Coffee wasn't something I particularly enjoyed when I was younger but now it has become my go-to hot beverage.

I wouldn't particularly say I'm a snob when it comes to a particular brand. Even before the cost of living crisis sent the price of coffee jars to all time highs, I'd often find what was on offer that week and have tried most of the major brands.

Something I've not usually done is opt for a supermarket own brand. It's obvious maths that these lower-priced alternatives to the big boys that dominate the shelves will make a big difference to your weekly shopping bill but there's always the assumption that you'll be compromising on taste or quality with a 'cheap' product.

This week I put them to the test to see if lower prices meant lower quality.

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Asda & Co-op:

99p at Asda for 100g // £1.10 at Co-op for 100g

Bottom of the pile was Asda - without a doubt. I know about two paragraphs ago I said I wasn't a snob but this was just not right!

Opening the pack, I could see really big chunks of the freeze-fried coffee which I first thought was great because it would mean stronger coffee for less spoons. How wrong I was, despite a good stirring, it meant some didn't dissolve meaning the bitter coffee granules just floated to the top and made my drink a real mixed bag every sip!

Co-op was a smidge nicer, the coffee had definitely dissolved this time but the flavour was at times overwhelming. Not even adding extra milk to a point where it looked like my usual milky brew saved it and it left a lingering aftertaste I had to scrub out almost immediately.

• Asda Score: 3/10
• Co-op Score: 4/10

M&S & Tesco:

£1.30 at M&S for 100g // 99p at Tesco for 100g

I couldn't decide between the next two - both Tesco and M&S were good options but not great. The cups were both clear of stray granules like the previous two but neither would give me that 'get up and go' feeling I pray for each morning! If there was ever a coffee shortage and these were the only options I wouldn't be mad but I certainly wouldn't be happy either!

• M&S Score: 6/10
• Tesco Score: 6/10

Morrisons & Nescafe:

£1.55 at Morrisons for 100g // Nescafe Azera, 90g [I bought mine at Tesco reduced from £6 using a Clubcard offer to £3.50]

The Nescafe range was one I'd had before time and time again. It was nice and smooth and - in simple terms - you got what you paid for being a good, strong cup of coffee. However, in the current climate, £6 a tin is not something that many and justify on a stretched budget. For that price, you might as well save yourself some washing up and get a coffee from Costa or Starbucks!

Morrisons ever so slightly trumped it though with its great flavour - and for an obviously better price. It had all the great characteristics of a good cup of coffee that really perked me up in the morning with its rich aroma.

• Nescafe Score: 7/10
• Morrisons Score: 8/10

Aldi:

£2.49 at Aldi for 200g

My winner had to be Aldi, once again offering a great budget friendly alternative. When shopping, the 200g jar pictured above was the closet match to items I'd already picked up for this review so, in the interest of fairness, it's what I bought here.

Offering double the size of the rival supermarkets, the extra cost on this means families won't run out nearly as quickly as other brands. Like other Aldi products I've raved about in these reviews, the fact it is 'cheap' doesn't mean it skimps on quality.

The coffee had a really smooth texture, dissolved well and generally tasted enjoyable. I'd not hesitate to pick another jar up in the future.

• Aldi Score: 8.5/10