Instant coffee lovers are always on the lookout for a product that combines convenience and great taste. I came across InstaBrew Coffee Cubes on Amazon and, intrigued by its unique concept, I knew I had to give it a try. Priced at $11.95 for a 12-count pack (about $1 per cup), the InstaBrew claims to offer premium-quality medium roast coffee in a convenient cube form. But is it worth the price, especially compared to budget-friendly options like Great Value instant coffee? I put it to the test to see how it tastes, how it compares, and whether it delivers on its promises.
Where to Purchase
Here is a link to the Instabrew cubes listed on my store, which will direct you to the best place to buy them.
InstaBrew Medium Roast Coffee Cubes
The InstaBrew Coffee Cubes are made from 100% Colombian coffee beans, slow-roasted to enhance flavor and infused with an exclusive chocolate oil-like profile. They are lightly sweetened with raw cane sugar, totaling just 30 calories per serving. The cubes are easy to use: just drop, stir, and sip. It promises a smoother, better-tasting coffee compared to traditional instant options.
The instructions are simple: Drop a cube into 7 ounces of hot water (at least 180°F), and stir until dissolved.
First Impressions and Preparation
When unwrapped, the InstaBrew cube resembles a bouillon cube but smells distinctly like coffee. Dropping it into hot water, I noticed a subtle bubbling effect, and the cube took only slightly longer to dissolve than the Great Value instant coffee I used for comparison.
Observation: The InstaBrew cube dissolved cleanly, leaving no foam. In contrast, the Great Value coffee developed a noticeable foam layer during mixing.
Taste Test: InstaBrew vs. Great Value Instant Coffee
InstaBrew Coffee
- Flavor: Smooth, balanced, and slightly sweet. The light cane sugar enhances the taste without overpowering it.
- Aroma: Rich and inviting, reminiscent of freshly brewed coffee.
- Experience: It’s one of the smoothest coffees I’ve tried, with no bitterness or harshness.
Great Value Instant Coffee:
- Flavor: Harsher, with a more bitter aftertaste.
- Aroma: Subpar compared to InstaBrew, lacking the fresh coffee scent.
- Experience: While drinkable, it feels far less refined and smooth.
Key Takeaway: Even without any additives, the InstaBrew clearly outshines the Great Value instant coffee in taste, texture, and aroma.
Adding Creamer: Does the Difference Hold?
To see how these coffees fared with a touch of cream, I added a small amount to both:
- InstaBrew with Creamer: Remained smooth, flavorful, and enjoyable. The cream enhanced the chocolatey notes without masking the natural coffee taste.
- Great Value with Creamer: Improved slightly but still fell short. The bitterness remained noticeable, even though the cream softened it somewhat.
While creamer elevated both coffees, the InstaBrew still stood out for its superior smoothness and flavor.
Iced Coffee Test
InstaBrew claims you can easily make iced coffee by dissolving a cube in a small amount of hot water (30ml) and adding ice and cold water. I tested this method against the Great Value instant coffee:
- InstaBrew Iced Coffee: Smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. It works remarkably well as iced coffee, maintaining its pleasant sweetness and flavor.
- Great Value Iced Coffee: Bitter and less appealing, even after cream was added to improve the taste.
- Verdict: As iced coffee, the InstaBrew once again outperformed the Great Value option.
Cost vs. Quality: Is InstaBrew Worth It?
While InstaBrew delivers excellent taste and convenience, the price at $1 per cup is significantly higher than the Great Value instant coffee, which costs a mere 3 cents per cup.
- Taste Priority: If you prefer your coffee black and smooth, the InstaBrew is a worthwhile investment. It delivers a far superior flavor and texture compared to cheap instant options.
- Budget-Friendly: If you regularly add sugar, cream, or other flavorings to your coffee, the Great Value option may suffice. Its bitterness becomes less noticeable with additives, and the cost savings are hard to ignore.
Conclusion
InstaBrew Coffee Cubes deliver on their promise of high-quality, smooth coffee with an easy, no-fuss preparation process. If you’re a coffee purist who values flavor over cost, this product is a great choice, especially for black or lightly sweetened coffee drinkers. However, the premium price may not be justified if you tend to mask your coffee’s natural flavor with cream or sugar.
InstaBrew is an innovative and tasty solution for coffee lovers seeking convenience, but it comes at a price. If you’ve tried InstaBrew or other instant coffee products, tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
You can watch my review below.