Decent instant coffee

I'm a tea person really but I do like one cup of proper coffee per day, made in a mini cafetière - simple and takes no time. I get very annoyed when I am out and want a quick cup of coffee in a café. There is no such thing these days, you have to wait ages while they faff about with their machines. And as for pods - just think of all the resources that go into manufacturing them!

I've got one of those frothier thingys somewhere! Bought on impulse and never used! must dig it out
I like weak, milky coffee so posh stuff wasted on me; drinking Millicano at the moment.

We have a jar of instant coffee in the cupboard for one of our visitors. We wouldn't touch it ourselves. For us it's always been the trusty filter machine, Lavazza coffee and recently a Tassimo machine. We use both as the Tassimo is expensive for every cup you drink. Yum!

DH is a real coffee fan and has a jug of real strong coffee prepared each morning for breakfast and always grinds the beans freshly. So I am spoiled as far as instant coffee goes. If I have to make my own coffee, it is Nescafé Alta Rica, the only one strong enough to kick start me in the morning.

Incidentally, what is the point of decaf coffee? Rather defeats the purpose, surely!!

I have one of those battery operated frothers. I warm my milk up in the microwave and then froth it up so I can make my own latte/cappucino type drink. Transforms even instant coffee into something worth drinking

I have a Senseo Coffee Machine and should use the Senseo Pods available in most supermarkets but they are so bland against the Perla Rich Roast pods available in Albert Heijn Dutch stores and on line from the Typically Dutch site I've discovered--- I needed to find another source because my son is not working in Holland anymore.
For instant coffee I drink a cheap brand from Lidl's as it seems to hit the spot more that any of the brands sold in the UK which again as so bland against the Continental blends.

The M and S stuff is good for dissolving. And for taste of course!

One of the important things about instant coffee for me is whether it dissolves easily in the microwave, or just sits in dark blobs on the surface. And no amount of stirring gets rid of it completely.

I've browsed the shelves looking at all the pods and sachet-things made for coffee machines. They are an extortionate price and it seems you get so few for the money! I really do not understand the craze for coffee-making machines, but I say that as a tea lover! I have a friend who views her machine in much the same way as she views the ice cream maker. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now lives in the cupboard under the sink.

I am a one cup of coffee per day person, and often have the decaf version. I do like my one cup to taste good though, so I shun cheap instant coffee in much the same way that I sneer at the expensive coffee-machine products. I suppose I am not much of a coffee enthusiast, so don't understand the need.

Thank you for some of the instant coffee suggestions. I am always worried about buying own-brand instant. Years ago some of them tasted awful. At the moment I use Millicano decaf and tend to like the whole-bean instants. I shall take a trip to the M&S Food Hall soon to dig out their version.

I only drink M&S coffee, grade 3. When I go to buy more, I normally empty the shelf and have been known to come home with around 10 jars. I am also too idle to make "proper" coffee and anyway, with the amount that I drink, I would be floored. I have not drunk tea for around 40 years now and I only drink coffee flavoured water!!!

hilky01 Ooh!! I never knew that. I will certainly look out for it.

We drink the ones with the 'storage jar' containers which I keep. I don't really know why. I drink decaf and DH the dark label one.

DH says that's an oxymoron!

I only drink one coffee a day and like a strong instant in a mug with a little cold milk. In a way we have to think of instant coffee as a completely different drink than real coffee. Like comparing lemonade made with real lemons and lemon squash. Both have there place

Ive just discvered Illy instant. Just the same as their coffee which is seveed in many restaurants. Everyone who has tasted it has said how lovely it is.

I only drink black coffee, no sugar, my favourite is LIDLs Bellarom GOLD decaf (100% Arabica freeze dried instant coffee), love it. Love the price as well.

Brilliant replies - thanks so much! My DD has a Nepresso machine and I use it and the pods constantly when I'm staying at hers. Bit pricey (but she can afford it!), so may have a word with Santa. Mollie, I did have a Tassimo, but it leaked and I didn't really like the taste of any of the coffee pods, so it went back. Will definitely try Aldi Alcafe for instant though. Thatbags - your DH is right, but I'm a lazy git like jinglbellsfrocks. Might try Alta Rica again, when it's on offer. Azera Intense just doesn't do it for me. I wonder if we lose our sense of taste as we get older (along with just about everything else)? Might also try the M&S silver lidded one as I have a voucher to use up.

Coffee....

I don't drink coffee - my DH does but he can't be doing with making fresh coffee! His current favourite is Nescafé Azera Intense, which he says is one of the best he's found. He always looks out for when it's on offer and buys half a dozen 100g tins.

I use Lidl Columbian, also have a Tassimo !

Yes, I'm with thatbags, make a pot of proper coffee. I use a tea cosy (well, coffee cosy I suppose) to keep it warm for a while.

I agree, Aldi Alcafe is very good. My DD only drinks black coffee and always enjoys her cuppa at our house.

Pods as Jingl says. Awfully easy to just "have another cup" especially with the milk frothed. (Only thing missing is George Clooney.)
Fortunately I also buy decaf pods as well as my favourite orange or blue ones, or you'd be scraping me off the ceiling by early afternoon.

Real coffee best but believe it or not Aldi Alcafe is pretty darn good.

Real coffee sends my head whirling so we drink cap Columbie. Alta Rica is stronger if you prefer strong coffee.

I think you have to look upon instant coffee as a drink - or medicine - in it's own right. It's an excellent spurrer-onner for lazy gits like me.

Marks and Sparks silver lidded one is the best on the market.

In my kitchen 'real' coffe sits in the fridge after the first few enthusiastic days, and goes way past it best before.