge. "The abrasiveness helps lift off food particles and stains, while the coffee neutralises any odours."
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The 65p Tesco buy that cleaned black spots off my grubby patio & left it looking brand new – just soak and scrub
Plus, natural cleaning solutions if you have pets budget hack The 65p Tesco buy that cleaned black spots off my grubby patio & left it looking brand new – just soak and scrub ONE keen gardener has shared his hack for cleaning up his "grubby" patio and it only costs 65p. Taking to the Garden on a Budget Facebook page, one man described using some bleach, water and pressure washer to transform his neighbour's patio. 3 One Facebook user shared how he cleaned up this 'grubby' patio Credit: Gardening on a Budget Official/ Facebook 3 He applied bleach and water for one hour before washing it off Credit: Gardening on a Budget Official/ Facebook 'Just to demonstrate the cheapest and most effective way of cleaning a patio I did my neighbours today so some before and and water left to soak and pressure washed,' wrote Facebook user Scott on the page and shared before and after photos of his efforts. This method would only set you back 65p for the bleach from Tesco, provided you have access to a pressure washer. He was inundated with questions about his method and asked for tips on how to get the best result. Scott explained how he left the bleach for one hour to soak and dry before washing it off. "What's the ratio to bleach and water please ???" asked one person to which Scott replied, "Fill a bucket and 300 ml of bleach. The key to this is brush it in and let it soak until dry." Others pointed out that using bleach outside was not great for the environment and some people asked for pet friendly alternatives. Scott said of pet friendly options: "Have done it with washing up liquid too in the past with similar results. Just to break the debris from the surface is all your doing. Bleach merely speeds up the process. Go for Fairy as long as its gets a light scrub and soaks in your good." When using bleach in the backyard, it is important to do it safely and to keep it away from plants, because bleach is toxic to all living things and will damage the soil. It should never be used in garden beds as it can make your soil too alkaline to grow plants. When bleach breaks down in your soil, it leaves behind salt, which is harmful to plants. If you have weeds between patio slabs, and choose to use bleach to kill them, it can also damage the stones. My garden was looking so old and the patio was broken - now it's a lush oasis and people can't believe how little I spent Bleach also has strong fumes and can be bad for the environment and your health. It's not only the bleach which can be damaging to the backyard, but also overusing a pressure washer. According to paving specialist and founding director of Infinite Paving, Rowan Cripps, overusing pressure washers can damage or even remove the sealant on the stone, which is there to make the patio last longer.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
The 65p Tesco buy that cleaned black spots off my grubby patio & left it looking brand new – just soak and scrub
ONE keen gardener has shared his hack for cleaning up his "grubby" patio and it only costs 65p. Taking to the Garden on a Budget Facebook page, one man described using some bleach, water and pressure washer to transform his neighbour's patio. 3 3 'Just to demonstrate the cheapest and most effective way of cleaning a patio I did my neighbours today so some before and and water left to soak and pressure washed,' wrote Facebook user Scott on the page and shared before and after photos of his efforts. This method would only set you back 65p for the bleach from Tesco, provided you have access to a pressure washer. He was inundated with questions about his method and asked for tips on how to get the best result. Scott explained how he left the bleach for one hour to soak and dry before washing it off. "What's the ratio to bleach and water please ???" asked one person to which Scott replied, "Fill a bucket and 300 ml of bleach. The key to this is brush it in and let it soak until dry." Others pointed out that using bleach outside was not great for the environment and some people asked for pet friendly alternatives. Scott said of pet friendly options: "Have done it with washing up liquid too in the past with similar results. Just to break the debris from the surface is all your doing. Bleach merely speeds up the process. Go for Fairy as long as its gets a light scrub and soaks in your good." When using bleach in the backyard, it is important to do it safely and to keep it away from plants, because bleach is toxic to all living things and will damage the soil. It should never be used in garden beds as it can make your soil too alkaline to grow plants. When bleach breaks down in your soil, it leaves behind salt, which is harmful to plants. If you have weeds between patio slabs, and choose to use bleach to kill them, it can also damage the stones. Bleach also has strong fumes and can be bad for the environment and your health. It's not only the bleach which can be damaging to the backyard, but also overusing a pressure washer. According to paving specialist and founding director of Infinite Paving, Rowan Cripps, overusing pressure washers can damage or even remove the sealant on the stone, which is there to make the patio last longer. 3
