In a nation known for its love of caffeine, New Zealanders have a longstanding affair with instant coffee.

This love story took an interesting twist as a panel of ten Consumer NZ staff embarked on a quest to determine the best brew for your buck among nine instant coffees available in Kiwi supermarkets.

Instant coffee, a Kiwi invention dating back to the 1890s, has remained a steadfast choice for that quick caffeine fix.

In a 2015 survey, 46% of Kiwis favoured instant coffee over barista-made brews.

But which of the many options on the shelf truly satisfies the taste buds?

The taste-testing process was straightforward.

A panel of 10 Consumer NZ staff blind taste-tested nine instant coffees available from supermarkets in New Zealand. 

The results unveiled some surprising winners.

Best Tasting: Robert Harris Colombian Blend

The top spot for taste went to Robert Harris Colombian Blend.

Panellists praised its chocolatey aroma and distinct coffee flavour.

At $11.00 per 100 grams, it struck a balance between cost and quality, outshining pricier competitors.

Best Brew for Your Buck: Pams Café Roast

If you're looking for value without sacrificing taste, Pams Café Roast stole the show.

Priced at just $3.19 per 100 grams, it proved to be the third-highest-scoring coffee overall, making it the best brew for your buck.

This chart displays the price of 100 grams of each coffee divided by the points it scored in our taste test.

Worst Brew for Your Buck: Coffee Supreme's Instant

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Coffee Supreme's Instant stood out as the priciest option at a jaw-dropping $76.14 per 100 grams.

Despite its hipster pedigree and unique packaging, it only managed to secure sixth place in the taste test, leaving consumers better off opting for a more affordable choice like Pams.

It's clear that when it comes to instant coffee, New Zealanders have diverse preferences, but now they have some well-informed choices to consider.

For more details and the full ranking, check out the results on the Consumer NZ website.