Fancy a trip to a faraway place? (Nescafe Alta Rica)

Member Name: Smokindave

Product:	Nescafe Alta Rica
Date:	30/06/09 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong, smooth and uniquely tasty coffee

Disadvantages: I can't stop drinking the stuff

My need for good instant coffee comes from, believe it or not, owning a Tassimo coffee machine. Why, I hear you shout would I need such a thing? Is the Tassimo not producing delicious fresh coffee on tap? Well it is, but having a wife, two kids and a mortgage is one thing, running a Tassimo is another. So basically I use the Tassimo on weekends and for special treats. My everyday coffee not only needs to meet the budget but satisfy my taste buds.

Like a lot of things in my life, finding this coffee was a result of a mistake on my part. I actually thought I was buying the Colombian variant which my wife had bought a few weeks earlier. I thought the coffee was okay, nothing special, but in a rush and recognizing the branding I plumped for the same one again. It was not until later that I discovered to my pleasant surprise that this was actually the Alta Rica variety.

In hindsight I am amazed that I had picked up the wrong one as apart from the general shape of the jar and standard Nescafe collection logo etc, the colour is quite different being of a dark brown with an attractive purple colour merging into the lower section of the jar. The name Alta Rica appears in large writing with a picture of a pyramid below and the word Intense below that, conjuring up the image of far away adventure.

Sure enough when I removed the lid and performed that initial crack of the foil, I was rewarded with an incredibly potent and pleasing aroma that did take me to a different place. It was not long before I had a cup of steaming hot coffee in front of me. I tend to like my coffee medium to strong but quite milky also; basically a Latte. Some people like two or three teaspoons of instant coffee, but I went for my one standard heaped spoonful, no sugar.

The taste was excellent, verging on the strong side but not overpowering, and with a delightful flavour that hinted of the exotic land displayed on the jar. I can thoroughly recommend this coffee and I shall be going back for more when the jar runs out. My workplace is also full of this brand, after a general revolt against the 500 Kg dustbin full of wood shavings that offered no similarities to coffee other than in spelling on the label!

Nescafe have a website dedicated to the new Collection range at www.nescafe.co.uk/collection/, where you can register and claim vouchers, offers and win competitions, etc. There is also a free phone number in the UK; 0800 58 57 59 and ROI; 008006378 5385 or write to them at PO Box 207, York, YO91 1XY.

The Nescafe collection is available in four other variants; Columbian, Suraya, Alta Rica Decaff & Expresso. The jars are 100g in size and retail for around £3.39 each, from all the usual outlets although other sizes are available.

You will have to excuse me, as all this typing has brought on a terrible thirst.......now where is that coffee jar?

Summary: Treat your taste buds to the greatest coffee experience available in a jar!