DiningBuzz! - Starbucks Via: Travel Just Got Better

Starbucks Via may be -- when we look back at 2009 -- one of the Top 10 Travel Improvements of the Year.



It's miles above lousy airline coffee. Even on UA, the Starbucks is too weak, and suffers from a metallic tinge. I always get up to stretch my legs during flights, and now, thanks to Via, I also have a great excuse to get up for a good cup of coffee and chat with the FAs. On three occasions so far, my AA FAs have been more than happy to line me up with a cup, water, and real milk. Twice, it's led to extended foodie conversations, and both times the FAs broke out some cookies or other snacks for us to share. I don't know, maybe they appreciated my self-service ethos, but these little Via-related trips to the galley rank among my best convos with FAs.

It's miles beyond ANY in-room coffee I've ever had. I mean, c'mon, even those Wolfgang Puck packs are a joke.

We, the drinkers, can control the strength of the brew. I need a West Coast jolt, so I use only six ounces of water. Folgers fans and Midwesterners might want to use eight ounces. The point is, weak or fuerte, YOU, the drinker, get to choose.

It's TSA-compliant, and it's less unwieldy than trying to board the plane with a full cup o' joe. I mean, really, between balancing it on the seat cushion while you deal with the overhead bin, stuff the seat pocket with your reading material, juggle the pillow and blanket, and slide the seatbelt aside -- there are just too many opportunities to spill it. No one wants to be THAT person.

They make great stocking stuffers. Just thought I'd throw that in there, as it's never too early to bag your xmas shopping.

Anybody else dig these wondrous little packets?

(Disclaimer: I own Starbucks stock, but I'm not an employee.)

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I have a couple of packets from their recent giveaway, but I haven't tried them yet.



The free thimble-sized samples they were giving out in the stores were pretty underwhelming.

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Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I saw all the promo stuff in the Starbucks yesterday, but didn't get the full gist of what it was... I'll check it out, though. Thanks for the head up!

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Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Please clarify. Are you closing this discussion and directing us to a new link? Is so, please provide.

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Nonee

I saw all the promo stuff in the Starbucks yesterday, but didn't get the full gist of what it was... I'll check it out, though. Thanks for the head up!

Hi, Karl,

It's obviously personal preference, but you can tell that I'm way +1 on these diminutive packets!;)

Please clarify. Are you closing this discussion and directing us to a new link? Is so, please provide.

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Nonee

Nope, if so, you wouldn't have been able to reply. Moderators typically move threads that fit better in other forums, but it's transparent to people already following the thread.

If the contents of the thread are duplicated elsewhere (i.e. an existing discussion on Starbucks Via), they'll either close the thread and provide a link or merge the contents into the existing thread. The former is usually announced (and you won't be able to reply to the thread), and the latter is sometimes announced but sometimes not (if not, it's usually pretty transparent, since the merged posts just become part of the existing discussion).

Relax. ;)

Anybody else dig these wondrous little packets?

If SBUX sold Kool-Aid, I'd swear your drinking it. ;)

Seriously, I found it less than palatable. :td:

If I liked instant coffee it would be good.

I absolutely detest instant coffee. BUT Starbucks Via changes the entire experience. Try it - I now use it all the time.

Nope, if so, you wouldn't have been able to reply. Moderators typically move threads that fit better in other forums, but it's transparent to people already following the thread.

If the contents of the thread are duplicated elsewhere (i.e. an existing discussion on Starbucks Via), they'll either close the thread and provide a link or merge the contents into the existing thread. The former is usually announced (and you won't be able to reply to the thread), and the latter is sometimes announced but sometimes not (if not, it's usually pretty transparent, since the merged posts just become part of the existing discussion).

Relax. ;)

Thanks for the clarification. ^

I was and still am relaxed. ;)

** **

I assumed by Obscure's phrasing that a moderator action was going to occur.

If SBUX sold Kool-Aid, I'd swear your drinking it. ;)

Seriously, I found it less than palatable. :td:

I think the Colombian is better than the Italian roast.

And let's keep Via in context, of course. It's no substitute for the real thing, just better than onboard and inroom joe.

Wirelessly posted (beckoa's PWP wonderous poster: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.297 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Tried it at Costco last week... ^

Not bad for an instant coffee... But usually a little baliys will straighten that out ;)

I am on the road for a couple of weeks, so I think based upon the bullets I'll check them out. I am kind of curious (read that as sceptical) about the coffee. I do try to grab a local brew in cities I'm in, but this could be a nice alternative when on the go for the quick meetings and on the plane.

SEA BR and PDX BR with AS do have a nice coffee and espresso machines.... (Shameless plug)

I'm afraid that I've spoiled myself.

I buy green coffee beans and then, when I wish to brew, I roast the beans myself (it takes about 5 minutes), grind them and then make coffee from the fresh ground, fresh roasted beans.

Once you've tried it and gotten the beans done to your liking, you'll never want to turn back.

But usually a little baliys will straighten that out ;)

Hope you mean this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baileys_Irish_Cream

I saw an ad for these this past weekend, and I have to admit that I am eager to try it. I suppose these are available only at retail Starbucks locations?

I absolutely detest instant coffee. BUT Starbucks Via changes the entire experience. Try it - I now use it all the time.

Part of that is because, IMO, instant coffee processors adulterate the brew with inferior beans. When I buy instant in Europe, such as Nescafe's Alta Rica, and brew a cup, it doesn't even taste like instant - it tastes like a good cup of coffee.

