I've got to admit, I've been tempted to grab a single-serve coffee packet from the store before, but I always forget to pick them up. So, when I stumbled upon a whole box of Monarch's instant coffee at Chijik, I just had to grab it - logic flew out the window at that point!
Monarch's instant coffee is, well, it's just Monarch's instant coffee. It's not bad, but it's not exactly what I'd call a coffee connoisseur's dream either. The Caramel flavor I tried a few times was actually pretty decent, but the coffee itself is more like a coffee drink than a proper cup of joe. If you're a fan of whole-bean coffee, you might not appreciate the flavor here - it's just not as rich.
Now, I know what you're thinking - 'is it worth trying?' Well, if you're not too fussy about your coffee, you might want to give Monarch's instant a shot. It's a decent alternative to the usual stuff, especially if you're in a hurry.
✧ Product Info:
Manufacturer: OOO Yakobs Daw Egberts Rus / Russia, Leningrad Oblast
Product Name: Monarch (Monaikh) Cappucino Classic Instant Coffee
Quantity: 20 packets
Price at Chijik: 399 rubles for a box of 20 packets
Monarch Cappucino Instant Coffee in packets
Chijik has been restocking Monarch's Cappucino Classic Instant Coffee a few times, and the box of 20 packets is a pretty good deal at 399 rubles. That works out to about 20 rubles per packet, which is a bit cheaper than the usual 35 rubles you'd pay for a single packet in a supermarket.
Of course, you shouldn't buy this without trying it first - it's a bit of a risk.
Monarch's Cappucino Classic Instant Coffee is made in Russia.
Monarch Cappucino Instant Coffee in packets
Looking at the ingredients, you can kind of guess the flavor - yeah, there are definitely more milk notes here. I appreciate that the box has a table with the nutritional info for a single serving, too.
Ingredients of Monarch Cappucino Instant Coffee in packets
Storing the sachets in the packaging is super convenient - the top part detaches halfway and you get a nice stand.
Monarch Cappucino coffee in sachets
The sachets are made of a pleasant matte material. There are no quick-open notches, and it's not easy to tear them by hand - you'll need scissors. This isn't super convenient if you're taking the sachets to the office or a restaurant.
Monarch Cappucino coffee in sachets reviews
The brewing instructions are on the sachet itself. It's essential not to add too much water - you need 150ml, and you can top it off with a maximum of 180ml, but any more and the taste will be underwhelming and watery.
Brewing instructions for Monarch Cappucino coffee
The dry coffee has a pleasant sweet aroma, with very fresh milk notes, but for some reason, I keep thinking it's not coffee at all - it's like a hot chocolate with dry milk powder added.
Monarch Cappucino coffee in sachets
As soon as you add boiling water, a thick layer of foam forms with tiny coffee granules. The aroma of the dry and brewed coffee is similar, but the brewed coffee is just more intense, filling the kitchen with a cloud and drifting into other rooms.
Monarch Cappucino Powder Reviews
Monarch Cappucino in Sachets
After stirring, the foam settles a bit, but it holds up for as long as you're drinking. The first thing you notice is the sweetness, followed by strong notes of dry milk, and only at the end are there slight bitter coffee notes.
Compared to instant coffee in granules, this one clearly falls short in terms of flavor. It's more of a milk-based drink with a light coffee aftertaste.
The milk notes here are pleasant, and you can tell they're natural, not some milk fat substitute.
As for the sugar, it's a bit overdone, even with an unpleasant sticky feeling on your teeth after drinking.
My first packet of coffee was a letdown, but I thought the box would sit untouched for a while, but after a few days, I suddenly craved another cup. This coffee drink isn't for every day, but rather when you're in the mood. I bought the box at Chizhik in October, and now I've got about half left.
It reminded me of old-school vending machine coffee, but the kind that used powder.
I managed to grab the box at a nice price at ChijikThe sachet material is niceThe ingredients are acceptableNo milk fat substitutesThe foam is thickCons:
The coffee flavor is really weak, and the sweetness and dry milk notes overpower itI'd take less sugar, it's so cloying it makes my teeth acheKey notes: don't pour more than 150ml, or it'll be watery
Rating: 3
It's a drink for coffee aficionados, but it's not terrible. To be honest, it's more about the milk notes than the coffee. It's nowhere near as rich as a proper coffee, but every now and then I crave a cup. Next time, I'll try it with just one sachet from a regular supermarket, and I'll stick to other flavors.
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