Quick thoughts: República 'Sydney' Double Shot

I had high hopes for this one.

I'll explain why. Despite the fact that I don't know much about coffee, I know I love coffee. I like what I like and I don't like what I don't like (for whatever reason). Do I know why I might not like a certain coffee? No. So am I justified? Nope.

So as someone who very much enjoys coffee (and REFUSES to go a work day without one) I don't think anything gets better than proper, barista-brewed coffee. But when you're at home and you need something that will wake you up, well you just gotta have instant coffee handy.

And República was the first brand that warmed me up to instant coffee. I had never met an instant coffee I liked – until I met República.

And ever since then, I've loved the brand. I love what it stands for: they're all about 100% ethical, organic coffee. They're Sydney-based, so they're a local brand. So they tick all the boxes. Big fan.

Their decaf instant tastes really, really good, too.

So it was a nobrainer for me to pick up a box of these babies during my Big Coffee Pod Binge Shop. Intensity 14, for crying out loud! There's no way I wouldn't love these.

Disclaimer: I was too lazy to take my own image, so the above image is taken straight from República's Facebook page.

But I didn't. I'm still so disappointed and crestfallen – but I didn't.

To begin with, there was no discernible smell when the liquid hit the cup. There wasn't a strong scent, like there immediately is with Nespresso pods or with Starbucks pods.

Even when I pressed my nose up against the cup, there was no potent smell. (And I have been told that I have a distinctly strong nose.) I even took a sip of the espresso straight, and I wasn't overjoyed, per se. There was intensity, certainly, but in the way where the predominant flavour was bitterness and acidity.

Anyway. I added my milk and had a sip. But, heartbreakingly... It was boring.

Boring. It wasn't awful. It wasn't great. It was merely passable – no distinct flavour. Forgettable.

It really does hurt me to say this. I still love the brand. And I think I might give their Melbourne coffee pods a go one day, too, but I have to admit I'm not in a rush to try República coffee pods again.

Would I buy it again? I don't think so. I'd drink it if there were nothing better around, because it's inoffensive, but it doesn't excite me.

I still love you República, I really do. Just... not the Sydney Double Shot coffee pods.

Jess x