We already tested instant coffee a year ago. But since new products appear on the coffee market, this time we decided to test instant coffee with the addition of ground coffee.
The guys from Coffee Project helped us in preparing the material, for which special thanks to them. Barista, roaster and coffee specialist Alexey Platonov tried coffee with us, who, as it turned out, also drinks instant coffee. (Although we were sure that real coffee connoisseurs never drink instant coffee).
For tests, we chose four coffee brands - Nescafe Gold Barista (natural instant freeze-dried coffee with the addition of natural roasted ground coffee), Today In-Fi Coffee (ground coffee in instant), Jacobs Millicano (ground coffee in instant), Jardin Filigrano (ground coffee in soluble).
Alexey said that when making instant coffee, they most often use robusta, a cheaper coffee. (Arabica and Robusta are not coffee varieties, but species of the same plant). Robusta is a neutral coffee, no sweetness, no sourness, no bitterness, flat and even.
Innovative specialty instant coffee has already appeared in the USA and Europe; these are selected Arabica beans that are properly prepared. Manufacturers try to make this coffee taste as close as possible to a mug of filter coffee. The price of innovative coffee is about 2-3 dollars, which is comparable to the price of a mug of natural coffee.
On the packs of our coffee for testing, only Today coffee stated 100% Arabica.
We brewed all the coffee under the same conditions - the same volume of water, the same water temperature, the portion of coffee recommended on the package.
In our testing, Alexey weighed out 4 g of each coffee (approximately 2 tsp). He said that he always weighs his coffee before preparing it (even at home), and carries with him a compact scale the size of a cell phone.
When the coffee was weighed, we noticed its color. The color expert liked Jacobs the most. He explained that the color of the coffee may differ because different types of coffee are used, it may be roasted less or brewed less.
Coffee is not brewed with boiling water, the water temperature ranges from 85 to 95 degrees Celsius, 93-95 C is recommended.
After brewing, Jacobs coffee developed a crema, a coffee crema, which is characteristic of espresso, because it is brewed in a machine under pressure. The expert said there was nothing wrong with it.
Next we moved on to the tasting.
Professionals taste coffee using special cupping spoons (cupping is a professional term for tasting coffee, during which the characteristics of its taste and smell are determined), very similar to soup spoons.
The specialist doesn’t just take a sip of coffee, he inhales it with a characteristic sound and gulps it.
A few words about the brand
Coffee Jardin is the joint brainchild of two companies: Orimi Trade (Russian Federation) and Jardin Caffee Solution SA (Switzerland). The assortment includes all types of coffee products: beans, ground coffee, instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee, as well as capsules intended for special coffee makers. Coffee Jardin is made exclusively from Arabica beans, without the addition of Robusta.
The Orimi Trade company began its existence in 1994. Initially, it was a supplier of tea to Russia, and by 1999 it already provided 20% of the tea market in Russia. In the same year, the company launched the production of Jardin coffee. Very soon the new product was exported to neighboring countries: Belarus and Moldova.
Currently, Orimi's main office is located in St. Petersburg, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and branches have also been opened in many cities of Russia. The manufacturer has entered into contracts with companies from 35 countries for the supply of high-quality raw materials. Considerable funds are regularly invested in improving equipment and developing innovative technologies. The company's case includes 8 tea and two coffee brands (Jockey and Jardine).
The uniqueness of Jardine lies in the Thermo Two roasting technology, which combines two bean processing techniques - drum and convection, which makes it possible to preserve the basic characteristics of coffee beans. I would also like to note that all Jardine products are made from 100% Arabica coffee.
The company has developed a unique packaging technology: using a special technique, moisture, air, and light do not penetrate inside the coffee, thereby improving storage conditions and increasing shelf life.
Coffee Jardin, packed in a box along with a branded mug, is especially popular among lovers of an invigorating drink.
Jacobs Millicano
Expert opinion: “Not bad coffee, there is some sourness, but I didn’t like the dustiness, the sediment that remains on the tongue.”
People's experts also noted this sediment. “Some kind of oatmeal remains on the tongue.”
Manufacturer: JACOBS DOW EGBERTS RUS LLC, Leningrad region. Ingredients: instant freeze-dried coffee, ground roasted coffee. The text on the packaging states that “Each granule contains 100% natural, ultra-fine ground coffee. When brewing, particles of ground coffee remain at the bottom of the cup.”
Bean and ground coffee Jardin
Jardin brand products are divided into two main types:
- Specialty - drinks in the production of which one type of grain was used;
- Gourmet – an assortment of several varieties of coffee beans.
Ground coffee:
- Espresso Di Milano. An assortment of three types of dark roast beans is best used to prepare an invigorating espresso. The taste of Jardin Espresso contains sweet notes of honey and chocolate.
