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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

Kenco gone down the pan!

Not only has Kenco succumbed to the awful practice of Shrinkflation trying to duper customers but they have changed not only the jars but the recipe. I have enjoyed Kenco Rich coffee for years but will not be buying anymore. The taste is weaker and there is always a disgusting powdery sludge left on the bottom of the cup. The jars were always easily identified by their coloured lids but now you have to check the labels, not always easy on a supermarket shelf. Please revert to the old jars and the old recipes otherwise another customer is going elsewhere.

24 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I contacted Kenco regarding the new…

I contacted Kenco regarding the new taste red top coffee. It’s absolutely VILE. I’ve drank it for years as I’m not a tea drinker. I think at this point mellow birds tastes better. It’s a horrible taste and leaves a vile taste in the mouth. My cups are all marked. Why change something that doesn’t need to be changed?!?! Come on Kenco please revert back. Kenco apologised about the sludge in the mug but not about the changes.

24 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed & Unhappy Customer

I placed my usual order for Kenco Rich and noticed the colour of the jar/refill packaging had changed from blue to red. After tasting it I was not happy with the flavour. It just doesn’t taste or smell the same. It leaves that dark sludge at the bottom like you’d get in fresh ground coffee. Such a shame! I have been drinking this coffee for years. Always loved the smell as you opened the lid. Rich tasting without the bitterness and definitely no residue around the cup as you drank it or sludge at the bottom. Now they have changed it. I will definitely be using another brand. Why oh why did they need to change the flavour. Bring back the original brand ‘Please’

16 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Been drinking Kenco smooth and rich for…

Been drinking Kenco smooth and rich for years and happy with it, now all of a sudden changed formula and it is crap taste and has sludge in the bottom of the cup. I like many others are moving on. Cannot understand the thinking, why destroy such a good brand?????

24 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Oh, Kenko

Oh, Kenko what have you done? Kenko rich has been my favourite for years. Now you have changed it, and I really don't like the brown sludge at the bottom of my cup. Think I will be buying a different coffee. The price of coffee is to expensive for me to not enjoy every cup! 😝 Sorry Kenko.

23 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Coffee ingredients changed.

We couldn’t see the blue lid jar, so we settled for the red lid Kenco. Unaware of the changes or size. The difference in size is not an issue but, my husband knew straight away that the recipe had changed.
So on looking it up, we now know why he didn’t like it. As others have said, it tastes bitter and leaves a sludge behind in the cup.
So now we have a full jar of “coffee” that won’t be finished. He is now trying other brands. So sorry Kenco, he’s been drinking the old recipe for years and now you have lost another loyal customer. You should have left it alone and put the price up.
Never fix what is not broken.

14 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

New recipe is awful

New recipe is awful, added “finely ground coffee” taste is now horrible. Have been buying Kenco Smooth for years but will switch to different brand now as it is no longer nice.

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

New blend is terrible.

We have loved Kenco Instant for as long as can remember, using two large jars a month as a family. Unfortunately, with no prior warning its taste and consistency profile has completely changed and not for the better. It tastes like an inferior cheap brand and the grittiness is awful. Whichever taste panel thought this was pallatable boggles the mind. Please announce when you bring the old superior blend back and we would purchase again. Until then we are searching for a new instant brand.

15 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco Rich - sludge and bitter, no thanks

Having purchased above product Kenco Rich for over 10 years plus, as favourite go to coffee - I purchased two jars @ Morrisons to find the TASTE has changed - WHY??
Yes packaging has changed, less contents 🙄 in new style jar, lid colour changed - ingredients changed! Mugs per jar changed SAY IT HAS CHANGED FFS, don’t just dress it up as same (8711000519448 was good coffee) very very disappointed, now to try to find a good coffee to replace this! VERY annoyed was loyal customer - explanation of logic appreciated???
DON’T BUY IT, now bitter and sludge WTAF was the thought process - farewell old friend

22 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed with Kenco rich

Very disappointed with Kenco rich - New blend bitter and leaves sludge in the bottom of the mug. I noted on the old jar ingredients 100% freeze dried instant coffee But the new jar has 90% instant10% roast and ground. Plus the jar smaller and contents less, but prices continue to rise.
I have been drinking it for years it was far and away the best blend. But not now!

22 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I've been a fan of kenco really rich…

I've been a fan of kenco really rich coffee for years, but anymore since the change in the recipe. I could understand the shrinkflation. But the new recipe with powdered coffee added bulk it out leaves a powdery film around the rim of my mug & a bitter brown sluge in the bottom.
Will be looking for a alternative.

19 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Why did you change it

Why did you change it? Drank it for years, the only one we buy
But you changed it! It's nasty! Tastes different and nasty residue left in mug
Guess it was done to reduce costs like everything at the moment but this change will not improve profit, it will destroy it
Loyal purchasers are walking away
Kenco you messed up!

22 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco Rich flavour turned to mud.

There was a noticeable change recently in the taste of our regular coffee of choice, Kenco rich. There is a bitterness to the coffee and a heavy sludge in the bottom of the cup. I switched to Kenco Gold and a lower strength but it's disappointing. I searched the Internet for queries relating to similar experience and I'm not alone. I never noticed the reduction in size for same price, just the different taste. Disappointed. I'm going to explore other brands for a better coffee. I don't mind paying a little extra for something I really like, it becomes a treat, not an all day cuppa. I bet Kenco will notice a difference in their profits too.

22 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Oh dear Kenco - why?

Same as the other comments. Sludge at the bottom of the cup, degraded taste, greedy accountants. I've commented to bring the score down even further and I encourage others to do so. Perhaps then the company will take note and remedy this dreadful change.

21 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Coffee taste is not the same and the…

Coffee taste is not the same and the bottom of the mug has a powder residue left behind. Bought 2 refill pack and thought that was the issue, then got new jars. Its all the same. Wont be buying it anymore. Have drank kenco smooth exclusively for years until now. Price has gone up and the quantity has gone down but the final straw was the quality.

22 September 2026
Unprompted review

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