I'm afraid that I've spoiled myself.

I buy green coffee beans and then, when I wish to brew, I roast the beans myself (it takes about 5 minutes), grind them and then make coffee from the fresh ground, fresh roasted beans.

Once you've tried it and gotten the beans done to your liking, you'll never want to turn back.

I don't even know how to respond to this. Kudo's to you for being so disciplined I suppose. :eek:

I recall a thread on HHonors about the hand grinders and then rigging your coffee pot to work on your own beans....but roasting on the road? I wouldn't even know where to start with that one.

...but roasting on the road? I wouldn't even know where to start with that one.

:eek: Oops....didn't mean to imply that I roasted on the road. Just saying that once you've done this (at home), then all other coffee is inferior so it doesn't really matter what you drink on the road.

I am on the road for a couple of weeks, so I think based upon the bullets I'll check them out. I am kind of curious (read that as sceptical) about the coffee. I do try to grab a local brew in cities I'm in, but this could be a nice alternative when on the go for the quick meetings and on the plane.

SEA BR and PDX BR with AS do have a nice coffee and espresso machines.... (Shameless plug)


^I always aim for hitting a local roastery or cafe or java hut (as in Boston, when I always head straight to Flour (http://www.flourbakery.com/) after the redeye from LAX). I am limiting my enthusiasm to those times when the alternative to Via is both inferior AND unavoidable.


I'm afraid that I've spoiled myself.

I buy green coffee beans and then, when I wish to brew, I roast the beans myself (it takes about 5 minutes), grind them and then make coffee from the fresh ground, fresh roasted beans.

Once you've tried it and gotten the beans done to your liking, you'll never want to turn back.

Ahh, just like our 19th-century forebears used to do. Until Folgers, et al, this was the norm. Congrats for being truly "artisanal"!


I saw an ad for these this past weekend, and I have to admit that I am eager to try it. I suppose these are available only at retail Starbucks locations?

Well, they're probably available "via" mail order, as well. And I don't fly UA much, but I hear they'll be available onboard, if they aren't already.



Part of that is because, IMO, instant coffee processors adulterate the brew with inferior beans. When I buy instant in Europe, such as Nescafe's Alta Rica, and brew a cup, it doesn't even taste like instant - it tastes like a good cup of coffee.


Again, thumbs up. There are some fair instant espressos out there, as well. It's all related to the integrity of the producer.

:eek: Oops....didn't mean to imply that I roasted on the road. Just saying that once you've done this (at home), then all other coffee is inferior so it doesn't really matter what you drink on the road.

No need for oops. It's a good idea if you roast at home and then have your beans. We have Stumptown here locally so it seems a moot point for me, those seem to be roasted to perfection no matter what bean type we get.

And now they have a shop in NYC too.

No need for oops. It's a good idea if you roast at home and then have your beans. We have Stuptown here locally so it seems a moot point for me, those seem to be roasted to perfection no matter what bean type we get.

And now they have a shop in NYC too.

Yes, there is a deli near me which serves Stuptown - very nice. :)

I used to bring my coffee pre-ground and pre-measured and in Finum paper filters (http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Unbleached-Finum-Tea-Filters/dp/B000KDW9MO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256653211&sr=8-1) (the type you use for loose tea) and then make fresh French Press Coffee with my large Bodum mug. It's harder to press down and you have to make sure no air bubbles are caught but the filter makes the clean up so easy. The wet grounds then go into a ziplock/barf bag that I tape to the wall if I'm sitting by the window and it helps with the smells on long haul flight :p

I did get yelled at for "playing" with the barf bags a few times though. But the grinds really do help with the smells back in steerage.

I did try the Via stuff and it wasn't bad. Would probably buy a few packets to keep in my "just in case" travel pouch along with the hot chocolate packet, instant oatmeal and granola bar :)

How long would you all say it lasts? I mean, store in my bag/briefcase for what, 30 days? More? Seal in plastic baggie? Hmmm.

And let's keep Via in context, of course. It's no substitute for the real thing, just better than onboard and inroom joe.

Exactly my point. Why settle for mediocrity? Not sure whether it's better than some onboard java, too...

I tried some Via. It tasted just like regular Starbucks to me; over-roasted.


When I buy instant in Europe, such as Nescafe's Alta Rica, and brew a cup, it doesn't even taste like instant - it tastes like a good cup of coffee.

+1

I like Via: I flunked the test in Starbucks several weekends ago.

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Not bad for an instant coffee... But usually a little baliys will straighten that out ;)

Yes, both the Via packets and the tiny Baily's bottles fly under the TSA radar. Perfect after-dinner combination.

No need for oops. It's a good idea if you roast at home and then have your beans. We have Stumptown here locally so it seems a moot point for me, those seem to be roasted to perfection no matter what bean type we get.

And now they have a shop in NYC too.

YoCream at Cascade Station serves stumptown and their wonderful yogurt :) If you don't know about that showroom you should try it out! Best frozen yogurt I have EVER eaten.

I got a pack of this in my United BoB meal. I have to say I'm seriously underwhelmed.

I got a pack of this in my United BoB meal. I have to say I'm seriously underwhelmed.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe it had to do with drinking the coffee after the meal, when your mouth chemistry is all altered.

Maybe giving it a second try as your morning cup is ... worth a try? (Try the Colombian.)