What's a good instant coffee?

[Tobin S.]

Is there such a thing? I have Maxwell House and it has a faint non-organic aftertaste that I associate with dish soap. Yes, I rinse my dishes good. :)

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Starfucks is advertising a new one that's supposed to taste just like their real coffee.

Haven't tried it yet. And Starfucks isn't even the best coffee, but if instant tasted like that, I might buy it.

http://www.starbucks.com/via

[Tobin S.]

3. Thanks

I'd go for some Starbucks instant coffee if it tatsted like their regular stuff. It's better than Maxwell House.

[jannyk]

9. I just drank some - it's called Via - and it does smell/taste like

brewed! Pricey though at 2.99 for 3 cups or 9.99 for 12. We bought it for my husband's trip to Taiwan tomorrow. Gets a thumbs up in this house.

[Haole Girl]

16. Did you know Starbucks coffee is processed in China now?

I stopped drinking it. Call me paranoid, but I don't think China has the best track record for quality.

[Sebastian Doyle]

25. No, I didn't know that.

I rarely drink the stuff myself. Hell, I even got an old gift card that still has a balance on it, so I won't even go out of my way to drink it for free. Of course part of that is the fact that I blame Starfucks owner Howard Schultz for destroying the Seattle Super Sonics, but that's a whole other discussion.

Now I have another reason not to drink it. And withdraw my recommendation of their instant coffee, if that's the case.

[MajorChode]

33. Most coffee is processed in 3rd world countries

I would think China might be a notch up.

[Quantess]

50. Funny, I got a sample of Starbucks instant foisted upon me when I bought a cup.

I haven't tried it yet.

Amazing, these marketing geniuses at Starbucks. They just try to read our minds. I had no idea I wanted instant coffee.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Tobin!

You know, it doesn't take very long to make a couple of cups of freshly brewed coffee...

Most of the automatic drip pots take just a few minutes.

We buy our coffee at Costco, grind it there, and keep it in the freezer...

It's a lot better when you brew it yourself!

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

4. I may decide to do that

How much do coffee drip pots generally cost? I'd need one that makes at least four cups at a time. Yeah, I'm addicted. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I don't remember what we spent on ours...

But there's a huge assortment out there. I think you can spend up to $60 and probably as little at $20.

We ended up buying one with a metal pot so that we wouldn't have to worry about breaking it.

That did cost more...

DON'T get a percolator! You want a drip. Percolators run the water through the coffee over and over while it boils. :scared:

[GirlinContempt]

6. You can get coffee makers pretty cheap these days

if you really cant afford very much, try craigslist, freecycle, or other used websites where people are selling used items or giving them away.

Sears seems to have some starting at $10 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=coffee+maker&vName=&x=0&y=0#viewItems=40&pageNum=1&sortOption=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH
I'm sure Wal-mart (ick) has cheapass ones too, and lots of other places.

I do hear good things about the Starbucks instant though. I think a lot of locations are giving away free samples of the stuff. http://starbucks.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=279

[XemaSab]

7. My mom just uses a pot and a plastic filter holder

They're not made for each other, and it's a totally MacGuyvered system, and about twice a year the top falls off and creates an enormous mess, but it's been working for her for 30+ years, so hey... can't front on that. :shrug:

You should grind your own beans though. That's where the flavor lives. :D

[TreasonousBastard]

17. I lost that Melitta filter holder I had, so...

the last time the electric drip pot broke I propped its basket, with filter and coffee, over the pot and poured hot water in it. This worked until I found out what happens when it decides to fall over.

After cleaning up the mess and trying a few ways to properly prop it up, I fooled around with a strainer and small colander to hold the filter. Then I dug out an old French press I buried somewhere.

Then I bought a new drip pot. The other ways actually made better coffee, but were pains.

[marzipanni]

28. When our Melitta pot broke we decided to use the stainless steel thermos for our coffee pot

but the "stem" of the Melitta filter holder was too wide and short to fit in the thermos. We put that filter holder in a large funnel with a long narrow stem so it would be more secure resting atop the thermos, until my husband chanced upon a brand new better-fitting filter holder at Goodwill.

[MajorChode]

53. That's actually a very good way to do it

I use a plastic filter holder and a cordless tea kettle to brew directly into my thermos or airpot. It's a low tech solution that works better than most coffee pots on the market.

[pokerfan]

8. I recommend a press pot

They're less expensive than a drip maker and they have a couple of advantages: one problem with many drip makers is that they don't really bring the water close to boil and you are at the mercy of gravity and the filters to control the time the grounds are in contact with the hot water. A press pot lets you control the water temperature (I bring water to a boil and then let it sit a couple a couple of minutes - about the amount of time it takes to grind the beans) and the brewing time (about four minutes for my taste). Plus, the press pot can also be used for brewing loose tea if you want.

http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot">How to Use a Press Pot

[denbot]

10. Press pots make excellent coffee

I use my water as soon as it stops boiling and let it set for 3 minutes before pressing. Nummies!!!

Now the press pot has been retired to camping boating duties, here at casa de Alley we use an expresso maker and drink americanos, very yummie.

[conscious evolution]

21. Yes they do

What I like is that you can control the strength-from weak colored water to rocket fuel.

[Graybeard]

13. I've seen small press pots that make a single cup.

And you can get all sizes up from there; two cup, four cup etc.

[MajorChode]

52. Aeropress is the way to go for single cup

http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress.htm

[zanne]

12. There are coffee drip pots for under $20.

They all basically do the same thing, so you don't have to go out and buy an expensive one.

[MilesColtrane]

24. I recommend a Bunn.

American made and it brews up to ten cups in about three minutes.

They kick ass.

