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.