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Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
I tried instant coffee from Asda, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and more - £2.30 one was just as good as Nescafé
From Asda and Tesco to Waitrose and M&S, our coffee lover tried to find a supermarket brand that matched up to Nescafé and Kenco - here is how they ranked against the leading names As someone who's never tried supermarket instant coffees, I was intrigued to see how they'd stack up against big names like Nescafé and Kenco. There's something special about a fresh brew made with rich, aromatic coffee beans and a good dollop of milk. But shelling out for three or four Costa coffees a week is starting to make a noticeable dent in my finances. In an effort to cut costs, I've decided to explore the world of instant coffee, taking in both leading brands and supermarket own labels. To keep things fair, I chose similar types of instant coffees - all promising rich and smooth flavours - and added the same amount of coffee and milk as I usually do. If I were to go for an instant coffee, it would typically be Nescafé, and I've rarely strayed from that. As the kettle started to boil, I was keen to get this taste test underway, reports the Express. 1. Asda The Asda coffee didn't exactly get us off to a flying start. The aroma upon opening the pack left a lot to be desired, but the sight of large chunks of freeze-dried coffee gave me hope that less might deliver more in terms of strength. Sadly, I was wrong. While it provides a reasonably smooth sip, if you're looking for a hearty kick of strong coffee, Asda's Just Essential Instant Coffee, priced at £1.08, doesn't quite deliver. Rating: 4.5/10 2. Morrisons Morrisons ' own-brand Savers Instant Coffee, coming in at a mere £1.15, is not one I'd readily recommend. On first whiff, it was practically odourless, and the faint smell it did release was oddly chemical. Rating: 3/10 3. Tesco Tesco's own £1.15 coffee didn't fare much better, emitting an aroma that seemed to confuse chemicals with coffee – hardly the best start. The scent all but disappeared once hot water hit the cup, and the granules dissolved at breakneck speed, faster than most I've sampled. The taste was on the bitter side, but it wasn't entirely terrible. Rating: 4/10 4. Lidl Lidl's Bellarom Rich Roast instant coffee, priced at £1.79, is marketed as a "full flavoured instant coffee" with a four out of five strength rating – a statement I found quite optimistic. Opening the jar revealed little to no aroma, and the coffee it produced was notably weak. It was a relief not to encounter any bitterness, but the coffee flavour was so subtle it was more like a lukewarm, milky drink. Even after mixing two level teaspoons with hot water and adding milk, the flavour failed to make an impression. Rating: 4.5/10 5. Aldi Aldi's Alcafe Rich Roast coffee, which costs £1.99, caught me off guard with its unexpectedly sweet smell, which didn't quite match up with its description. The flavour was mild and smooth, not quite hitting the mark of a top-notch coffee, but it was still somewhat pleasant. Rating: 6/10 6. Sainsbury's This £2.30 coffee from Sainsbury's was delightfully fragrant from the get-go, a characteristic not many others could claim. The coffee took its time to dissolve in water, but delivered a smooth blend with a pleasing coffee hit. You could easily mistake it for Nescafé just by the taste. Score: 8.5/10 7. M&S Upon brewing a cup of M&S ' Rich and Smooth coffee, I noticed it was free of stray granules, much like Aldi's offering, and had a gentle, smooth profile. However, it didn't quite deliver the caffeine kick I was after-- but at a modest £1.20, I can't grumble too much. Score: 6/10 8. Waitrose This Waitrose blend boasted a chocolatey aroma with a bitter end note, while undissolved granules lingered at the bottom of my mug. Despite its sweet scent, this £1.65 coffee left a harsh, bitter aftertaste. Score: 3/10 9. Kenco Expecting this coffee to be a top contender, given the brand's popularity and its £7.75 price tag, I was surprised when it failed to impress me. The coffee was smooth but had a very subtle aroma and flavour. Score: 6.5/10 10. Nescafé The Nescafé original instant coffee is a familiar favourite. It was pleasant and smooth and - in simple terms - you get what you pay for: a decent brew. However, in the current climate, £7.25 a jar is not something that many can justify on a stretched budget. Rating: 8/10 Verdict When it comes to flavour, both Sainsbury's and Nescafé hit the mark, but Sainsbury's had a slight advantage for me, considering its cost. The coffee boasted a truly smooth texture and was generally quite pleasing to the palate. I wouldn't think twice about grabbing another jar on my next shop.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
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.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
I compared coffee from Asda, Tesco and six others — one was as good as £7 version
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 on the market. I tried two leading brands and then the own brands from eight different supermarkets. 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. Néscafe The Néscafe 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.
