Coffee - Value, Shop's Own Or Brand Name?

Herbaholic

Hi everyone

Trying hard to cut shopping bill, bought lots of value bits and bobs and been surprised how they're not so bad, but when it comes to coffee me and hubby have always been Nescafe people. Hubby went green last night when I picked up Asda value coffee, colour changed with the Asda own label but he still insisted we got Nescafe, until and I quote "You've asked the people on your money saving forum what they think of cheaper coffees".

So I'm asking Is there a brand as good or better than Nescafe that is cheaper, or any own label coffees from any supermarket that people would give the thumbs up to or avoid like the plague? I can get to Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Co-op, Lidl and a few other places so the store of origin isn't a problem, it's the taste that matters.

Penny-Pincher!!

Nescafe is one item I will not compromise on and we have tried all other branded and non-branded coffee.

I buy from the 99p a 100g jar of Nescafe which is much cheaper than the supermarket or if on special at Makro.

Sorry, not much help.

PP
xx

oldMcDonald

Personally, I won't buy Nescafe as I do not agree with the company ethics. example here If I had the shopping budget I would like, then it would be fair traid, organic for me, but I don't so it isn't

We used to get ASDA own brand, but now get Smart Price. I actually like this coffee, as does DH, however my cousin says she hates it.

One of my friends - a self confessed coffee snob - told me the other day that she really liked the coffee and asked what it was, I took great pleasure in telling her it was Smart Price

It all comes down to personal taste in the end.

joey_2

My oh was also a nescafe "snob" he would never have even tasted any other coffee, so I brought Tescos own, the really cheap 35p one and emptied it straight into the canister. Well he did notice that it was a different make but actually liked it! He didn't find out how much it cost till he'd been drinking it for a few months cos I knew that would put him off.

daleyd

Have to confess I'm a bit of a Nescafe fan, but will buy other named brands if on offer (In true MSE stylee!)

Working away in Italy at the mo, and think I will find it hard to come back and drink instant coffee at all now though!:D

Nicki

Another option is to combine a more expensive brand with a cheaper one (a bit like the homemade laundry powder idea) so that you are getting a lot of the taste of the expensive one, with the cheaper one as a filler. Best to choose a fairly mild cheap one if you're doing this though. We did it successfully with half a jar of Gold Blend and a non-descript jar of unbranded we bought at one of the kid's school's fete, and it was OK.

Thistle-down

My dh is very happy with the Aldi med. roast one - not the gold label but the cheaper one, I think the label might be blue? and he was a true Nescafe addict.

jcr16

um i buy whatever is on offer at the time i need to buy it. i usually buy 1 jar a year. ( not big coffee drinker's) so i don't mind spend £2-£3 on it. i have in the past bought value , but found it very bitter. but all coffees i have to put 1 sugar in.

so this prob isn't any help.

( my mum buys value tho and likes it)

newmrslockwood

Its gotta be nescafe gold blend for me. we've tried the other cheaper ones but dont like. i think it would be better to try for yourselves as every ones tastes are different. And if you bought the smart price one and didnt particularly like it, it wouldnt leave you too much out of pocket.
I only buy my gold blend when its on offer. i got a 400g one on the go at the mo that will last about 3 months(only me drinks it) that cost £5.49. 100g usually £2.15ish

Becles

I like strong coffee. I've tried various other brands but not found anything that tastes as good as Kenco Really Rich.

It's all down to personal taste, and coffee is one thing I really enjoy, so I don't mind paying a bit extra for one I like.

anniewoo

It's Nescafe for me too,I'm afraid.I have tried most of the other branded makes and a few own brands and I still prefer Nescafe.

I try to stock up on Gold Blend when it is on offer,I have about 4 jars in the cupboard at the moment so that will last me for months as I am not a heavy coffee drinker.

I don't mind economising on other food items,but not coffee.