---Intro---
I tend to get through quite a lot of instant coffee. I find decaf a bit pointless since it has no caffeine in it, and my (probably) main reason for drinking coffee is to keep me awake. Sometimes though it is nice to have a hot drink especially on a cold day, and since I absolutely cannot stand tea, then coffee it is.

I used to get Nescafe Gold Blend as a rule, or some version of Kenco if that was on offer. However, increasingly I started getting the supermarket's own brand, firstly with Tesco's own (which I think is equally good to this), and now with Asda's, since Asda is where I mostly shop now.

I do like 'proper coffee', but as a general rule find the hassle of making it isn't worthwhile. And actually I think I prefer instant coffee (so long as it is freeze dried) - shock horror!


---Packaging---
The coffee is packaged in a glass(which can be recycled) container with plastic lid, much like any other instant coffee. There is a gold foil bit inside to tear off (after sticking your finger or a teaspoon in it) before you can get to the coffee - obviously this is to keep it fresh. The jar we bought yesterday is best before January 2014, which gives us 16 months to drink it - however realistically speaking I'm sure it would last much longer if you let it!

The packaging is different to what is in dooyoo's picture. Instead it says on it "Asda Chosen by you" at the top, followed by "Freeze dried instant coffee", "GOLD ROAST" and "Specially selected and blended for a fresh, full flavoured cup of coffee". There is a picture of a mug full of coffee beans. The packaging looks more attractive than it does in dooyoo's picture (which was obviously the older packaging). They also do 100g jars which work out a bit more expensive.


---The drinking experience---
I like my coffee with lots of caffeine (so generally opt for 2 heaped teaspoons in a large mug, or 1 and a half level teaspoons in a normal mug). I have no sugar, but plenty of milk (mainly to avoid burning my mouth which I tend to do on most hot things). When you open the jar of coffee, there is a nice rich aroma of coffee.

The instructions on the back of the jar say to put a teaspoon of coffee into a mug, pour hot (not boiling) water onto it (I have to say I always add water straight from the kettle so it's not far off boiling), stir, and then add milk or cream and sugar. To be honest I'm not sure that any of this really matters - we all have our own ways of making coffee. I do find it a bit annoying when milk is added first though as then it's harder to stir the coffee in.

I'm unsure how to describe the coffee except that it tastes of coffee. Perhaps it leaves a slightly more bitter after taste than some other (I'm thinking of Nescafe), although I find that Kenco can be quite bitter. However, that isn't an unpleasant taste as far as I'm concerned.

Personally I find that you get used to what you are drinking at the time, it's only when you swap coffee that you notice a difference. Perhaps that's why I tend to prefer instant coffee - if I drank proper coffee all the time then perhaps I would find this vile.


---Ingredients---
This coffee contains "Soluble Coffee" and nothing else! The coffee is usual light brown coffee coloured, and the granules are a fair size - it looks exactly the same as more expensive brands.


---The cost---
A 200g jar costs just £2.45 which works out £1.22 per 100g. To put this into context, a similar Nescafe product is £3.24 per 100g.

You're not really going to get coffee much cheaper, unless you go for that stuff which they scrape off the factory floor. Nescafe's version of that awful stuff is £2.68 per 100g. Asda's Smart Price stuff is 47p per 100g. Why anyone would do that to themselves is beyond me. I once bought some from a bargain shop, and not only was it vile, but it also sent me slightly loopy after a few mugs.

Those who don't drink caffeine will be pleased to hear that Asda also do a decaf version (although this costs slightly more).


---Finally---
While we continue to shop at Asda, this is the coffee that my boyfriend and I will continue to buy (unless there is an exceptional special offer on something else). I realise that we all have different tastes, and some people might find this stuff vile. However, we think that it's probably as good as the more expensive brands. Mind you that might in part be because I put so much milk in mine, and my boyfriend puts so much sugar (3 teaspoons) in his!

5 out of 5.