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?
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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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frodosan
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.
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.
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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PDXOutbound
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 after the redeye from LAX). I am limiting my enthusiasm to those times when the alternative to Via is both inferior AND unavoidable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frodosan
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"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonplz
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonplz
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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frodosan
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.
Last edited by PDXOutbound; Oct 27, 09 at 9:36 am.
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.
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I used to bring my coffee pre-ground and pre-measured and in Finum paper filters (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
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
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 always aim for hitting a local roastery or cafe or java hut (as in Boston, when I always head straight to 
