Kenco has angered coffee drinkers by changing the way it makes its premium Millicano.

Although the product is produced to the same recipe and ingredients - a blend of 15% roast & ground coffee and instant coffee - a new production process being used across the £25m Millicano brand means the granules are larger.

The first packs made with the new process were soft-launched late last year, and Kenco owner Mondelez expects the new version to be in full distribution in the next few months.

Consumers have turned to social media to vent their anger, claiming the new version does not taste as good as the original. Comments on Kenco’s Facebook page include: “You had such a unique product, now it’s just bog standard like the rest”; and “The granule size is more like cheap instant coffee”.

The manufacturing process had been changed to be more environmentally friendly, but the flavour was the same, insisted a Mondelez spokesman. “The process saves water and, while the instant coffee granules are slightly larger, consumers can still expect the same great full-bodied taste and rich aroma.”

Despite the poor reception from some users, Mondelez said it did not intend to return to the old production process. “There are no current plans to do so, but we always listen to consumer feedback,” said the spokesman.

Launched early 2011, Millicano was expanded the following year with a decaf version and last month with new blend Millicano Sunlight.

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