A recent taste test of standard Americanos from the UK's three largest coffee chains has crowned Caffe Nero as the winner, despite a novice coffee drinker ranking it last. The test, conducted by a self-described coffee novice, aimed to find the easiest-to-drink coffee for those new to the beverage.
The tester, who admitted to not liking coffee, sampled Americanos from Starbucks, Costa, and Caffe Nero. Starbucks was her favourite due to its smooth and mellow flavour, which she found easiest to drink. Costa came second, described as 'not too bad' but less smooth than Starbucks. Caffe Nero was her least favourite, with a sharp taste and a metallic aftertaste, which she attributed to possibly less fresh beans.
However, the tester noted that her preferences might be reversed for avid coffee drinkers who enjoy a strong, deep taste. She recommended Starbucks or flavoured coffees for those new to coffee, acknowledging that taste is subjective and coffee is an acquired taste.
The test follows a previous ranking by an Italian coffee enthusiast who declared Caffe Nero the best among the four major UK chains. The contrasting results highlight the subjective nature of coffee preferences, with the novice favouring milder options and the expert preferring stronger flavours.
