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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 398 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Consumers expressed deep frustration over the drastically changed coffee recipe, noting that it tastes extremely bitter, harsh, and completely unappealing compared to previous favorites. Buyers also heavily complained about the poor product quality, explaining that the drink fails to dissolve properly and leaves a thick, powdery sludge at the bottom of the cup. Additionally, people are very upset about higher prices paired with smaller jar sizes, providing much lower value for money overall. However, some customers also noted that the updated jar and packaging design looked modern, nicer, and much easier to close up securely.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers find product dissatisfaction is widespread after the recent recipe change, with reviewers noting a... See more

Quality

Reviewers express profound dissatisfaction regarding the recent recipe change, frequently reporting a bitter... See more

Price

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of price, expressing widespread frustration over recent shrinkflation... See more

Customer service

Customers had negative experiences with customer service, expressing deep frustration over unaddressed... See more

Value for money

Users describe strong disappointment regarding value for money, noting that they are getting less product in... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I can accept thr shrinkflation with the 200g jar being replaced by a 190g jar at the same price, however, the powdery residue is disgusting and totally destroys the pleasure of drinking this brand. I... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad move changing the formula of your coffee. It is now undrinkable. Tastes foul, does not dissolve properly and leaves a horrible brown sludge in the bottom or your cup and around the sides.... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Recipe changed in new har of Smooth Kenco. Leaving horrible residue around rim and in bottom of cup. When I cant find old shape bottle anymore I will stop buying Kenco. Dowe Egberts slightly more e... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What in earth happened to my favourite Kenco instant coffee!! It tastes absolutely horrendous. Bottom of cup is covered black horrid stuff and have to rince cup afterwards. Mouth feels bad afterwards.... See more


1.1

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

497 reviews

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1.1

All reviews

(497)

446 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!!

The new 10% added grounds is awful. It's ruined the flavour. It's gone from being the perfect cup of coffee to disgusting. I've been drinking kenco for 20 years and so I need to find a different brand. And I do not like ground coffee!
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!!

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I was a loyal Kenco Really Rich drinker…

I was a loyal Kenco Really Rich drinker for more than 10 years. 6+ cups a day. I bought a jar of the new recipe and it’s gritty, harsh and bitter. I’ll be searching for an alternative next time I go shopping.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Been drinking Kenco Rich for decades…

Been drinking Kenco Rich for decades and the taste is now unrecognisable. It clearly has been cheapened and now tastes like smoked sawdust with a dirty residue left in the cup. I reluctantly understand them reducing the jar size to try and con their customers that the price is still the same but the associated marketing spin is shameful. The taste is so bad words fail me, cheap supermarket own budget brands are now superior. I have had to bin the jar rather than risk drinking it, it doesn't even smell like coffee.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I tried the Kenco "Unsweetened Taste"…

I tried the Kenco "Unsweetened Taste" Cappucino for the first time as it had a low sugar content , and was very disappointed. I had heard a lot about Kenco but this is the first time I tried it. The end result was watery, lacked creaminess and lacked the taste of coffee. Overall a bad experience, which resulted in my throwing away the rest of the sachets. Will stick with Nescafe in the future.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Kenco smooth has changed and NOT for the better

Just purchased kenco smooth, my favourite coffee for several years. Unfortunately. I found the new batch to be more bitter with sludgy residue,definitely not what I was expecting or want. I checked Google to see if any changes have been made and yes it seems quite a few and none for the better. Whoever does the testing should be sacked! Now have coffee I dont like and worse, have to try and find another brand instead, which could take ages and a lot of wasted money purchasing coffees I dont enjoy. Kenco should seriously consider a revert back, but Im guessing it's all down to cost savings rather than customer satisfaction.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Coffee tastes different lately with…

Coffee tastes different lately with alot of dirty brown left in bottom of cup no matter how much it is stirred.
Unfortunately I still have 2 190 grm jars which I purchased in Dunnes Stores but wo t be buying it again
Esther Walsh

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Wouldn't even give one star if I didn't…

Wouldn't even give one star if I didn't have to. The new recipe coffee is absolutley awful it has a bitter taste and leaves a sludge at the bottom of the cup, I have gone out of my way to buy Kenko coffee for years and years and now no more. To add insult to injury there is 10g less per jar which equates to 5/6 cups and sold at the same price.

