Costa Coffee

[Barsel]

Yesterday I had a Costa coffee, the first one I've ever had in my life!
I must admit I'm not one for going out for a coffee, and when I do, I never know which to choose so I just go for an Americano.
Usually have 2 or 3 coffees a day at home, but just made with instant coffee and milk.
What can I do to make it taste different?
Not wanting to buy an expensive machine for fresh coffee, I was wondering is there something I could do with the milk, perhaps make it frothy.
Pretty sure the Costa coffee had frothy milk in it and although I thought it tasted 'different' I wasn't over impressed.
It was just a takeaway though and not made in a Costa shop.
How do you like your coffee?
I'm open to suggestions even if it means buying a machine although I don't want anything big or too expensive.

[Redhelen72]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Barsel]

Thanks for the link helen, they're cheap enough.

[Redhelen72]

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/SearchResults/espresso%20ground%20coffee

[carrot99]

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/301175089

Taylor's Coffee Bags were recommended here some time ago. They taste very nice and you use them just like tea bags. More expensive in the long run than buying ground coffee and a machine but very quick and convenient to use.

[Ellipsis]

This is a great little coffee machine for filter coffee:

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/20680/russell-hobbs-20680-coffee-machine

And this is a nice coffee to go in it:

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/251786347

If you want something snazzier than filter coffee, without costing the earth or being really fiddly ... I have a Nespresso Vertuo Plus with an Aeroccino frother. You can do a lot with that combination, with only a little bit of effort:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/small-kitchen-appliances/coffee-machines-and-accessories/coffee-machines/nespresso-by-magimix-vertuo-plus-coffee-machine-with-aeroccino-silver-10187267-pdt.html

[theshedman]

I just buy these in Tesco or most supermarkets and they are fine for the house and saves gettting a machine. Kenco also do them and they are in all the different types of coffee. Most of the types Costa do. Maybe not quite the same but most are acceptable. The only times I have actually bought coffee in costa they have not been very hot.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/296141967

[Mamyalynne]

I'm rather glad I am not a huge fan of 'proper' coffee - I do exactly as Shedman does and they make a nice change from endless cups of tea.

[theshedman]

I do add an extra best part of a spoon of kenco to them usually Mamyalynne. A bit more taste then.

[Ellipsis]

A true barista, theshedman!

[Barsel]

I like the look of those coffee bags that shedman has put on as there are different flavours to choose from and 1 a day as a treat sounds good.
I'm also leaning towards the Russell Hobbs coffee machine that Ellipsis has put on although the one from Currys looks good, it's a bit out of my price range.
Thanks to all of you, you have given me good info to choose from. xx

[theshedman]

That's me Ellipsis. Got enough machines in the kitchen that only get used once or twice so don't really want any more and it's more to clean.

[Musictv2019]

I only drink got chocolate when I go to Costa coffee and tea at home.