- Colombia Supremo. Made from single grade coffee beans grown on Colombian plantations. It is distinguished by the presence of a citrus taste with chocolate, vanilla, and nutty notes. Experts recommend brewing the drink in a Turk.
- Ethiopia Sidamo. Made from one type of grain, it is considered an elite product. The taste is distinguished by a slight bitterness and a sweet aftertaste. The coffee aroma contains a subtle scent of bergamot and apricot flowers. It is advisable to use Ethiopia Sidamo to prepare espresso in coffee machines or French press.
- Americano Crema. Several types of light roasted coffee beans are used here. The taste has a slight sourness and a coffee-floral aroma. The taste characteristics are best revealed when cooking Americano with a dense, delicate foam.
- Dessert Cup. Blend of 5 types of dark roast coffee beans. The taste of Jardin Dessert cup is multifaceted, creamy chocolate, smoothly turning into a nutty and honey aftertaste. It is better to brew espresso in a Turk or cook in a French press. Baristas are advised to add cream or milk to the finished drink.
- Guatemala Cloud Forest. Contains hard grains grown on volcanic plantations. In the taste you can distinguish notes of ripe wild berries and dark chocolate. Medium roast helps to fully reveal the interesting taste of coffee. Medium grind is used to make an invigorating drink in a coffee machine, coffee maker or French press.
- Sumatra Mandheling. The best varieties of beans are used for this coffee. The aroma contains notes of tobacco and sandalwood, the taste is chocolate, and the aftertaste is saffron. The drink turns out to be very strong; it is better not to combine it with dairy products. Baristas recommend using Sumatra Mandheling to prepare a traditional, invigorating espresso.
- Breakfast Blend. Contains four varieties of Arabica coffee beans. The taste is nutty with almond notes, and a dense foam forms on the surface. Ideal for making espresso in a Turk.
To purchase high-quality ground coffee, you need to know that the product retains its full taste and aroma only in foil vacuum packaging. Coffee Jardin is packaged according to all the rules - the manufacturer does not consider it necessary to save on packaging material.
Grain Jardin:
- Americano Crema. Mix of three varieties of Arabica, dark roast. The taste of Jardin Crema coffee beans has nutty notes with a slight bitterness.
- Colombia Supremo. With a honey-chocolate flavor, quite strong.
- Espresso Gusto is Jardin coffee beans with a strong, invigorating taste and dense foam on the surface of the drink.
- Golden Cup In Rome. When prepared correctly, coffee produces a beautiful golden foam.
- Espresso di Milano. Dark roast, almond flavor with a slight bitterness.
- Dessert Cup. The strength rating is “4”, the taste is fruity with a honey aftertaste.
- Exclusive. Arabica mix intended for preparing the drink in coffee machines.
- Ethiopia Sidamo. Ethiopian beans are medium roasted and have fruity and floral notes.
- Italia Maggiore. Arabica with a floral aftertaste is intended for making strong espresso.
Jardin bean products are produced in vacuum packaging in 1 kg, 500 g, 250 g, 100 g packages. Quite often, coffee shops and bars purchase industrial packages weighing 1 kg of Jardin Crema coffee beans.
Assortment of ground coffee
The range of ground coffee is identical to that of beans. There is a division into 2 groups - Specialty coffee and Gourmet coffee. The first is represented by single-origin Arabica beans from regions such as Colombia, Sumatra, Ethiopia and Guatemala. Gourmet coffee is a blend made exclusively from high-quality Arabica beans.
The line of single-origin ground coffee Jardin is represented by the following products:
Carte Noire instant coffee
- Colombia Supremo - medium-roasted strong coffee for preparation by any method, has a bitterness and chocolate flavor;
- Ethiopia Sidamo - dark roasted beans, but with a drink strength of level 3, distinguished by light sourness and a fruity aftertaste;
- Guatemala Cloud Forest – medium roasted, with a strength level of 4, with a berry flavor and natural sweetness, suitable for any cooking method;
- Sumatra Mandheling is the strongest in the range, giving a taste of spices and tobacco without sourness.
Most popular for home espresso
The range of blends includes:
- Espresso Style Di Milano - a strong blend of three varieties of Arabica with natural sweetness and a piquant aftertaste;
- Dessert Cup – strong, dark roasted with chocolate notes in taste, dessert cup is made from 5 varieties of Arabica;
- Continental – light medium roast, consisting of 2 varieties of African Arabica;
- Americano Crema – light coffee with a pleasant acidity, crema suitable for brewing in a cup, strength 3.
Single-varietal Arabica beans are more suitable for professional use. Therefore, it is often purchased by cafes and restaurants, which independently create their own blends, grind them and brew them in special coffee machines. The blends are ideal for home use.
