United's Onboard Coffee (Fresh Brew Kova) - Reviews, Questions, Etc.
Oct 25, 2012, 3:39 pm
#136
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
Shame to hear that .... sounds like a bit of a silly regulation to me.
Oct 25, 2012, 3:45 pm
#137
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
I have been up in the air on UA quite a bit lately and I can vouch for the fact that the coffee is still horrid. UA had it right at one time. To think that it was such a pleasure to have a cup of SB, now all taken away.
Oct 25, 2012, 5:20 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Oct 25, 2012, 6:29 pm
#139
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
I may be in the minority, but I LOVE the Kova decaf coffee (instant). It tastes nothing like coffee, but it has kind of a licorice taste and I ADORE it! I just flew from MCO to IAD and a really nice flight attendant gave me a bunch of packets! THANK YOU UNITED!!!
Oct 25, 2012, 6:31 pm
#140
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now MFE... formerly SEA and DCA
Programs: Now UA free!, AA Ex Plat, AS MVP, Marriott Titanium for life
Posts: 664
Facts count
Actually, the test was conducted with over 40 people, completely blind. The in-flight test was conducted over 30 flights and yes, passengers were consulted. Thanks
It was presented to Flight Attendants...over 1,100 of them. They liked it. Nobody stood over them for theor comments that was in management. Many actually expected not to like it, but ended up liking it. Of course, it was brewed with good water, so that helped.
The same supplier sells their coffee to Ritz Carltons, Norwegian Cruise and a brand they have called Mokka in hundreds of grocery and specialty stores. They won the American Culinary awards as well. Give it another try
It was tested on several flights-over 400 consumers. The coffee roaster, who happens to have a separate business in vending service only in Texas(not a maker of vending machines) is one of the top roasters in the USA. They won the American Culinary awards. thanks
it was tested with over 300 passengers
Thank you
It was presented to Flight Attendants...over 1,100 of them. They liked it. Nobody stood over them for theor comments that was in management. Many actually expected not to like it, but ended up liking it. Of course, it was brewed with good water, so that helped.
The same supplier sells their coffee to Ritz Carltons, Norwegian Cruise and a brand they have called Mokka in hundreds of grocery and specialty stores. They won the American Culinary awards as well. Give it another try
It was tested on several flights-over 400 consumers. The coffee roaster, who happens to have a separate business in vending service only in Texas(not a maker of vending machines) is one of the top roasters in the USA. They won the American Culinary awards. thanks
it was tested with over 300 passengers
Thank you
Well welcome to FT! Looks like Freshpoo hired a consultant! Thanks for resurrecting this 1 plus year old thread and make your comments on these ancient posts. However, let me help clarify a few issues:
1. The original coffee was onlytested by a few people (at HQ), and the project was headed up by a lady who self admittedly doesn't like coffee. Great idea thanks.
2. There was some testing done for the follow-up product... I'm sorry you say it was somewhere between 30 and 1000 people? Regardless of what number you throw out there, it is not statistically valid. Also, there was never any mention of a blind taste test or competitive comparison. They would lose- thanks.
3. Lift Coffee on WN. Apparently made by a private label manufacturer founded in 1912, but WN donates money from it to small Peruvian villages- so there is a difference in the product. Plus this random blog pokes fun at $misek and UA service at the same time! review/http://catchwordbranding.com/catchth...d-name-review/
4. Freshpoo has remade their site since last year! FYI they do not provide Coffee to Ritz-Carlton http://www.freshbrewgroup.com/coffee...rietary-blend/ at least some offer illy coffee and espresso ( a real brand of quality) http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...ounge/Menu.htm
5. I am not sure what the American Culinary award is- I couldn't find it. Link please? All I could find is this. This is NOT either of the blends used by CO (btw their site still points to CO) and it was won 2005-2008 http://www.freshbrewgroup.com/images...onal_award.pdf
They also won an award for TOP QUALITY FOOD SERVICE coffee... that is not an award IMHO. Oh and they consider NSF recognition as an award LMAO!! Thanks.
6. The new COdbaUA never thought about passengers in Seattle, Chicago, SF, or DC who might JUST MIGHT have a different preference than a vending coffee from Houston. Then again, they seem to not care about allienating their base. Thanks.
7. The coffee is crap. I highly doubt this is even arabica beans. The competition moved to higher quality coffees and branded recognized flavor profiles, all while CO went to the cheapest garbage they could find.
