The honest case for a decaf instant
Look, decaf instant coffee has a bad reputation. Muddy, thin, tastes like someone described coffee to a chemist who'd never actually had one. So I went into Nescafé Gold Blend Decaf with fairly low expectations, which is probably the right starting point.
The smell when you open the jar is actually reassuring. Proper roasty, not that faintly medicinal whiff you get from some decafs. Made up with hot (not boiling) water and a splash of milk, it holds up. Rounded, mild bitterness, nothing harsh. It's not going to replace a decent espresso, but that's not the point. The point is 10pm on a Sunday when you want something warm and coffee-shaped without being wired until 2am.
Who this is actually for
People who drink a lot of coffee and feel the effects more than they used to. Anyone who's pregnant or cutting back on caffeine but doesn't want to sip herbal tea and feel sorry for themselves. Also honestly fine for the office kitchen where half the team wants decaf anyway.
Who it's not for: anyone who needs their coffee to be a proper sensory experience. The Gold Blend name carries some weight, but this is still instant. Manage expectations accordingly.
On the price
At £3.00 on Subscribe & Save with the voucher applied, a 190g jar is genuinely decent value. You're not getting a bargain of the century, but decaf jars at this size usually sit higher on the shelf. The 914 degrees of community heat on HotUKDeals suggests plenty of people agree it's a reasonable buy. Cancel the sub after the first delivery if you're not fussed about repeating.
