About Kenco
Kenco: Britain's Coffee Brand Since 1923 Introduction to Kenco Kenco has been a trusted name in British coffee for over a century, evolving from Kenyan coffee importers in the 1920s to today's innovative instant coffee brand. From the groundbreaking Millicano whole bean instant to environmentally conscious Eco Refill packs, Kenco continues to bring quality coffee moments to UK homes. As a pioneer of branded coffee shops in the UK and creator of the world's first whole bean instant coffee, Kenco has consistently innovated whilst maintaining the quality that has made it a kitchen cupboard staple for generations of British coffee drinkers. At Grocefully, we help you compare Kenco prices across UK retailers, ensuring you can enjoy your favourite coffee at the best available prices. Whether you prefer Rich, Smooth, Millicano, or Decaff varieties, price comparison helps you keep your coffee supply stocked sensibly. The Kenco Story: From Kenyan Coffee to British Kitchen Staple Kenco's century-long journey reflects the evolution of British coffee culture. Kenyan Origins Kenco was founded in 1923 by a co-operative of retired White Kenyan coffee growers who traded as "The Kenya Coffee Company Limited." These coffee experts brought their knowledge of African coffee to Britain at a time when tea dominated British beverage culture. The name Kenco derives from this Kenyan heritage — a shortening of "Kenya Coffee" that became the official brand name in 1962. Mayfair Beginnings L.C. Gibbs and C.S. Baines began selling coffee from a shop in Vere Street, Mayfair — a fashionable location reflecting coffee's premium positioning in 1920s Britain. The shop sold roast and ground coffee locally, but most sales were by mail order. Advertisements in publications such as Tatler, Country Life, and The Times targeted country houses, establishing Kenco as a sophisticated choice for discerning households across Britain. Expansion and Innovation In the 1930s, the company expanded operations with premises in Bermondsey and Earlsfield. Significantly, Kenco became the first to launch a branded coffee shop chain in the UK — predating modern coffee shop culture by decades. A coffee shop in Sloane Square further established Kenco's premium credentials. This café heritage gave Kenco understanding of quality coffee experience that would inform product development. The Kenco Name In 1962, the company officially changed its name to Kenco — a snappier brand identity for the modern era whilst honouring Kenyan origins. This rebranding coincided with rising British interest in coffee as an alternative to traditional tea drinking. Instant Coffee Innovation In the 1980s, Kenco introduced instant freeze-dried coffee, bringing café-quality convenience to home kitchens. Freeze-drying preserved more coffee flavour than earlier instant coffee processes, establishing Kenco's premium position in instant coffee. Rainforest Alliance Partnership In 2008, the brand relaunched with 75 percent of beans for its instant range sourced from Rainforest Alliance certified farms. This commitment to sustainable sourcing addressed growing consumer concern about coffee production ethics and environmental impact. The Millicano Revolution In 2011, Kenco introduced Millicano — the first "whole bean instant" coffee. This revolutionary product blended 15 percent roast and ground coffee with instant coffee, delivering closer-to-fresh-brewed taste in instant format. Within four weeks, Millicano had sold nearly a million packs, becoming Kenco's most successful coffee launch ever. The product created a new category in instant coffee — addressing consumers who wanted convenience without sacrificing quality. Eco Refill Innovation Kenco's Eco Refill packs represent recent environmental commitment. These paper refill pouches contain 83 percent less packaging weight per gram of coffee than standard tins, designed for decanting into existing glass jars. This practical sustainability solution helps consumers reduce packaging waste whilst maintaining the quality they expect from Kenco. Corporate Ownership Kenco's ownership has evolved through major food industry consolidations: Originally owned by The Kenya Coffee Company Acquired by Premier Foods Transferred to General Foods Became part of Kraft General Foods Moved to Mondelēz International in the 2012 Kraft demerger Merged into Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) in 2015 JDE merged with Peet's Coffee to form JDE Peet's in 2020 Pending acquisition by Keurig Dr Pepper (announced August 2025) Throughout these transitions, Kenco has maintained its British identity and product quality. The Kenco Product Range Kenco offers comprehensive instant coffee solutions for every preference. Kenco Original Range The classic instant coffee line: Kenco Rich: Full-bodied, intense coffee for those who prefer stronger flavour. Deep, satisfying taste suitable for any time of day. Kenco Smooth: Medium roast with well-balanced flavour. Accessible taste appealing to broad coffee preferences. Kenco Decaff: Full coffee flavour with caffeine removed. Enables enjoyment of Kenco quality without caffeine effects. Available in glass jars and Eco Refill paper pouches, the range covers fundamental instant coffee needs. Kenco Millicano The premium whole bean instant range: Kenco Millicano Original: The flagship product combining 85 percent instant coffee with 15 percent roast and ground coffee. Delivers barista-style Americano with bold, rounded taste and rich, welcoming aroma. Kenco Millicano Caffeine Free: Full-bodied whole bean instant taste with no caffeine. Same Millicano quality for those avoiding caffeine. Millicano represents Kenco's premium offering — the closest thing to freshly brewed coffee in instant format. Finely milled arabica whole beans provide bold flavours and warm, roasty aromas. Coffee Shop Style Café-inspired drinks for home preparation: Kenco Cappuccino: Sachets creating cappuccino-style drinks at home. Convenient single-serve format. Kenco Latte: Smooth latte-style drinks in sachet format. These products bring coffee shop experiences to home preparation without equipment investment. Eco