8. Thanks.
Oct 25, 2012, 7:19 pm
#141
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: TPE
Programs: UA Gold, HA Premier, Hertz #1 Gold PC, SBUX Gold
Posts: 603
Actually, the test was conducted with over 40 people, completely blind. The in-flight test was conducted over 30 flights and yes, passengers were consulted. Thanks
Lift is a similarly blended coffee as Kova- designed to please masses.
It was presented to Flight Attendants...over 1,100 of them. They liked it. Nobody stood over them for theor comments that was in management. Many actually expected not to like it, but ended up liking it. Of course, it was brewed with good water, so that helped.
The same supplier sells their coffee to Ritz Carltons, Norwegian Cruise and a brand they have called Mokka in hundreds of grocery and specialty stores. They won the American Culinary awards as well. Give it another try
It was tested on several flights-over 400 consumers. The coffee roaster, who happens to have a separate business in vending service only in Texas(not a maker of vending machines) is one of the top roasters in the USA. They won the American Culinary awards. thanks
it was tested with over 300 passengers
The brew baskets on the machines were not the correct size. The stabucks was a 2.5 oz and the new blend was 2.25 oz. The coffee pack did not fill the space of the deeper brew baskets so water flowed around, not through the grounds. That will make ANY coffee weak and taste under-developed=awful. Thank you
Lift is a similarly blended coffee as Kova- designed to please masses.
It was presented to Flight Attendants...over 1,100 of them. They liked it. Nobody stood over them for theor comments that was in management. Many actually expected not to like it, but ended up liking it. Of course, it was brewed with good water, so that helped.
The same supplier sells their coffee to Ritz Carltons, Norwegian Cruise and a brand they have called Mokka in hundreds of grocery and specialty stores. They won the American Culinary awards as well. Give it another try
It was tested on several flights-over 400 consumers. The coffee roaster, who happens to have a separate business in vending service only in Texas(not a maker of vending machines) is one of the top roasters in the USA. They won the American Culinary awards. thanks
it was tested with over 300 passengers
The brew baskets on the machines were not the correct size. The stabucks was a 2.5 oz and the new blend was 2.25 oz. The coffee pack did not fill the space of the deeper brew baskets so water flowed around, not through the grounds. That will make ANY coffee weak and taste under-developed=awful. Thank you
Oct 25, 2012, 8:14 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
Oct 25, 2012, 9:09 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ABQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Executive
Posts: 166
Well, assuming the 77070 in fly77070's name was a zip code, I looked it up. You'll never guess where! Yep, its Houston, TX. Maybe you're on to something here...
Oct 25, 2012, 9:58 pm
#146
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: iad/dca
Programs: UA Million Mile Gold, Club, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hertz G, A/Club
Posts: 1,106
They certainly did not test it
on any flight attendants I have met who universally pan the stuff both the old new and the new new. With enough cream and sugar it is drinkable in a pinch but I suspect this is a robusta blend. I have been drinking airline coffee for many years and I don't remember it being this bad despite the supposed lower water temp. FA's on a recent flight were seen shaking the bags to settle them into the drip basket.
Oct 25, 2012, 10:00 pm
#147
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAH
Programs: *AG, Choice Privileges Elite Diamond, SPG Gold, La Quinta Returns Gold, Wyndham Rewards Gold
Posts: 466
Be Careful. If Mr. Smisek hears you complaining, he may swap out the Kova for this stuff.
Oct 25, 2012, 10:08 pm
#148
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: iad/dca
Programs: UA Million Mile Gold, Club, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hertz G, A/Club
Posts: 1,106
Jeff signed off on it. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...-02022012.html
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...g/javacity.jsp
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/video/s...above-the-rest
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12057042.../#.UIoNuY5FvS8
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/espresso-delivery.html
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...g/javacity.jsp
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/video/s...above-the-rest
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12057042.../#.UIoNuY5FvS8
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/espresso-delivery.html
Last edited by iquitos; Oct 25, 2012 at 10:20 pm Reason: added link
Nov 3, 2012, 2:43 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
LOL, I am not United!! I keep going online to try to buy this coffee, but I can't find it anywhere. You have to try the instant decaf, it really does taste like licorice! I am drinking a cup now from my stash from the flight attendant. My next UA flight is not until December 6 so I have to make it last! I hope the flight attendants are in a good mood that day so I can beg more packets!
Nov 3, 2012, 3:37 pm
#150
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
Regulations are usually intended to be idiot proof. Flight attendants are certainly no idiots, but FAA may think otherwise.