A strong cup of coffee is the best way to start the day – but which supermarket instant coffee is the best? A coffee connoisseur put four brands to the test to find out
If your morning routine typically begins with the click of a kettle, it’s likely you’re someone who relies on a caffeine boost to kick-start your day. While some might find a cuppa does the trick, others insist on a piping hot mug of coffee to shift into gear.
Liverpool Echo writer Ray Bonsall explained: “While I’ve been known to venture into the world of coffee snobbery and I’m certainly a fan of an espresso based beverage (mine’s an oat flat white), I am not shy of an instant coffee in the morning either.” While it may fall short in quality, the undeniable speed and convenience of instant coffee was a win for her – and arguably, a more fitting method of preparation for those who opt for the caffeine-fuelled lifestyle.
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Without the luxury of time to brew a French press in the morning, Ray decided to put four instant coffees to the test to find the best speedy caffeine solution.
Aldi – £2.69 for 100g
The first coffee Ray sampled was from Aldi. Being the first sip of the day, she anticipated being hit by robust and bitter flavours. Instead, her initial sniff and taste of the grounds were rather underwhelming. As with all the coffees Ray tested, she first tried it black, adding two teaspoons of each blend per cup.
Ray described Aldi’s coffee being nearly undrinkable black, presenting a sharp sour taste without even the redeeming feature of bitterness to balance the tang. Like the aroma, the flavour was fairly weak.
With milk added, it made for a passable and drinkable cup, but it didn’t fill her with the joy that the first coffee of the day usually brings.
Lidl – £2.69 for 100g
Ray then moved on to Lidl’s Deluxe blend. Similar to Aldi’s coffee, she said it was undrinkable, describing its taste as sour and unpleasant. It came as a socker to her, as she generally enjoys the taste of black coffee.
However, when Ray paired with milk, it served as a decent cuppa, offering more flavour than Aldi’s version.
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Tesco Gold Blend – £3.10 for 200g
After a couple of let-downs, Tesco’s instant coffee surprisingly sparked her taste buds into life. The smell of the grounds, while not quite matching the delightful aroma of freshly ground beans, was unmistakably ‘coffee-like’ and even hinted at a subtly chocolatey scent.
Although the instant coffee can’t rival the real deal, this brew certainly packed a punch as a pick-me-up. It wasn’t delicate or subtle – but it delivered exactly what you’d want from a strong cup of coffee in a greasy spoon or for a mid-afternoon office boost.
Nescafé – £4 for 95g
Next up was the branded stuff. Nescafe was much on par with Tesco’s Gold Blend, delivering a strong taste that lingers as long as the caffeine kick (which isn’t necessarily a good thing).
Ray felt a caffeine jolt, though perhaps this was a placebo effect from the stronger taste.
Nescafé might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to a pleasant coffee experience, but its gold blend is decidedly smoother than the classic red-lidded jar. However, she explained that for the price hike, Tesco’s own brand is equally pleasing, if not marginally superior, and significantly more affordable.
In conclusion, it appears that splashing out on posh packaging will land you a gentler and more understated cup of coffee. But if your instant coffee needs are simply strength and a degree of palatability, supermarket gold blends are your best bet.