A recent comparison of lattes from six major UK high street coffee chains has crowned an unexpected winner, leaving global giants Starbucks and Costa in the dust. Brian Dillon, a lifestyle and travel reporter, sampled a standard latte with regular milk from each establishment, evaluating them on aroma, bitterness, and overall flavour out of a possible 20 points. The results revealed a clear hierarchy, with one chain standing out as the superior choice for coffee enthusiasts.
Ranking the Coffees
Dillon ordered the same drink—a latte with regular milk—from Greggs, Starbucks, McDonald's, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, and Caffé Nero. Each was scored out of 5 for smell and bitterness, and out of 10 for overall flavour, giving a maximum total of 20. The process proved easier than anticipated, as significant differences in quality emerged.
6. Greggs (Score: 8/20)
Greggs, known for its sausage rolls and baked goods, placed last. Its coffee comes from an instant machine, not a barista. Priced at £2.40 for a regular, the latte was weak and bitter, lacking a rich coffee flavour. Smell: 2/5, Bitterness: 2/5, Flavour: 4/10.
5. Starbucks (Score: 9/20)
Starbucks, the world's most recognisable coffee chain with over 40,000 stores globally (1,400 in the UK), disappointed. A Grande latte at £4.50 was watery and overly milky, with a weak yet noticeable aftertaste. Smell: 2/5, Bitterness: 2/5, Flavour: 5/10.
4. McDonald's (Score: 11/20)
McDonald's McCafé latte at £1.99 was better than Greggs and Starbucks but still lacking. It was slightly bitter with an unpleasant aftertaste, though the coffee flavour was more pronounced. Smell: 3/5, Bitterness: 2/5, Flavour: 6/10.
3. Costa Coffee (Score: 13/20)
Costa Coffee, a British high street staple, offered a £3.95 latte with an inviting aroma. The initial bitterness was overpowering but mellowed with subsequent sips, leaving a lingering aftertaste. Smell: 4/5, Bitterness: 2/5, Flavour: 7/10.
2. Pret a Manger (Score: 16/20)
Pret a Manger's regular latte at £4.05 impressed with a rich, balanced flavour. It had a pleasant bitterness and a mild aftertaste, making it a satisfying choice. Smell: 3/5, Bitterness: 5/5, Flavour: 8/10.
1. Caffé Nero (Score: 18/20)
Caffé Nero emerged as the clear winner. Priced at £3.95, its latte boasted an almost perfect bitterness level, a lovely aroma, and a smooth, strong yet not overpowering flavour. The aftertaste was pleasant, making it ideal for slow sipping. Smell: 5/5, Bitterness: 4/5, Flavour: 9/10.
Conclusion
While personal preference plays a role, Dillon's taste test demonstrates that Caffé Nero delivers a superior coffee experience compared to its high street rivals. For those seeking the best latte on the go, Caffé Nero is the recommended choice.
