Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, and Iceland all put to the test in best budget instant coffee showdown

I don't mean to be a coffee snob, but I just can't do instant coffee. But with bills and rent seemingly always going up, I've had to cut down on my coffee shop latte and settle for something at home.

instant coffees

We tested a number of instant coffees (Image: MyLondon)

No two cups of coffee are identical. The beans, the roast, and the preparation all contribute to a vast difference in taste.

As a result, I've developed a bit of a coffee snobbery. Instant coffee is simply not for me.

However, with bills and rent constantly on the rise, I've had to reduce my coffee shop latte intake and settle for a homemade brew.

Thus, I embarked on a mission to sample all the budget instant coffees to find one that's palatable and offers good value for money. I compared Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, and Iceland's offerings, reports MyLondon.

Instant coffees

There was one big winner in the taste test (Image: MyLondon)

Lidl

Lidl's deluxe Colombian Instant Coffee, at 100g, will set you back a surprising £2.09, which seems excessive for such a small quantity. It also has the most unpleasant aroma, starting things off on the wrong foot for the typically reliable budget supermarket.

The situation doesn't improve, with a weak flavour despite using two spoonfuls of coffee, and an overpowering bitter taste. Despite having the most sophisticated branding of all four jars, this serves as a reminder not to be fooled by any claims of luxury when it comes to instant coffee.

Overall: 3/10.

Aldi

Aldi's Alcafe Rich Roast coffee wasn't the cheapest at £1.85, but it provides the best value for money in terms of quantity, weighing in at 200g for that still relatively low price.

In terms of flavour, the Alcafe smells pleasant and is only just pipped to the post by Iceland. The taste is what you'd generally expect from instant coffee, much richer than Lidl but not extraordinary, and perhaps slightly less than the smell initially suggested.

Overall: 6/10.

Tesco

Tesco's Gold blend instant coffee, priced at a lofty £2.50 for a 200g jar, could face a challenge unless it significantly outperforms its competitors. Ranking third in the aroma test, the taste confirmed this as its peak performance.

While it was a noticeable step up from Lidl and less bitter, it lacked distinctive flavour, rendering it fairly average. Overall score: 5/10.

Dan Wiggins led the taste test

Dan Wiggins led the taste test (Image: MyLondon)

Iceland

Iceland's top contender was the Lyon's Rich Roast instant coffee, priced at £1.50 for a 100g jar. Despite offering less value in terms of volume, it had the potential to makeup for it with superior taste.

The coffee had the most appealing aroma straight from the jar, hinting at a flavour that justified the price. Remarkably smooth for an instant coffee, it was enjoyable without any bitterness, although it lacked strength if that's your preference.

Overall score: 8/10.

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0_img_4377 (Image: MyLondon)

The verdict?

Tesco emerged victorious. While not quite matching a hand-crafted latte from an independent coffee shop, it did the job.

It wasn't overly bitter and had a robust flavour that provided a sufficient pick-me-up. While I'll still indulge in luxury coffee occasionally, it's reassuring to have a budget-friendly alternative.

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