Refill Range Sustainability-focused packaging: Kenco Rich Eco Refill: Paper pouch format for decanting into glass jars. Kenco Smooth Eco Refill: Medium roast in reduced-packaging format. Kenco Decaff Eco Refill: Caffeine-free option in sustainable packaging. Kenco Millicano Eco Refill: Premium whole bean instant in paper pouch. The Eco Refill range delivers 83 percent less packaging weight per gram than standard tins, designed for environmentally conscious consumers. Professional and Catering Larger formats for workplace and catering: Kenco 500g Tins: Bulk format for high-consumption environments. Catering Sachets: Individual servings for hospitality settings. These formats serve offices, cafés, and catering operations requiring consistent Kenco quality at scale. Quality and Sourcing Understanding Kenco's approach explains consumer trust. Rainforest Alliance Certification With 75 percent of beans from Rainforest Alliance certified farms, Kenco demonstrates commitment to sustainable coffee production. This certification addresses: Environmental protection Farmer welfare Community development Biodiversity conservation Responsible sourcing represents genuine commitment rather than marketing claim. Freeze-Dried Quality Kenco's freeze-drying process preserves coffee flavour better than spray-drying methods used in economy instant coffees. This quality process justifies premium positioning. The Millicano Difference The inclusion of 15 percent roast and ground coffee in Millicano transforms instant coffee quality. This finely milled whole bean component delivers: Closer-to-fresh-brewed taste Richer aroma More complex flavour profile Satisfying coffee experience This innovation genuinely improves instant coffee without requiring brewing equipment. Century of Expertise Over 100 years of coffee experience inform Kenco products. From Kenyan coffee expertise through branded café operation to modern instant innovation, Kenco understands what makes great coffee. Shopping for Kenco in the UK Kenco enjoys comprehensive UK distribution. Major Supermarkets Tesco: Full Kenco range including Millicano and Eco Refills Sainsbury's: Core Kenco products in hot beverages aisles Morrisons: Kenco range including Millicano Original Asda: Kenco instant coffee selection Other supermarkets: Wide Kenco availability Online Grocery Supermarket delivery services include Kenco Amazon UK stocks full range Specialist coffee retailers carry larger formats Convenience Stores Co-op, Spar, and independent convenience stores stock popular Kenco variants. Workplace Supplies Office supply companies provide Kenco for workplace consumption. Understanding Kenco Pricing Kenco occupies premium positioning in instant coffee. Premium Instant Kenco prices exceed economy instant coffee brands, reflecting quality beans, responsible sourcing, and freeze-dried processing. The premium delivers tangible quality difference. Millicano Premium Millicano commands higher prices than standard Kenco, reflecting the whole bean instant innovation. The 15 percent roast and ground content justifies the step-up. Eco Refill Value Eco Refills typically cost less than equivalent glass jar purchases whilst reducing packaging. These offer both environmental and economic benefits. Promotional Opportunities Instant coffee frequently features in supermarket promotions. Multi-buy offers and temporary price reductions make stocking up sensible during promotional periods. Practical Tips for Kenco Shoppers Choose Your Roast Kenco roast profiles suit different preferences: Rich: Bold, intense flavour for strong coffee lovers Smooth: Balanced, accessible for everyday drinking Decaff: Full flavour for caffeine-free requirements Try Millicano If seeking better instant coffee quality, Millicano delivers genuine improvement over standard instant. The whole bean element provides noticeably richer experience. Use Eco Refills Once you have a Kenco glass jar, switch to Eco Refills for ongoing purchases. Same quality, less packaging, typically lower cost per gram. Stock During Offers Instant coffee keeps well sealed. Take advantage of promotional pricing to stock up for extended periods. Consider Larger Formats For regular Kenco drinkers, larger jars or tins offer better per-gram value than smaller formats. Kenco in British Coffee Culture Kenco holds a special place in British beverages. Instant Coffee Standard For many British households, Kenco represents "proper" instant coffee — quality above economy brands without speciality complexity. This middle-ground positioning serves the mainstream well. Office Standard Kenco appears in countless British workplaces, the default quality option when providing staff coffee. This workplace presence reinforces brand familiarity. Tea Nation Alternative In a traditionally tea-drinking nation, Kenco provided accessible coffee alternative as British tastes evolved. The brand helped normalise coffee drinking in British homes. Reliability and Consistency Kenco's consistent quality across purchases provides reliability. Consumers know what to expect, building trust that sustains multi-generational brand loyalty. Conclusion Kenco's journey from Kenyan coffee importers in 1923 to instant coffee innovation leaders demonstrates century-long commitment to quality coffee. The transition from Mayfair coffee shop to kitchen cupboard staple reflects evolving British coffee culture. The Millicano innovation — combining instant convenience with whole bean quality — exemplifies Kenco's continued relevance. Selling nearly a million packs within four weeks proved consumers valued this genuine quality advancement. Rainforest Alliance sourcing, Eco Refill packaging, and consistent product quality position Kenco for continued success. Now part of JDE Peet's (with pending Keurig Dr Pepper acquisition), Kenco retains British identity whilst benefiting from global coffee expertise. Using Grocefully to compare Kenco prices across UK retailers helps you enjoy quality instant coffee at the best available prices. For coffee drinkers seeking better-than-basic instant without speciality complexity, Kenco delivers over a century of coffee expertise in every cup.