Varieties for instant cooking
The packaging of instant drinks states Freeze Dried. Range:
- Jardin Filigrano – finely ground Arabica beans, enclosed in a special soluble capsule, reveal a delicate coffee flavor and aroma in the drink.
- Colombia Medellin – pleasant coffee taste with delicate foam on the surface of the cup.
- Guatemala Atitlan – Jardin instant coffee has an interesting, rich taste and pleasant fruity notes.
- Kenya Kilimanjaro – Jardin coffee is quite soft, with citrus and berry notes. Goes well with cream and milk.
There are many fans of instant coffee, and it’s not for nothing that many people prefer to save time in the morning and prepare the drink right away in a cup. It is worth noting that if the correct technology is followed and high-quality raw materials are used, all the taste and aroma characteristics of Arabica are preserved in the instant product.
Instant Jardin
Instant coffee Jardine is also available in a wide range. This is a freeze-dried product produced using new technologies that satisfies the different tastes of customers. It is made from single-origin Arabica beans, so it has bright features.
- Colombia Medellin is the strongest, with both bright floral and chocolate tones.
- Kenya Kilimanjaro – light, with a fruity aftertaste, ideal in combination with milk.
- Guatemala Atitlan is a drink with a classic taste and a pleasant fruity aftertaste, has a natural sweetness.
New product from Jardin - ground coffee in instant
Separately in the product line is ground coffee in instant Filigrano. This is a finely ground Arabica coffee encased in an instant coffee granule. The product has the taste and aroma of natural ground coffee. Gives a rich coffee crema and a chocolate-creamy flavor. You can buy freeze-dried products in glass jars or soft packaging of 75, 95 and 150 grams.
Each of the brand's products deserves attention and trying. This is a good coffee that is suitable for morning, afternoon and even evening consumption, as it has varying degrees of strength. By following the preparation instructions on the package, you can drink a tasty and aromatic drink every time.
Coffee capsules
The company, along with instant, bean and ground coffee, also produces capsules for preparing the drink in a coffee machine. Assortment of capsules Jardin:
- Allong;
- Vivo;
- Vanilla;
- Andante.
A relatively new product on the Russian market, it is distinguished by a blend of several varieties of coffee beans and precisely adjusted proportions, thanks to which a delicious drink can be prepared in a modern Nespresso coffee machine. Each capsule contains 5 g of ground, pressed coffee, 10 pieces in one package.
Jardin capsules are made from environmentally friendly materials, so they will not cause harm to health.
Nescafe Gold Barista
Expert opinion: “The most intense, bitter, the most invigorating. It most likely contains robusta; its aroma overlaps with arabica. If you want to wake up, this is the best option.”
Popular opinion: “This taste of coffee cannot be confused with any other. Bitter, invigorating."
Manufacturer: Nestle Kuban LLC, Krasnodar region. Ingredients: natural instant freeze-dried coffee, natural roasted ground coffee.
Prices for Jardin coffee
Price table in rubles
| Name | 75 g | 95 g | 150 g | 250 g | 280 g | 500 g | 1 kg |
| ground | |||||||
| Espresso Di Milano | – | – | – | 220-320 | – | – | – |
| Colombia Supreme | – | – | – | 300-350 | – | – | – |
| Americano Crema | – | – | – | 235-300 | – | – | – |
| Dessert Cup | – | – | – | 260-330 | – | – | – |
| Sumatra Mandheling | – | – | – | 320-400 | – | – | – |
| grain | |||||||
| Americano Crema | – | – | – | 270-350 | – | – | 650-800 |
| Colombia Supreme | – | – | – | 300 | – | – | 1200 |
| Espresso Gusto | – | – | – | 250-300 | – | – | 850-1100 |
| Golden Cup In Rome | – | – | – | – | – | – | 850-1600 |
| Guatemala Cloud Forest | – | – | – | 220-300 | – | – | 1100 |
| Dessert Cup | – | – | – | 200-300 | – | 500 | – |
| Exclusive | – | – | – | 200-300 | – | – | 800-1000 |
| Italia Maggiore | – | – | – | 230-300 | – | – | – |
| soluble | |||||||
| Jardin Filigrano | 225-300 | 315-350 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Colombia Medellin | 150-200 | 220-320 | – | – | 680-700 | – | – |
| Guatemala Atitlan | 150-200 | 310-360 | 325-350 | – | – | – | – |
| Kenya Kilimanjaro | – | 150-200 | 350-400 | – | – | – | – |
| Jardin Cafe Eclair | – | – | – | 270-350 | – | – | – |
The cost of Jardin capsules (10 pieces, 5 g each) is about 315 rubles.
