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.
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.
Product range
To produce the drink, Arabica beans grown in Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala and other countries of Central and South America are used. The consumer is offered coffee of various strengths. On the packaging, the level of roasting and strength of the drink are indicated by numbers - 3, 4, 5. The assortment of grain, ground and instant drinks includes over ten items with a recognizable great aroma, an original rich taste with sourness, characteristic of each brand. Lovers of bitter coffee should choose varieties marked with numbers 4 and 5. For those who prefer a mild taste rather than a sweetish taste, drinks marked with number 3 are suitable.
Coffee Jardin produces products in beans and in soluble form
There are three product brands on the market: Specialty Coffee - exclusive selected single-origin Arabica beans and ground ones, Gourmet Coffee - exquisite mixtures of various varieties of Arabica beans and ground ones, Freeze Dried - instant freeze-dried coffee brands.
Description of coffee
Our article aims to convey to the reader the benefits of Jardin Colombia Medellin instant coffee, one of the best inexpensive Russian-Swiss brands.
There is an opinion that instant coffee drink is made from low-quality beans and does not have sufficient strength and richness of taste. This opinion is inappropriate in this case. The advantages of instant coffee are:
- quick preparation, no coffee maker or Turk required;
- no sourness, mild taste;
- dissolves quickly when brewing;
- does not leave sediment or coffee grounds.
Freeze-dried natural coffee of the highest quality Colombia Medellin is made from noble Arabica beans, medium or dark roasted. It has an exquisite tart chocolate taste with floral notes. Belongs to the category of strong invigorating drinks (5). The finished drink, rich in color, fills the room with a magnificent smoky, enchanting aroma. When brewed, an appetizing foam forms.
Preparation method : 2 teaspoons of granules, 1 tsp of sugar per 200 ml of water will add caramel-sweet notes to the drink. In this case, coffee and sugar must first be ground and whipped in a warm cup, and then poured (not boiling water!) with hot water (90 degrees). Pairs well with cinnamon, milk or cream.
Let's name other brands of the Freeze Dried brand produced by the company:
- Filigrano – has a deep aroma of fresh ground coffee and a pleasant chocolate-creamy taste;
- Guatemala Atitlan – strong Guatemalan coffee with a fruity aftertaste;
- Kenya Kilimanjaro is a drink with an aftertaste of apricot, vanilla, a subtle fruity aroma, and goes very well with milk.
The fact that this brand of coffee is constantly served at celebrations of national and international significance (the presentation of the Golden Sofit theater award, the international theater festival named after A.P. Chekhov), and has become the official drink of these events, indicates the highest taste characteristics. It contains no artificial additives, only natural flavors and high-quality coffee beans are used.
The product is sold in vacuum packaging and does not lose its taste during storage. Below we will dwell on the advantages of the popular grain types of the Jardine company's product (the degree of roasting is indicated in brackets).
Types of Jardin coffee
In beans:
- Bravo Brazilia – dark roast (4), with chocolate flavor.
- Sumatra Mandheling is an Indonesian coffee with a strong roast (5), with a chocolate flavor with hints of saffron and mild acidity. It has a special aroma of sandalwood and dried tobacco leaf. Ground beans make excellent espresso. Doesn't go well with milk and cream.
- Ethiopia Euphoria – Medium roast (3) with soft, ripe fruit flavors. Coarse grinding and preparation in a coffee maker or French press is recommended.
- Colombia Supremo – dark roast (5) with a balanced fruity-chocolate flavor, a nutmeg aftertaste and an orange tree aroma. It is recommended to cook in a Turkish oven.
Ground:
- Mont Blanc is a blend of light roasted (2) Arabica varieties from Guatemala and Brazil with fruity and floral notes in taste, high dense foam and a charming aroma. All these qualities are more fully revealed when cooking in a cezve.
- Dessert Cur is a blend of ground coffee from different dark roast Arabica varieties (4) with a sweet chocolate aftertaste. Prepared in a Turkish or French press, you can add milk and cream.
