In a blind taste test conducted by Japan’s reputable MONOQLO magazine, a panel of coffee experts ranked 10 popular unsweetened coffee concentrates, with convenience store giant 7-Eleven taking the crown and Starbucks trailing in fifth place.
For busy Hongkongers working from home or enjoying a lazy day indoors, the allure of a quick, quality coffee is undeniable. Instant coffee concentrates—those small, portable liquid shots—have surged in popularity, promising a perfect iced Americano or latte with just a splash of water or milk. But with shelves overflowing with options, how does one choose? To answer this, MONOQLO magazine recruited Sanae Tomita, a certified coffee specialist and president of the Japan Coffee Planning Association, to conduct a rigorous blind test of 10 best-selling sugar-free coffee concentrates.
The Judging Criteria
The experts evaluated each product based on three core pillars:
- Taste: How closely does the concentrate mimic the flavor profile of authentic brewed iced coffee?
- Aroma: An assessment of the coffee’s fragrance intensity and quality.
- Repeat Purchase Potential: Would the overall experience compel a consumer to buy it again?
Top-Tier Triumph: The A-List Winners
Gold Medal (1st Place): 7-Eleven 7-Premium Unsweetened Coffee Concentrate
In a surprising upset, the convenience store’s private-label brew swept the competition. Tomita praised its deep, rich bitterness and a full-bodied mouthfeel that delivers a clean, satisfying finish. The concentrate was lauded for its ability to faithfully replicate the character of a freshly brewed coffee, with an exceptionally enticing aroma. The panel noted its versatility, performing equally well as a black iced coffee or a creamy latte. The conclusion was unanimous: this is the ultimate go-to for a quick, high-quality fix.
Silver Medal (2nd Place): UCC THE BLEND Unsweetened Iced Coffee Concentrate
The runner-up offered a different but equally compelling experience. While its bitterness was slightly milder, the UCC blend impressed with its smooth, refreshing texture and a clean, light profile that is exceptionally easy to drink. The experts highlighted its pure coffee fragrance and strongly recommended pairing it with milk, which reportedly elevates the flavor to a richer and more complex level.
The Mid-Pack Battleground: B-Grade Rankings
3rd Place: AGF BLENDY Unsweetened Coffee Concentrate
A familiar staple for many, this product delivered characteristic nutty and caramel notes. While the balance was decent, the panel found the coffee flavor too weak, resulting in moderate overall satisfaction.
4th Place: SUNTORY CRAFT BOSS Unsweetened Coffee Concentrate
Despite high expectations, this offering received lukewarm reviews. Tasters noted a higher acidity, though the texture remained surprisingly smooth and non-irritating, with high value for money being its strongest selling point.
5th Place: Nestlé Japan STARBUCKS Unsweetened Handcrafted Coffee
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the test. Nestlé’s Starbucks-branded concentrate possesses a sweet chocolate aroma, but experts criticized what they described as an overpowering artificial flavor that masked the coffee’s natural bitterness. Priced higher than many competitors, its value proposition was deemed low, with the panel suggesting it might be better suited for cooking and plating dishes than drinking.
6th Place (Tie): Nestlé Japan NESCAFE EXCELLA Unsweetened Coffee
This drink offered a refreshing, easy-to-consume profile with an alcohol-laced chocolate undertone. However, it was ultimately deemed lacking in the robust, typical coffee aroma that drinkers crave.
7th Place: DOUTOR COFFEE Unsweetened Coffee Concentrate
Tasters were off-put by a faint “burnt soy sauce” scent. The overall flavor was described as flat and unremarkable, with a suggestion to dilute it less than usual to salvage any coffee character.
8th Place: KALDI Unsweetened Coffee Concentrate
While the finish offered a trace of coffee bitterness, the panel felt this product fell short of Kaldi’s typically high standard for coffee beans, leaving a taste of disappointment.
Bottom of the Barrel: C-Grade Products
9th Place: ITO EN TULLY’S COFFEE Espresso Base (Unsweetened)
Despite being marketed as an espresso base, the tasters found this product severely lacking in the bold, bitter punch expected from an espresso, instead presenting an unpleasantly high level of acidity.
10th Place: Nestlé Japan NESCAFE Espresso Base (Unsweetened)
Ranking dead last, this concentrate was critiqued for having virtually no detectable coffee bitterness and the weakest aroma of all the tested products.
The Broader Impact
This study serves as a vital resource for convenience-seeking coffee lovers, proving that brand recognition does not always equal superior taste. The triumph of a private-label product like 7-Premium signals a shift in consumer value, where affordability and surprising quality can dethrone industry giants. For Hong Kong consumers navigating the busy aisles of local supermarkets and convenience stores, the takeaway is clear: the best cup of instant iced coffee may come from the most unexpected place.
For those looking to delve deeper into the world of coffee testing, MONOQLO has also published comparative rankings for coffee beans and instant coffee powders, offering further guidance for discerning drinkers.