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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

492 reviews

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1-star

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1.1

All reviews

(492)

446 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have been a very long time kenco drinker

I have been a very long time kenco coffee drinker.... 6 to 10 mugs a day ....

But whatever kenco have done to their instant coffee they need to reverse these changes before they have no customers left and dismiss the person who came up with this so called new recipe.... its disgusting and the muck it leaves at ghe bottom of the mug makes me want to puke ..... im actively looking for a new brand .... kenco you have lost this customer .....

20 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Been a kenco smooth drinker for well…

Been a kenco smooth drinker for well years and years not any more the new one is disgusting burnt taste amd leave horrible black rings around top of cup amd a thick black sludge at bottom of cup unable to drink jar in bin and will never buy again .

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Instant coffee goes pear shaped

Kenco have probably decided to cut costs by using cheaper beans or a blend thereof. There is practically no taste at all, what a shame. Another issue is the "crud" left over in a mug or cup. Again it appears that Kenco have cust costs by increasing their filter sizes that remove it. These changes will drive customers away especially if Kenco has aquired other previously good brands.
D Egbert were probably the first to do this as I noticed a change abt 2-3 years ago. One does not get a reply only an automated we are sorry etc etc. I will not touch their brands now and found m&s brazilian coffee to be better tasting. I purchase small jars to test with, but their italian coffee is just as bad as the above brands. Trial and error.

19 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

New Kenco blend is awful.

I have been drinking kenco rich for many years and I loved it. I am disgusted at the taste and experience with you new blend. You can't even call it coffee. Kenco rich was my one luxury and you've taken it away. I will never buy Kenco again.
So sad that you can do this to loyal customers 😢

15 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

What in earth happened to my favourite…

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. Have to find new coffee and fast. Really disappointed ☹️

19 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

When companies abuse their customers…

When companies abuse their customers like this they can only deserve to go under. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
The rebrand was not only an insulting shrinkflation, it changed the recipe to undrinkable. As others have mentioned, it doesn't dissolve properly, leaves residue in the cup and tastes bad. So Kenco, do tell us why you have so little self respect and no respect at all for your customers to pull this kind of crap?

19 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

You can 'improve' your recent …

You can 'improve' your recent downgrade of Kenko coffee by returning it to it's original formula.

The new formula tastes, bitter, cheap and disatisfying.

Time to change brands.

19 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Kenco Rich following its recent formula…

Kenco Rich following its recent formula overhaul is nowhere as good. The powdery content is noticeable not only to the tongue but leave a sludge like deposit in the mug. I suggest they look at what happened when Coca-Cola , Nesquik Milkshake,Tropica, not to mention Cadbury's dark chocolate (oily with palm oil) all changed a successful product. I've left Cadburys and now leaving Kenco. It costs a company 5 time more to get new customers than keeping existing ones, still it's their business.

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

After years enjoying Kenco now

After years enjoying Kenco now, due to both the awful taste and residue of their new recipe as well as their shrinkflation I am moving to another brand for my coffee

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Really wish they’d go back to the old…

Really wish they’d go back to the old recipe. We will be changing our coffee brand now the taste of Kenco now is not the same leaves the coffee cup covered in small undissolved coffee (doesn’t matter how much you stir it) and much weaker than it used to be. REALLY DISAPPOINTED I don’t mind the smaller new design and paying the price for a decent coffee isn’t a problem but paying for this is not happening.

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We get Kenco at work

We get Kenco at work. I thought I had a 'gone off' pack, but the next was the same. Then found out it had changed.
Smells funny, doesn't taste as nice, and had scummy stuff sticking to my mug.
Has gone from my favourite to 'not drinking this any more'. Such a shame for what was a nice product.

14 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sent to their email

Sent to their email, which is not receiving mail anymore?
Hi,

Just a quick note as I have just thrown out, my latest jar of Kenco smooth (or NOT any longer) as you obviously put profit for shareholders, over your customers interests. Sad really, and I hope it costs JDE.Peet’s, millions.
Leave the coffee alone. Insulting to say, you are doing us a favour. I will be trying L’or coffee, on my way home from work, and I will look for my receipt for last jar of yours, and ask for a refund, as it is not the product I expected.
I never thought I would find a Company, that would exceed the bad reviews and score on Trustpilot, as Hermes/Evri, but you have managed it. Same on Facebook. I can hear it now, in the conference room . . “Just make the changes, we achieve more profit, and the stupid customers, will never know”
Somebody shot themselves in the foot, with that decision . . . “If it’s not broke, then don’t try to fix it”
15 + years I have been giving you my money, for an every day bit of enjoyment, now ruined.

I wish you nothing but grief, for this stupid mistake you have made.
Regards, Bob.

16 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Whatever they have done

Whatever they have done, Kenco Smooth is barely drinkable! You have muddy awful tasting residue in the bottom of the cup. Absolutely dreadful. Won't be buying it any longer

17 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sludgy residue and weird flavour

I have been buying Kenco Rich for years but this "re-brand" has left me with several jars of coffee I can't drink and the issue of finding a suitable alternative. The new Kenco Rich coats my mug in a very "rich" brown residue, leaves a thick sludge in the bottom of the mug such that the last half inch of coffee is undrinkable and has a distinctly weird flavour. 200g jars now have 190g, 100g jars have 95g! Currently the refill packs still have 150g but no doubt that will change too - less coffee, a large portion of it wasted down the sink, plus higher prices! Time to ditch Kenco!

17 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Kenco rich was my favorite go to…

Kenco rich has been my favorite go to instant coffee for many years. It has changed recently. Ok I accept with upset that they changed to a smaller jar with price increase. However the quality and taste has also changed it is no longer rich and intense , it taste weak and cheap.. why change a product that works and people are happy with. There's only 1 reason GReeD. Hopefully I find a happy substitute...

18 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

After being a long term drinker ofr Kenco blue

After being a long term drinker of Kenco blue, I find this sorry substitute as awful. I drink 2oo gm a week at home. I brought what I now know to be a rebrand, using the same front label and making the taste disgusting. I now have 4 jars that I have brought when it was on offer, not knowing you had changed the taste totally. It is now bitter and leaves a horrible taste in your mouth and a bad residue in the cup. I am looking for a new brand.

14 September 2026
Unprompted review

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