- Espresso di Milano is one of the strongest Jardin drinks, a blend of three varieties of Arabica with the addition of Robusta, dark roasted with a rich chocolate flavor with almond bitterness. Recommended for making espresso.
- Americano Grema is a mixture of light-roasted Brazilian Arabica varieties with a classic taste and characteristic sourness, golden-nutty foam. Suitable for making Americano coffee.
Today In-Fi Coffee
Expert opinion: “Not bad, there is Arabica, there is sourness, there is an invigorating note.”
But the people’s experts didn’t like the coffee at all, it was “sour,” they all said in one voice, and put it in last place.
Manufacturer: Colombia. Ingredients: natural instant freeze-dried coffee, natural roasted ground coffee. 100% Arabica product. The text on the packaging states that this coffee is made using a unique technology that protects ground coffee from oxidation and contains roasted ground coffee inside instant coffee crystals.
Assortment of ground coffee Jardin
When planning to buy ground coffee, remember the main rule: to ensure long-term preservation of the original taste and full bouquet of aromas, a conscientious manufacturer packs the products in foil vacuum packaging. The Russian brand Jardine does not skimp on packaging material, providing the consumer with a full range of amazing flavors of real Arabica coffee.
The range of ground coffee includes:
- Dessert Cup with a honey aftertaste, the cost of a 250-gram pack is 200 rubles;
- Espresso di Milano is a dark roasted Brazilian blend with an average price of 220 rubles. for 250 grams;
- Americano Crema, which has a slight sourness and an original light aroma (average price - 250 rubles per 250 grams);
- Colombia Supremo with a charming chocolate taste. A high-strength drink with a 250-gram pack costing 300 rubles.
Interesting! The most popular is the Jardin Dessert Cup. The drink forms the most delicate crema, but at the same time the strongest in the brand’s line. But every coffee lover must independently select his favorite variety or blend through tasting.
Among other products, Sumatra Mandheling is considered an interesting product, consisting of Arabica beans from the island of Sumatra. The exquisite mixture has a magnificent flavor bouquet, including the aromas of spicy spices. The blend will be of interest to connoisseurs of strong coffee without sourness. The cost of such ground coffee is approximately 320 rubles. for 250 grams.
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.”
Assortment of coffee beans
Jardin bean products are found in sealed packages weighing 100, 250, 500 grams, 1 kg. Some blends are exclusive blends that have an exquisite bouquet of aromas and an unusual aftertaste.
Let's look at the best brand blends with an average price per 250 grams:
- Espresso di Milano has a spicy bitterness with an almond flavor and is characterized by dark roasting, giving a sweetish-tart flavor (from 220 rubles);
- Americano Crema – a perfect balance of three varieties of Arabica with barely noticeable acidity (light roast, from 270 rubles);
- Dessert Cup features a vibrant palette of fruity tones with a hint of honey. Rich aroma with taste strength “4” (from 190 rub.);
- Colombia Supremo will surprise coffee fans with chocolate shades and decent strength. Medium roasted beans are suitable for any cooking method (from 300 rubles);
- Exclusive refers to products designed specifically for coffee machines. A unique blend combines grains from India, Guatemala, and Nicaragua (from 200 rubles);
- Espresso Gusto is a piquant drink with thick foam for fans of real espresso. Contains 3 varieties of Arabica, price – from 170 rubles;
- Ethiopia Sidamo has become famous for its apricot aftertaste along with enticing fruity notes. Medium roasted beans have a saturation of “3”, originally from Ethiopia (from 210 rubles);
- Italia Maggiore comes from Central America with an amazing velvety aftertaste. Arabica is intended for preparing the strongest espresso (from 230 rubles);
- Barocco Siciliano is an ideal strong blend with a slight acidity, which forms a thick, lush foam when brewed. It has an interesting sweetish taste (supplied in industrial packages of 1 kg - from 1400 rubles);
- Guatemala Cloud Forest has gained a special loyalty among coffee connoisseurs. Medium roasted grain has an individual feature - a berry aroma with a slight sweet aftertaste (from 220 rubles);
- Golden Cup In Rome is one of the most sophisticated blends, combining beautiful golden foam with a surprisingly delicate taste (for a 1 kg package the consumer will pay approximately 1,600 rubles).
