Quick thoughts: Starbucks® Espresso Roast

• Starbucks® By Nespresso® Espresso Roast
• Intensity: 11
• $6.90 for a 10-pack at Coles

This is the first of Jess' Big Lockdown Coffee Pod Binge that I tried... And the moment the crema started pouring out of the machine, I loved it.

I think that's where it begins for me: the smell. I'm on the hunt for as much intense espresso flavour as possible and this definitely hit the brief. The scent is really interesting – it's both really potent, and yet sweet-smelling as well. Starbucks markets this as having "rich and caramelly notes", so I think that should be no surprise.

At the same time, the bitterness is definitely there. So this manages to be both sweet and strong at the same time – it's a pretty compelling mix.

It drinks as good as it smells, too. Someone on Twitter told me that this was as "close to an espresso as you can get", and I thought it was bang on. After the real deal (Nespresso® no. 1), Starbucks' Espresso Roast coffee pods comes a pretty close second so far.

And because they're liberally available at Coles and Woolworths, these will definitely become a staple, I think.

I think I'll have to have a proper revisit another time, when I'm not putting together a cup at 8:40am before work officially begins, so I can really flesh my thoughts out.

So I'll come back and update this review again soon(ish)!

Jess x