I tried instant latte sachets including Starbucks and Nescafe – a 95p supermarket dupe was better
A LATTE sachet has become a staple in my daily routine to cut back on going to the coffee shop.
But branded instant drinks can still be pretty pricey.
I decided to but supermarket versions and well-known names to the test to see which ones are worth your money.
By saving on money do you need to sacrifice taste? I put the kettle on to find out.
I tried original latte sachets from big brands including Nescafe and Kenco, as well as from supermarket chains like Aldi and Asda.
In some cases only caramel versions were available of the drinks, so I gave those a go.
I found that a 95p option was a big surprise – here are the full results.
Starbucks
- £3.15 a pack
- 5 per pack
- 63p per sachet
Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the UK, but it is also one of the priciest.
I went in with high hopes for this and was not disappointed.
It was the sweetest of all the caramel drinks I tried and as close to the real thing you’ll find in a branch – but for far less.
It doesn’t have quite enough coffee flavour for me personally but is really yummy all the same.
The powder mixes instantly with the water and requires very little stirring – you also get a nice foamy head which is just what you’re looking for in a DIY latte.
Starbucks was the joint highest scoring for taste, but the priciest of all the lattes I tried.
Starbucks Premium Instant Caramel Latte come in boxes of 5 x 23g and the lowest price I found was for £3.15 in Waitrose, the highest was £3.60 in Morrisons.
- TASTE: 9/10
- PRICE: 5/10
- TOTAL SCORE: 14/20
Costa
- £2 a pack
- 6 sachets per pack
- 33p per sachet
Costa is my usual coffee shop of choice, and I regularly treat myself to a latte on the way into work or out shopping.
When Tesco began stocking the instant sachets a few months ago I knew I needed to give them a try and see how they live up to the real thing.
The powder mixed well and smelled very appealing, with a good foamy head on top.
While the caramel flavour could have been a bit stronger it was made up for by the taste of the signature Costa coffee blend.
They’re definitely a worthy alternative to a £4 latte but not quite the same due to not being as sweet.
You can find the Costa sachets, which only come in caramel flavour, at both Sainsbury’s and Tesco for £2 a box.
The most expensive price I found was at Morrisons for £2.49. A box contains six 17g sachets.
- TASTE: 8/10
- PRICE: 6/10
- TOTAL: 14/20
Kenco
- £1.75 a pack
- 8 sachets per pack
- 22p per sachet
Kenco’s original latte sachets are usually in my shopping trolley every single week.
They have a stronger coffee taste compared to the supermarket own brand choices, but are not quite the same as a cafe-bought latte.
At £1.75 a pack of eight, they’re the most affordable of all the branded options.
You’ll find them at this price at Asda, Tesco, Iceland, and Morrisons.
- TASTE: 8/10
- PRICE: 7/10
- TOTAL: 15/20
Nescafe
- £2.35 a pack
- 8 sachets per pack
- 29p per sachet
Nescafe Gold is perhaps the first brand that pops into most people’s heads when you say coffee.
But but they are the second most expensive brand at £2.35 a pack.
You do pay for good quality though as the drink was the ideal combination of strong coffee with milk, topped with a delicious froth.
It was my joint top scoring drink for taste alongside Starbucks.
Shoppers can pick a eight pack of 15.5g Nescafe Gold Latte Instant Coffee Sachets up for £2.35 at Sainsbury’s, or the most expensive price is £2.80 at Waitrose.
- TASTE: 9/10
- PRICE: 6/10
- TOTAL: 15/20
Asda
- £1.10 a pack
- 8 sachets per pack
- 14p per sachet
Asda‘s latte sachets are among the cheapest options I tried – but the taste didn’t blow me away.
At £1.10 for a pack of eight 17g sachets, they’re a decent enough option if you’re looking to save money.
But for me they were lacking the coffee flavour I was looking for.
The frothy top was quick to dissipate too which was disappointing. By the time it had cooled enough to drink, the foam was all gone.
- TASTE: 4/10
- PRICE: 8/10
- TOTAL: 12/20
Aldi
- 95p a pack
- 8 per pack
- 12p per sachet
I tried two of Aldi‘s instant latte offerings and its caramel version was my big winner.
I didn’t expect much considering they are so cheap especially compared with Starbucks.
But I was very surprised considering they cost just 95p a box.
The caramel flavour wasn’t quite as strong as some others, and I would add my own syrup to get the extra strength.
I would pass on the plain flavoured version however, as it had an almost salty taste.
Although it wasn’t the highest scoring for taste or price individually, taken together they scored top overall and are the best value for money.
You can pick up the Alcafé Latte Instant Sachets for 95p, and a box comes with eight 17g sachets.
Caramel
- TASTE: 7/10
- PRICE: 9/10
- TOTAL: 16/20
Plain
- TASTE: 4/10
- PRICE: 9/10
- TOTAL: 13/20
Lidl
- 89p a pack
- 8 sachets per pack
- 11p per sachet
Lidl‘s own-brand latte macchiato sachets are the cheapest off all the coffees I tried.
The initial taste is a bit nutty but becomes more and more enjoyable throughout the cup, and is a little milkier than others too.
I did find the powder didn’t mix as well with the water, but I eventually was left with the all important frothy head.
You can pick up a pack of eight sachets for 89p in store.
- TASTE: 5/10
- PRICE: 10/10
- TOTAL: 15/20
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