In a head-to-head comparison of budget instant coffees from Britain's two largest supermarkets, Tesco Gold Instant Coffee emerged as the clear winner over Sainsbury's Gold Roast, according to a taste test by Brian Dillon of Express.co.uk.
Tesco Gold Tops the Charts
Tesco's entry scored 16.5 out of 20, earning top marks for its aroma (5/5), appearance (3.5/5), and taste (8/10). Priced at £2.65 for a 200g jar, it was described as having a "nice and subtle flavour" with a coffee taste that "cuts through and leaves a nice aftertaste." The jar's claim of being "rich and smooth" was upheld, with the bitterness level described as "just the right amount to give me that punch I'm looking for in a cup of coffee."
Sainsbury's Falls Short on Value
Sainsbury's Gold Roast Instant Coffee scored 15 out of 20, with a perfect 5/5 for smell and a 3/5 for appearance, but only 7/10 for taste. At £3.15 for a 200g jar, it was 50p more expensive than Tesco's offering. The coffee was noted to be "on the bitter side, with not enough of that rich coffee flavour to balance it out," though it had a "smooth mouthfeel." Dillon concluded that "the price isn't justified by the flavour."
Background and Methodology
Dillon, who typically buys instant coffee from Aldi or Lidl due to cost-consciousness during the cost-of-living crisis, tested the two brands after running out of coffee at home. He scored each based on aroma, flavour, and appearance, with the winner being Tesco Gold Instant Coffee.
