I tasted coffee from Asda, Tesco and six more supermarkets — one was as good as £7 jar of Néscafe
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.
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