I’ve bought dozens of Lidl items but one stands out — I buy it weekly

When looking to keep your weekly shopping bill as low as possible, you’ve got to be smart about where you go. Having spent years putting various supermarkets to the test, I’ve often found that Lidl is the best value for money.

Anyone who lives close to a Lidl will know that it’s hard to resist visiting every day. The bakery is outstanding and the rewards system is one of the best out of all the supermarkets, in my opinion. I’ve tried my fair share of Lidl items, but if I had to narrow it down, there’s one I use literally every day and couldn’t live without.

The highlight of any morning is brewing a coffee and enjoying it before the working day begins. Investing in a coffee machine has saved me hundreds of pounds on takeaway drinks, though the pods themselves aren’t always that affordable.

That is, unless you shop at Lidl. Their espresso pods are so underrated, particularly having tried so many other brands over the years, from Lavazza to Starbucks.

Even when stacked up against other supermarket own-brand pods, Lidl consistently emerges as the obvious frontrunner. Rich, smooth and delicious, they’re ideal for making a flat white first thing in the morning. As you’d expect, they’re stocked in the tea and coffee aisle, available in several varieties including Ristretto and Lungo, so there’s something for everyone.

The Bellarom capsules are also the most affordable I’ve seen, at least in supermarkets. A pack of 20 costs £2.89, meaning each capsule works out at just 14p, which is very good value, especially when a pack of 10 Starbucks pods costs £4.15 at Sainsbury’s.

I’ve recommended these pods to so many people, and they’ve consistently been as happy as I am. Other supermarket-own pods I’ve tried tend to taste watery and lack strength, which is far from ideal when it’s 6.30am and you’re practically nodding off as you turn the coffee machine on.

If your coffee machine is compatible with the traditional-style Nespresso pods — rather than the circular ones — then you have to try Lidl’s own brand. You won’t find them cheaper elsewhere, especially not in a supermarket.

Even on Amazon when purchasing them in slightly larger quantities, which I previously did, they’re still more expensive. For instance, a pack of 100 will cost you £15, so 15p per pod, making Lidl’s even more affordable.

I know pods aren’t ideal for the environment, so I’m eager to upgrade my machine to a bean-to-cup model sometime soon. And when that moment arrives, the Lidl beans will be top of my shopping list, and I have high expectations for these as well.