In a blind taste test of five own-label instant coffees from major UK supermarkets, Tesco Gold Instant Coffee emerged as the clear winner, scoring 16.5 out of 20. Priced at £2.65 for a 200g jar, it outperformed more expensive options from Co-op (£3.20 for 100g) and Sainsbury's (£3.15 for 200g).
Methodology and Scoring
Brian Dillon, Audience Writer, conducted the test by preparing each coffee according to package instructions, using the specified amount of granules and boiling water. He scored each coffee on smell (out of 5), appearance (out of 5), and flavour (out of 10), for a total out of 20. The cheapest option, Lidl Bellarom Rich Roast at £1.99 for 200g, scored the lowest at 9.5/20.
Bottom of the Rankings: Lidl and Asda
Lidl's offering was described as bitter in an unpleasant way, with little coffee flavour and a harsh aftertaste. It received a smell score of 1.5/5, appearance 2/5, and taste 5/10. Asda Rich Roasted Coffee Instant Granules (£2.28, 200g) fared slightly better with a 10/20 overall, scoring high on smell (4/5) but low on taste (4/10). Dillon noted that while the aroma was inviting, the flavour did not match expectations.
Mid-Tier: Sainsbury's and Co-op
Sainsbury's Gold Roast Instant Coffee (£3.15, 200g) took third place with 15/20, praised for its smooth flavour and pleasant aftertaste despite some bitterness. Co-op Fairtrade Gold Roast Freeze Dried Coffee (£3.20, 100g) came second with 15.5/20, earning top marks for appearance (4/5) and a balanced bitterness. However, its higher price per gram made it less economical than the winner.
Winner: Tesco Gold Instant Coffee
Tesco Gold Instant Coffee scored 16.5/20, with perfect marks for smell (5/5) and a strong taste score of 8/10. Dillon described it as subtle yet distinctly coffee-flavoured, with a nice level of bitterness and a pleasant aftertaste. He highlighted the value for money, noting that at £2.65 for 200g, it is significantly cheaper than Co-op's offering and offers double the quantity. "Considering it is much cheaper than the likes of Co-op (and double the size), I was also pretty happy with the value for money," Dillon said.
