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 . 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'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 extraor.