France

What are we doing starting the week with another one of these French Cheapies? Because we live on the edge, that's why. We wern't expecting much from this one but we did notice how finely ground it is, so we took the initiative to make it a bit weaker. And it worked! By which I mean it didn't taste of an old pub ashtray, which is what we've come to expect of these French bargain coffees. It did smell of ashtrays though - so if you hold your nose and glug it down I think you can give it a 4/10!

Another French cheapy... 1.50EUR a pack. The smell out of the pack is definitely only one and half Euros worth - the smell of value coffee. But the taste is not that bad - it IS drinkable. Not in a lick your lips kind of way - but you would certainly glug it down on that winter ski trip in your chalet without too many complaints. Judges rating, a workman-like 5/10

Lavazza has always been a judge favorite as the quality big brand coffee. This was a French bought cheap version though - well under 2 Euros a pack. The powder is a very light brown - which is always worrying. It's definitely strong but tastes very dry, with the "cheap coffee twang". I can't believe that there is such a thing as a sub-standard Lavazza so we'll re-make it with only four spoons and see what happens. Initial rating 5/10