There are two main types of coffee bean: arabica and robusta. Arabica is grown on hillsides in Central and South America, Indonesia, Africa and India. It has wonderful flavour, style and character, influenced by where it is grown and in what conditions. We enlisted the help of our long-time coffee expert Giles Hilton to bring you unrivalled insight into what's on the shelf. 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 It was very strong and smelt bitter so it wasn’t the star I was hoping - in spite of this I put more milk in than I usually do. 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.

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'. Sainsbury’s Americano microground went down reasonably well too, so there’s no need to rule out slightly cheaper own-label options. After realising my error, I then followed the instructions, well tried to, by putting it through a cafetiere and it didn’t go well.Don’t pour freshly boiled water straight onto your coffee, as it can lead to a harsh, bitter flavour. 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. Martin Lewis: Do you have a Power of Attorney? It’s crucial protection – not just for the elderly – and more important than a will 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.

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. 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. 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. NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank to close at least 172 branches in 2023/24 – here's the full list, plus alternatives 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.The first sip, well put it this way, I didn’t really want to drink anymore but it got better. It wasn’t the smoothest coffee I’ve ever had but comparing it to the one I usually drink didn’t help. 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.

For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. 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 tasteNot realising this coffee was going to be more hassle than it’s worth, I bought it without reading the instructions. Do you have a Power of Attorney? MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains how this crucial protection works, why it's more important than a will, and how to get one in the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.