Taylors of Harrogate Hot Lava Java Ground Coffee, 227g (Pack of 3)

Product Information

He particularly liked Sainsburys Taste The Difference Ground Columbian, which he said provided a real coffee aroma and excellent crema. Flavours were enhanced when adding milk. It may not have the loftiest reputation among coffee snobs, but good old instant has come a long way. There are now a wide range of options to choose from, including rich everyday blends, single-origin, premium instant and espresso-style options. Store all types of coffee in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. This will help to prevent the flavourful essential oils from evaporating. So, where do you start if you're looking to branch out? To help you make sense of the supermarket coffee aisle, we've put together a jargon-busting guide that explains what you can expect for your money, plus some tips on tasty options to look out for. I first tried Java Lava some years ago. About the second or third time I made it, I overdid it on the coffee and spent several hours at work in a wired, wide-eyed and slightly jibbering state. That's the presence of Robusta beans for you.

Our coffee expert was impressed by this corner of the coffee aisle, describing the microgrounds as ‘a great creation. The blend works very well, increasing the coffee character and flavours. The fineness of the ground coffee prevents any gritty effect, and they all brew easily and cleanly'. A medium roast will typically be lighter and smoother-tasting compared to a heavier 'continental' or Italian roast. High roasts should not be burned, although you'll notice some high roast beans do look darker in colour. This is the essential oils escaping to the surface of the bean. You don't need to wait ages, or buy a fancy multi-temperature kettle for the best results. Instead, just wait 10 seconds or so after boiling before you pour. When our coffee expert tried this out, he found this amount of time gives a rich, smooth style – but warns against waiting too much longer as you could end up with a thin taste. 2. Choose the right milk Giles says: 'Full cream is the richest option and creates a heavier, creamy note, while semi-skimmed milk is good as it's smooth and doesn't dominate the coffee.' 3. Store your coffee properly Compete: To find the fastest route using shortcuts and expert execution on the friends leaderboard.

Questions & Answers

Don’t pour freshly boiled water straight onto your coffee, as it can lead to a harsh, bitter flavour. Semi-skimmed cow’s milk worked better with coffee than plant-based milks, adding smoothness without swamping the character of the coffee. Of the plant-based milks, oat went down best. Terms such as ‘rich’, ‘smooth’, ‘balanced’ and ‘golden’ simply give an indication of the style of coffee. The level of roast (ranging from light to dark) is important to consider as this affects the coffee’s flavour profile.

While some people are obsessed with coffee - and have all the fancy kit to prove it - others just crave a good brew without the fuss. That's where instant coffee comes in. The choice of milk these days can seem endless. Our coffee expert experimented with dairy and plant-based options, and found all of them will sweeten and soften your coffee, but some will cause subtle changes in flavour. We tried: Nescafé Azera Americano, Nescafé Azera Intenso, Kenco Millicano Americano Instant Coffee, Sainsbury's Americano Microground, Lavazza Prontissmo Intenso Nescafe’s Cap Colombia instant coffee drew praise for its ‘bright, stylish flavour’ that ‘stood out as being close to real coffee’. But you don't need to spend more on branded coffee to get a quality drink – M&S, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s own-label Colombian instants were also all considered good options by our expert. How where coffee is grown affects the taste

Reviews

Coffee brands don't have a standardised system for rating strength, but understanding typical types and terms should help you navigate the aisles successfully.

Single-origin coffee comes from one specific region and has a distinct flavour unique to the area it’s grown in. That flavour can be influenced by various factors such as soil, climate and altitude. Nescafé's Azera Americano got good remarks – Giles described the aroma as 'good and smooth', also noting it took milk well. This one has a genuine taste as there's 'no bitterness' and 'no real instant flavour'. Traverse: Run, jump, climb, swing, boost, and surf in first person across lava filled worlds. Mastering execution will take dedication and skill.Sainsbury’s Americano microground went down reasonably well too, so there’s no need to rule out slightly cheaper own-label options. But although you'll have to pay more for a taste of these coffees, which are a blend of instant and ground coffee, it's worth considering the trade-up if you're after a high-end home brew. Our expert tried out five Colombian instant coffees (this is the most popular regional type) and was pleasantly surprised. In fact, Giles said these coffees were 'a leap ahead' from the plainer, everyday instants and the gold blend range. Contrary to popular opinion, don’t keep your coffee in the fridge or freezer - the moisture can cause it to absorb other smells, and dampen the flavour. We enlisted the help of our long-time coffee expert Giles Hilton to bring you unrivalled insight into what's on the shelf.