Supermarket gold blend instant coffee crowned best in the UK beating Nescafé and Kenco

A new taste test from the UK's consumer champion, Which?, has crowned the best instant gold blend coffee - and it's not from the likes of Nescafé, Douwe Egberts or Kenco. The taste test saw 68 coffee enthusiasts test 12 different instant gold-roast-style coffees, including Nescafé and other well-known brands, and nine supermarket own brands from the likes of Asda, Lidl, Waitrose and Sainsbury's. The testers were most impressed by two supermarket own-brand instant coffees: M&S and Waitrose.

The two supermarket own-brand instant coffees received the same score, placing them in joint first place, while Nescafé and Douwe Egberts tied for second. Meanwhile, Aldi received a Great Value recommendation, as it was enjoyed by all testers and was cheaper than other highly ranked instant coffees.

M&S's Gold Instant Coffee came in joint first place, scoring 70% and costing £7.25 for 200g, earning it Best Buy status. While not the cheapest supermarket own-brand coffee, it's still cheaper than Nescafé, Douwe Egberts and Kenco.

The coffee was enjoyed by the testers, scoring highly for flavour, aroma and appearance. Nearly two-thirds of the testers were happy with the flavour, while close to 75% approved of the coffee's bitterness levels.

While pricey, M&S's coffee was one of only two tested coffees with the Fairtrade logo.

Waitrose's Gold Roast came in joint first place with a score of 70%, costing £3.70 for 100g. The Best Buy instant coffee scored highly for its appearance, aroma, and flavour.

Over half of the testers found the coffee's strength to be just right, and nearly two-thirds enjoyed its bitterness. While not inexpensive, Waitrose's offering is still more affordable than the better-known brands.

Douwe Egberts Pure Gold came in joint second place, scoring 69% and costing £8 for 190g. The coffee's aroma and flavour were rated highly, and just under half said the coffee's strength was spot on. Nearly two-thirds also praised the blend's bitterness.

This isn't cheap, but if it's a brand you buy regularly, it's best to shop around for offers.

Nescafé Gold blend came in joint second place, scoring 69% and costing an eye-watering £8.35 for 190g. The popular coffee brand was enjoyed by the testers, with many approving how it looked, its aroma and flavour.

Just over half of the testers enjoyed the bitterness level, although the remainder were split on whether it should have been more or less bitter. Almost half were happy with the flavour, but a third wanted it to be a bit stronger.

Again, Nescafé isn't cheap, but if it's your go-to coffee brand, then look out for offers.

Aldi's Alcafe Gold Roast came in third place, scoring 68% and costing a reasonable £2.65 for 200g. The coffee was given a Which? Great Value award as it is much cheaper than the other high-scoring coffees.

Overall, this instant coffee's aroma, flavour and looks were enjoyed by the testers, with the bitterness levels being approved by nearly two-thirds of the testers. The testers wanted a slightly stronger coffee flavour overall.

Kenco Gold Indulgence came in joint third place, scoring 68% and costing £8.35 for 195g. The brand's coffee received praise for its appearance, aroma and flavour, with around half finding the coffee flavour just right. However, a third of the testers wanted a stronger flavour. More than half of the tasters approved of the bitterness levels as well.

If this is your regular coffee, it's worth shopping around for offers, as it is on the more expensive side.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: "Instant coffee remains popular because it's quick, convenient, and requires no special equipment, but our taste test shows that big brands are not a guarantee of a better brew.

"Shoppers can save money by opting for supermarket gold blends, which can deliver just as much flavour and balance as the big-name alternatives and often for far less money."

How did other supermarket instant coffees fare?

• Co-op Fairtrade Gold Roast - 67% (£3.55 for 200g)
• Morrisons Gold Roast - 65% (£2.65 for 200g)
• Sainsbury's Gold Roast - 65% (£2.85 for 200g)
• Asda Gold Roast - 64% (£2.65 for 200g)
• Ocado Gold Roast - 64% (£3 for 200g)
• Lidl Bellarom Gold - 61% (£2.65 for 200g)