Important! When choosing Jardin brand coffee, pay attention to the number printed on the packaging by the manufacturer. It indicates the strength of the drink. For admirers of softer blends, “3” is suitable, for gourmets of strong drinks – “4” and “5”.
Jardin coffee range
Jardin brand products are represented by two large groups: Specialty - coffee made from one type of bean, and Gourmet - a blended product. A detailed overview of the different types of coffee gives an idea of how wide the Jardin range is available to the buyer today.
Ground
The choice of ground Jardin is quite large:
- Espresso Di Milano is an ideal option for preparing classic espresso. The product is a blend of three Arabica varieties. You can catch notes of almonds, honey and chocolate in it.
- Ethiopia Sidamo is an elite variety of the Specialty category. It is believed that the taste of this coffee is so rich that only a barista using a professional coffee machine can fully reveal it. At home, it is better to prepare the drink in a French press. The beans have a pleasant bitterness and caramel aftertaste, seductive shades of bergamot and apricot.
- Colombia Supremo is another single variety. Chocolate, nuts, vanilla are not all the shades of this coffee. The most unexpected and original is the aroma of orange tree petals.
- Dessert Cup combines 5 different varieties of Arabica. The best “tool” for preparing the drink is an ordinary Turk. Coffee gives you the opportunity to enjoy the aroma of honey and chocolate. In addition, it has an original nutty aftertaste. Dessert Cup goes well with milk and cream.
- Americano Crema, as the name of the variety suggests, will especially appeal to fans of Americano. It contains several varieties of light roasted Arabica. The drink is characterized by pleasant sourness and floral notes.
- The peculiarity of Guatemala Cloud Forest is that this variety is made from harder beans than other types of Arabica (this is their natural feature). The drink is best made in a coffee maker, has the aroma of ripe tropical berries and a chocolate aftertaste.
In beans
Among the grain options are the already listed ground varieties and a number of others:
- Spicy, sweet Americano Crema.
- Honey-chocolate Colombia Supremo, the strength of which will appeal to fans of the invigorating drink.
- No less strong Espresso Gusto, combining 3 varieties of Arabica, giving a thick, dense foam when brewed.
- An excellent blend of Golden Cup In Rome. The word “golden” in its name is fully justified, since the prepared drink has a beautiful golden foam.
Soluble
Jardin is represented on the instant coffee market with several noteworthy products:
- Colombia Medellin is the strongest among the instant drinks from Jardin, with spicy and floral notes.
- Kenya Kilimanjaro is a freeze-dried coffee that contains the aromas of orange peel and almonds. This variety is recommended for those who are used to drinking coffee with milk. You can find out what freeze-dried coffee is here.
- Guatemala Atitlan is soft and delicate, its aroma reminiscent of caramel.
- Filigrano is coffee with pronounced creamy notes.
In capsules
The coffee presented in this category is distinguished by a balanced blend and a very precisely adjusted dosage. Each capsule contains 5 g of compressed coffee; the package format is convenient - 10 capsules each. Brewing such a drink in modern Nespresso coffee machines guarantees wonderful results.
An important point: Jardin capsules are made from safe materials, which means they will not cause harm to health.
Jardin varieties available for sale in capsules:
- Allonge – it is distinguished by a delicate taste and light fruity aroma;
- Vanillia – with a characteristic vanilla scent;
- Andante – provides the drink with a velvety texture;
- Vivo – with an unobtrusive, soft acidity.
The strongest is the Jardin Ristretto variety (a little Indian robusta is added to it, as well as to the Jardin Andante variety, to give it a special flavor). This is the darkest roasted coffee, its taste feature is a rich bitterness.