2 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The quiet removal of 10grams of coffee…

The quiet removal of 10grams of coffee from the large jars, was bad enough. But what really angers me, is the recipe change. I don't know what they have added, but I suspect it is another ' stretching' ingredient, to save them more money. However, it is false economy. I won't buy Kenco again, because the new blend is unpleasant and leaves a sludgy tidemark and I suspect I won't be the only one leaving the brand behind. It's shame, but in the end the only way to maintain brand loyalty, is to maintain the brand and they just haven't done that.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco...what have you done!!!

I've been a loyal Kenco smooth drinker for about 15 years, wouldn't buy anything else....however whatever they've done to change their recipe is absolutely awful !! Taste has changed and the awful sludge it leaves at the bottom makes me feel sick :( Having to find a new brand now!

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I’ve been a loyal Kenco drinker for…

I’ve been a loyal Kenco drinker for many years, but I have to ask, what have they done?! My daughter drinks the blue and I drink the red. We both agree that it’s now weaker, less tasty and, what on earth is that sludge that is left at the bottom of the cup?? I’m sure the company will hide behind the ‘better for the environment’ crap but, come on Kenco, switch it back before your sales go down! I’m already looking for an alternative as I’m sure many others are.

3 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Devastated Kenco has changed its taste

Devastated Kenco has changed its taste. It bitter and not as rich as before. Can’t get used to it. No choice now but to find another really rich brand! Why why why change it , it was delicious and I've been using Kenco products for many years!! Sad to go!

2 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco Instant Gone to Pot Coffee

Kenco Instant Gone to Pot Coffee

I have been drinking Kenco Rich Blend Instant for years... Recently the blend provides all the pleasure of coffee grounds strained through an old sock.... when they see there sales plummet someone will be looking for a new job... I will never buy kenco again pure disgusting... do not insult your taste buds this is not coffee any more

2 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Changed Kenco and ruined it

Changed Kenco and ruined it. The smooth brand is horrible , coffee sludge on top and bottom of cup, no longer tastes anything like Kenco. Don't think the new shaped jar but smaller size for same price didn't go unnoticed either. Will no longer be buying.

2 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What have you done

What have you done! Not happy at all. Will be trying to buy as much of the old Kenco rich as I can. Really not happy with new formula it’s the worst and so cheap tasting. Doesn’t desolve at all. Won’t be buying the new jars again so another customer lost.

1 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Packets are nowhere near as good as jars

I've used kenco rich coffee in jars for quite sometime and always been happy with it, until I tried the same product in the refill packets and found it to be no where near as good, there was black gritty bits floating on top and a black sediment in the bottom of the cup, something that I have never had using the jars. It had the same taste but not the same enjoyable experience and was wondering if it was actually the same product.

29 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We have been kenco drinkers for years

We have been kenco drinkers for years, time to try another brand as this is now absolutely disgusting no where near how it used to be,lack of taste,sediment all round the cup and in the bottom 😳 so very disappointed, wake up and smell the coffee kenco!!!

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenko Smooth Disgusting

I’ve been drinking Kenko Smooth for over 20 years but the quality of this product is unacceptable it’s bitter and leaves a disgusting taste and residue at the bottom of my cup, I will not be purchasing this coffee again!!!!!!!

1 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco Sludge

Well that's me done with Kenco coffee, has been my go to for years but since the change I will no longer buy it. Black sludge in the bottom of my mug, terrible bitter taste and grains that no longer dissolve fully, looks like you guys screwed up. It's a goodbye from me.

1 September 2026
Unprompted review

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