I tried 10 supermarket own brand coffees – A €2.64 one came close to Nescafé

For years, Nescafé instant coffee has been the go-to for many Brits, but with the rise of supermarket own brands, could there be a cheaper alternative? One coffee lover put 10 to the taste test to find out

Having never tried any supermarket instant coffees before, I was intrigued to see how they would stack up against the big guns like Nescafé and Kenco. There’s nothing that quite matches a freshly brewed cuppa made with rich and aromatic coffee beans and a generous dollop of milk.

However, shelling out for three to four Costa coffees a week is beginning to make a dent in my pocket.

In an effort to cut costs, I’ve decided to delve into the world of instant coffee, encompassing both leading brands and supermarket own labels. To ensure fair play, I chose similar types of instant coffees – all claiming to offer richness and smoothness – and added the same quantity of coffee and milk as I usually do.

Generally, if I were to go for an instant coffee, it would 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 got us off to a somewhat disappointing start. Upon opening the pack, the aroma left a lot to be desired, but the sight of large chunks of freeze-dried coffee led me to think that less might deliver more in terms of strength.

Sadly, I was wrong.

While it provides a fairly smooth sip, if you’re looking for a robust kick of strong coffee, Asda’s Just Essential Instant Coffee, priced at €1.24 (£1.08), doesn’t quite deliver.

Rating: 4.5/10

2. Morrisons

Morrisons’ Savers Instant Coffee, at €1.32 (£1.15), is another supermarket blend I wouldn’t particularly recommend.

It had virtually no fragrance when opened, and what little scent there was seemed rather artificial.

Rating: 3/10

3. Tesco

This €1.32 (£1.15) brew from Tesco produced an odour that resembled chemicals mixed with coffee – hardly a promising start.

When I poured hot water into my mug, the fragrance practically disappeared.

The granules dissolved instantly, faster than most others I’ve sampled.

It tasted quite bitter, though it wasn’t entirely awful.

Rating: 4/10

4. Lidl

Marketed as a “full flavoured instant coffee”, Lidl’s Bellarom Rich Roast instant coffee, at €2.06 (£1.79), claims a four out of five strength rating – a statement I’d challenge.

The absence of fragrance when opening was disappointing, and the finished drink was distinctly bland.

Whilst the lack of bitterness was a plus, the coffee taste was so weak it resembled a lukewarm, milky mixture.

Following stirring two level teaspoons into hot water and adding milk, the flavour was regrettably flat.

Rating: 4.5/10

5. Aldi

Aldi’s Alcafe Rich Roast coffee, priced at €2.28 (£1.99), caught me off guard with its pleasant aroma, despite its description.

The flavour was mild and mellow, missing the boldness you’d expect from an exceptional coffee, though it remained reasonably pleasant.

Rating: 6/10

6. Sainsbury’s

This €2.64 (£2.30) coffee from Sainsbury’s was delightfully aromatic 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 satisfying coffee hit. One could easily mistake it for Nescafé just by the taste.

Score: 8.5/10

7. M&S

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 mellow, smooth profile.

However, it didn’t quite deliver the caffeine kick I craved– but at a modest €1.38 (£1.30), I can’t grumble too much.

Score: 6/10

8. Waitrose

This Waitrose blend had a chocolatey aroma with a bitter end note, while undissolved granules lingered at the bottom of my mug. Despite its sweet scent, this €1.38 (£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 €8.90 (£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 layman’s terms – you get what you pay for: a decent cuppa joe.

However, in the current climate, €8.32 (£7.25) a jar is not something that many can justify on a stretched budget.

Rating: 8/10

Verdict

When it comes to flavour, Sainsbury’s and Nescafé emerged as the victors, but for me, Sainsbury’s had the upper hand considering its price. The coffee boasted a truly smooth texture and was generally quite pleasing to the palate.

I wouldn’t think twice about grabbing another jar in the future.