Via by Starbucks?

[jeffryscott]

Starbucks has a new instant coffee called Via .... anybody else tried it yet?

I bought a sample pack and it is awfully good for instant, think it will be my new camp coffee for when I get back out into the woods or desert - meanwhile, I think I'll keep some of it around for work, study or when I feel lazy and don't want to make a whole pot.:coffeedrink:

Price isn't too bad, think it was $9.95 for a dozen packets.

In general, I'm not a huge fan of Starbucks (I drink my coffee black, so find their roast too charred), but I did think this was really good for a quick cuppa joe. And I did like it better than the concentrated liquid instant discussed here a while back (can't remember its name).

[Blackeye]

I am still a big fan of a well brewed cup (or two), but this stuff is pretty darn good. It dissolves well, even in cold water for the makings of an iced coffee. It seems to work best to add the ice after the solution dissolves. I'm up for trying it in soda water too. I've heard that it is tasty on ice cream, in cookies, etc.

[Scott Brady]

Just tried it this morning. It was good.

Very similar to Java Juice, but even a bit more compact/clean/easy

[jeepmedic46]

I've heard about it and people say its good. Not a bad price. I'll have to try the ice coffee version though. I never drink hot coffee.

[dustboy]

I'm intrigued, but they'll have a hard time talking me out of my french press and Peet's french roast. I could see it for backpacking, but the press takes relatively little space in the truck and I'd still have to boil the water.

[78Bronco]

How hard is it to make real coffee when backpacking/camping? Instant coffee is like light beer...what's the point!:coffeedrink:

[jeepmedic46]

Doesn't everybody want everything instantly now? LOL

[Bugetexpedition]

I tried it yesterday and liked it.

[Mike_rupp]

How hard is it to make real coffee when backpacking/camping? Instant coffee is like light beer...what's the point!:coffeedrink:

Camping is one thing, but for backpacking I want to keep everything as simple and lightweight as possible. In my truck I bring a manual grinder & stainless french press. IMHO, anything less than that is a compromise.

For backpacking, Via is a very good way to have coffee. It isn't going to knock your socks off, but when you are done, there is just a tiny little foil wrapper to pack out and it weighs next to nothing. It isn't a cup that you savor to the last drop; it's a quick & easy way to get a dose of caffeine.

[78Bronco]

Camping is one thing, but for backpacking I want to keep everything as simple and lightweight as possible. In my truck I bring a manual grinder & stainless french press. IMHO, anything less than that is a compromise.

For backpacking, Via is a very good way to have coffee. It isn't going to knock your socks off, but when you are done, there is just a tiny little foil wrapper to pack out and it weighs next to nothing. It isn't a cup that you savor to the last drop; it's a quick & easy way to get a dose of caffeine.

You can pack a small re-usable filter and pregrind the beans for back packing. Instant real coffee!

[Mike_rupp]

Pregrind beans? Game over. If I have to stoop to that level, I'd rather just go all in and drink the Via.

How do you deal with the grounds? Do you just dump them on the ground or do you pack them out? Either way isn't something that I want to do.

[luk4mud]

Don't like hot coffee but the idea of using it for iced coffee is appealing. How much water do you use? Will it dissolve or does it float on top like Sanka? Does the cream mix in or float too?

[Scott Brady]

It dissolved quickly in hot water. Given the ease of use, I will likely use it for moto adventures.

[luk4mud]

Just bought some on my way home tonight and tried it as iced coffee- pretty good!

[Radio]

And you can buy the travel mug that fits several of the packets... so you never have to go far without!
Excellent idea, imho... that's a lesson in clever marketing; take an old idea and re-invent/improve on it. Whether you like it or not, you have got to give them credit on this one.
I will endevour to try some this weekend.
Cheers!

[78Bronco]

Pregrind beans? Game over. If I have to stoop to that level, I'd rather just go all in and drink the Via.

How do you deal with the grounds? Do you just dump them on the ground or do you pack them out? Either way isn't something that I want to do.

You can drink instant and I'll drink the pregrind 454HP from Kicking Horse Coffee.

I'd think that coffee is completely biodegradeable and doesn't contain anything harmful. Supposed to be good plant food. What do you think?:coffee:

[mmccurdy]

I tried this today, was skeptical but somewhat drawn in by Starbucks' in-store advertising claiming that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from brewed coffee.

