In Ukraine, coffee at gas stations and catering establishments was checked

Experts from the "Institute of Consumer Expertise," together with colleagues from the Institute of Food Resources of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, undertook a comparative analysis of the quality of coffee offered to drivers and visitors at gas stations, fast-food establishments, and large supermarkets.

The highest demand among coffee drinks is for "Americano" and "cappuccino," so these items became the focus of the inspection. Samples were purchased from leading chains in each segment: among gas stations — WOG and KLO; among fast food — McDonald's and KFC; among grocery retailers — ATB and Silpo; as well as from coffee shops GRKY and AromaKava.

During testing, specialists evaluated the physicochemical indicators of the drinks: the strength of the "Americano" and the stability of the foam in the "cappuccino." Additionally, a tasting committee conducted an organoleptic analysis, paying attention to strength, aroma, taste qualities, and texture.

"Cappuccino"

Preparing a quality "cappuccino" requires good ingredients and reliable equipment. It is important that the taste of coffee and milk harmoniously combine, and the foam stands out for its density and elasticity. It was precisely these characteristics that distinguished the drinks from WOG and KLO gas stations, as well as from McDonald's. The foam lasted the longest in the cappuccino from WOG — 9 minutes 37 seconds. For comparison, it settled fastest in the drink from the vending machine at Silpo — in just 1 minute 17 seconds.

In terms of taste parameters, cappuccinos from WOG and KLO again led. Experts noted their successful balance of coffee and milk, an optimal 1:4 ratio, and a pronounced aroma. In the end, WOG received 17 points, KLO — 15. The lowest scores went to drinks from GRKY (8 points) and Silpo (9 points). The reasons were a weak coffee taste, excessive milk, and off-flavors.

Cappuccino test results, October 2022:

"Americano"

The recipe for "Americano" is simpler, but quality raw materials and reliable equipment are still essential. This drink should have richness, a velvety and characteristic aroma with a slight coffee-milk note, and a balanced taste. The highest total score was achieved by the sample from WOG — 35. Second place was shared by McDonald's and AromaKava, each scoring 33 points. The weakest results were shown by drinks from ATB (18 points) and Silpo (21 points) — experts noted a disrupted balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness in them.

Americano test results, October 2022:

Conclusions

The study's conclusion: the best coffee should be sought at gas stations, and there is a logical explanation for this. Chains like WOG and the capital's KLO sell millions of cups annually, and this is a significant part of their profit. Therefore, they invest in coffee machines whose cost is comparable to the price of a budget car and carefully control all factors affecting taste: regular bean deliveries, water preparation, and equipment maintenance. Drivers, in turn, are a demanding audience, as they once made freshly brewed coffee a mass product and effectively displaced instant drinks, forming a new consumption culture about ten years ago. In fast-food establishments and grocery chains, coffee is just an additional service without high demand, so the compromise here is more obvious: more modest coffee machines and possibly more economical raw materials. However, the price difference between a cup of coffee at a gas station and at other points is only a few hryvnias.