Instant coffee is a popular and budget-friendly alternative to barista coffee, and some supermarkets sell surprisingly good own-label jars of instant coffee for just a couple of pounds10:53, 22 Jun 2026While instant coffee is viewed as the most economical choice, it needn't be tasteless. In fact, several supermarkets stock quite impressive own-brand jars of instant coffee for merely a couple of quid.‌Reach's Brian Dillon sampled instant coffee from five UK supermarkets, and the winner was far superior (and more affordable) than the priciest option. Instant coffee enjoys massive popularity in the UK, offering a wallet-friendly alternative for those without a coffee machine or who'd rather avoid splashing out on expensive brews from high street chains.‌So, Brian decided to put instant coffee to the test, sampling five own-brand jars from some of Britain's biggest supermarkets.‌He ranked them according to aroma, appearance and taste, with the first two categories being marked out of five, and taste marked out of 10.This enabled him to award each cup of instant coffee a mark out of 20. Brian prepared each cup following the instructions on the packaging, adding the specified quantity of granulated coffee and boiling water to each mug.Here are the findings, reports the Express.‌5. Lidl Bellarom Rich Roast Full Flavoured Instant CoffeePrice: £1.99 (200g)Lidl, regrettably, doesn't quite deliver, which is disappointing given it's the most budget-friendly choice in this taste test. This cup of coffee was harsh, but not in the desirable way when it comes to coffee.‌It leaves something of a disagreeable aftertaste, and it tastes potent in all the wrong ways. There isn't a great deal of coffee flavour present, although the harshness is undoubtedly there.Taking its price into account, Brian said he "would purchase it again if he was watching the pennies". However, he thought "for less than a pound more, a far better jar of instant coffee is available at another supermarket".Smell: 1.5/5Appearance: 2/5Taste: 5/10Final score: 9.5/20‌4. ASDA Rich Roasted Coffee Instant GranulesPrice: £2.28 (200g)Brian thought this one was similarly quite bitter, lacking the depth of a truly rich coffee flavour. The aroma, however, is "absolutely divine"."Yet when it comes to the taste, it fails to deliver on its promise. There is also very little in the way of an aftertaste".‌While it didn't particularly win Brian over, it remains one of the more wallet-friendly options, and he thought with a "splash of milk and a sweetener, it could produce a decent enough cuppa at home or on the move".Smell: 4/5Appearance: 2/5Taste: 4/10Final score: 10/203. Sainsbury's Gold Roast Instant CoffeePrice: £3.15 (200g)‌Brian thought this one leans slightly towards the "bitter end of the spectrum, yet there is just sufficient rich coffee flavour to even things out. It looks fairly decent, and the scent is spot on, drawing you in for a sip".He thought it boasts one of the "smoothest flavours throughout the taste test, leaving a pleasant aftertaste lingering on the palate".Smell: 5/5Appearance: 3/5Taste: 7/10Final score: 15/20‌2. Co-op Fairtrade Gold Roast Freeze Dried CoffeePrice: £3.20 (100g)This one is "less bitter than its rivals", according to Brian. "Yet still carries a pleasing level of sharpness, alongside smooth notes that lend the overall experience a richer quality". In terms of appearance, it is arguably the "most appealing of the lot, and for an instant coffee, it certainly looks the silkiest".Smell: 4.5/5Appearance: 4/5Taste: 7/10Final score: 15.5/20‌1. Tesco Gold Instant CoffeePrice: £2.65 (200g)Tesco came out as Brian's clear top pick. The cup of coffee was "pleasantly subtle, yet with a distinct coffee flavour".Article continues belowThe jar promises a 'rich and smooth' experience. Brian said: "While it's no match for a barista-made brew, it certainly ranks amongst the finer instant coffees on the market, boasting a satisfying level of bitterness and an agreeable aftertaste."Given that it's considerably cheaper than the likes of Co-op, and twice the size to boot, he was more than satisfied with what you get for your money."Smell: 5/5Appearance: 3.5/5Taste: 8/10Final score: 16.5/20