Well, it's quite good for instant coffee, definitely drinkable, but you can absolutely tell the difference.

I think for now I'll stick to brewed coffee on the trail, though recently I've started down the slippery slope to convenience and I've been pre-grinding my beans before heading out. Somehow I wasn't appreciating that caffeine-free 20 minutes, freezing my hands off, while I eked out enough for a cup from my hand grinder. Maybe this is the next logical step... :coffeedrink:

[spressomon]

I tried this today, was skeptical but somewhat drawn in by Starbucks' in-store advertising claiming that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from brewed coffee.

Well, it's quite good for instant coffee, definitely drinkable, but you can absolutely tell the difference.

I think for now I'll stick to brewed coffee on the trail, though recently I've started down the slippery slope to convenience and I've been pre-grinding my beans before heading out. Somehow I wasn't appreciating that caffeine-free 20 minutes, freezing my hands off, while I eked out enough for a cup from my hand grinder. Maybe this is the next logical step... :coffeedrink:



I heard/read that too: Coffee drinkers (or whatever group they mentioned ;-) couldn't tell the difference. Admittedly I haven't tried it but I'd be hard pressed (pun intended :coffeedrink:) to imagine NOT being able to tell the difference between fresh ground/brewed and instant anything.

Not to say there isn't a market for decent instant coffee: I read the worldwide instant coffee, with most coming from Europe, is a $22B (yes with a "B") market: Not potential market but existing!

Good business sense once again from Starbucks!

[78Bronco]

Coffee is one of the worlds most expensive commodities.

[mkitchen]

While in Portland, we stopped in a Starbucks and they asked if I would do a taste test. I got a small cup of fresh ground coffee and a cup of Via instant and I thought the instant was the fresh ground. I know that Starbucks over roasts their coffee and the instant had that taste so I chose it over the other.
I am impressed enough to carry it on a bicycle tour or a back country tour. Ilike a pot in the evening and I think that I would still grind and brew for that but in the AM's I think the Via would be nice and quick. The quicker I get my coffee, the earlier I can start my day.
Mikey:coffeedrink:

[dallasrover]

My wife and I use it. While it is not brewed, it is not terrible. We can stop on the side of the trail or a rest stop on the road, jet boil some water, and away we go.:coffeedrink:

[Mike_rupp]

Fresh roast? There is nothing in a Starbucks store that could be considered fresh roast. Who knows how long ago the beans at a Starbucks were roasted?

In comparing the Via to the freshly brewed, it is pretty darn close. Whatever method that Starbucks uses to make the instant coffee is a decent one. The only difference that I could tell is that the instant tastes a little thin.

Wasteful packaging? How, pray tell, could you individually package something in a way that is less wasteful?

There is definitely a place for the Via. In a situation like motorcycling or backpacking where space, weight and convenience are important, Via is a good option.

[SupraTuRD]

Tried some today. I'm sold.

[cactusjk]

If you use 8 ounces, especially with the bold, it is pretty close!





Fresh roast? There is nothing in a Starbucks store that could be considered fresh roast. Who knows how long ago the beans at a Starbucks were roasted?

In comparing the Via to the freshly brewed, it is pretty darn close. Whatever method that Starbucks uses to make the instant coffee is a decent one. The only difference that I could tell is that the instant tastes a little thin.

Wasteful packaging? How, pray tell, could you individually package something in a way that is less wasteful?

There is definitely a place for the Via. In a situation like motorcycling or backpacking where space, weight and convenience are important, Via is a good option.

[Redline]

Agreed. I'm a fan of hot tea and drink Trader Joe's English Breakfast Tea on a regular basis. :sombrero:

I’m happy to hear that Starbucks instant is ‘pretty good’, I will have to try some.


In situation requiring the benefits of instant coffee, I choose TEA :sombrero:

[Mike_rupp]

I'm sure the market research done by Starbucks concluded that the 8oz serving size is the ideal size for the marketplace. If the package size was for 24oz, it kind of defeats the concept altogether.

You must not have kids. Have you seen how much packaging is required for a tiny little toy?

[ljb0904]

My GF and I got some for our last overnighter - it was alright. I typically get moving pretty quick when I'm on the road, so the Via is nice for a quick cup of coffee. Tea is ok, but sometimes I just like coffee.