We tried: Nescafé Azera Americano, Nescafé Azera Intenso, Kenco Millicano Americano Instant Coffee, Sainsbury's Americano Microground, Lavazza Prontissmo Intenso

For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. 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. Coffee brands don't have a standardised system for rating strength, but understanding typical types and terms should help you navigate the aisles successfully. 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'.

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. 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.

Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. 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. We tried: Sainsburys Taste The Difference Ground Columbian, Nescafé Cap Colombia, M&S Fairtrade Instant Colombian Coffee, Waitrose Colombian Instant Coffee, Sainsbury's Colombian Origin Instant Coffee We enlisted the help of our long-time coffee expert Giles Hilton to bring you unrivalled insight into what's on the shelf. Sainsbury’s Americano microground went down reasonably well too, so there’s no need to rule out slightly cheaper own-label options.

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. 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. 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.