[MajorChode]

51. Bunn makes really good stuff

There are those that are better, but not for the price. Most Bunn coffee makers brew at the right temperature and disperse the water more evenly over the grounds. You can't say that about most of the coffee makers on the market.

[old mark]

11. We have tried many brands, high and low priced,and we regularly use

Walmarts house brand. It is as good or better than any of the "big name" brands.
We are not concerned about the price, it's just better coffee.
For regular coffee, we get 8 O'Clock whole beans and grind it fresh - we love coffee.
FWIW, we got some Starbucks coffee as part of a christmas gift and is was terrible - we threw it out.

mark

[Captain Hilts]

14. What's the purpose of instant coffee? You have to boil water anyway. I don't 'get' it. nt

[TreasonousBastard]

15. You can save up to a whole two minutes and..

you don't have those wet, messy grinds to throw out.

(And, no mold experiments if you forget to throw the grinds out)

[hobbit709]

18. There is no Good instant coffee

There is some so-so instant coffee in a field of bad to gawdawful instant coffees.

[Sky Masterson]

19. The starbucks instant is about the best IMHO

It taste freshly ground and brewed.

[doc03]

38. I tried it and I guess you could call it excellent

if you like Starbucks coffee. I have drank several different Starbucks coffees and they all seem basically the same (strong or very strong). We have a local coffee shop that is far superior to Starbucks. Starbucks is the Walmart of the coffee industry. The local shop had a store at the Mall that was doing very good, then Starbucks wanted to get in on the action. So they come to the mall owners and tell them they would like to put a Starbucks in the Mall. The Mall gave them a 5 year lease and in exchange the existing local coffee shop was forced to move into the lowest traffic area in the Mall. In addition to that their agreement prohibited anyone else to advertise they sold coffee. Example the local coffee shop wasn't permitted to use their name Wheeling Coffee and Spice so they started selling Ice Cream and coffee and changed their name to Cool Beans Creamery. It turned out even though they had excellent ice cream and superior coffee they couldn't compete with Starbucks that had a far better location and millions in advertisement dollars behind them they closed about a year later. They still have a two shops around town. Then last year the Starbucks in the Mall was one of those listed to close and their agreement bit them in the ass. They are tied down with a five year lease and even if they close they are obligated to pay rent so they have to keep the store open even though it's one of their underperformers the a--holes got what they deserve.

[Bertha Venation]

20. Sorry, Tobin -- that's an oxymoron.

:)

[madmom]

22. This isn't instant but since you've tried Maxwell House, have you tried

their coffee bags? Just like tea bags but coffee. We use them when we go camping or someplace where we want non instant coffee quick. Folgers also have them and there are a few store brands.

[azmouse]

23. Ganocafe

It's available online. Best price for it I've found is at this website: http://iwr.com/gano/

[GoCubsGo]

26. Medaglia D'Oro Instant Espresso

Well, it's good for an instant coffee, anyway. I keep some around for recipes that call for small amounts of coffee for flavoring, and for smoothie-type drinks.

I also concur that the Starbucks is good for what it is. I'd buy it if I was traveling and staying somewhere that didn't have a coffee maker.

[SeattleGirl]

27. I like Starbuck's Via.

It's pretty damned good for instant coffee.

[lillypaddle]

29. Just buy a 2 cup (or 4 cup) coffee maker

The 4 cups us 6 ounce cups, so if you use one big scoop and 2 cups (6oz) water, it makes about ONE mug of coffee. It's fast and they aren't that expensive.

[GCP]

30. Taster's Choice is reliable

I use it in the evening when I don't want a big caffeine buzz.

[Blue Diadem]

40. We use Taster's Choice too. n/t

[backwoodsbob]

31. we bought a braun coffeemaker

it can make a pot in under two minutes and the 100 dollar cost would be made up in...I dont know..a week of that instant

[AsahinaKimi]

32. I have my own coffee machine...and grinder .

I don't think instant is that good any more.. I like making it the as strong as I want.. but I don't make it as much as I tend to make real Japanese Green tea, or Chinese tea called "Pu Erh" I also love Oolong tea.

[midnight armadillo]

34. Pu erh? That composted tea?

Blech. Molding leaves are just not to my liking.

[AsahinaKimi]

35. Pu Erh is wonderful tea from China...

From Wiki:



Pu-erh tea can be purchased as either raw/green (sheng) or ripened/cooked (shou), depending on processing method or aging. Sheng pu-erh can be roughly classified on the tea oxidation scale as a green tea, and the shou or aged-green variants as post-fermented tea. The fact that pu-erh fits in more than one tea type poses some problems for classification. For this reason, the "green tea" aspect of pu-erh is sometimes ignored, and the tea is regarded solely as a post-fermented product. Unlike other teas that should ideally be consumed shortly after production, pu-erh can be drunk immediately or aged for many years; pu-erh teas are often now classified by year and region of production much like wine vintages.

While there are many counterfeit pu-erhs on the market and real aged pu-erh is difficult to find and identify, it is still possible to find pu-erh that is 10 to 50 years old, as well as a few from the late Qing dynasty. Indeed, tea connoisseurs and speculators are willing to pay high prices for older pu-erh, upwards of thousands of dollars per cake.

Pu-erh tea is available as loose leaf or as cakes of compacted tea (see Tea brick).

===============================================
I really love this tea..it is mild and smooth, not harsh at all. It has a nice aroma. I first discovered it in one of the more classier places in Chinatown.. and had to buy some. A store in Chinatown, called Tenren makes a very fine tea, that is so well blended its amazing. I have had Chinese black teas before, but Pu Erh is my favorite and I love Oolong tea as well.

I would suggest trying this kind of tea before commenting on it. I have tried many Asian teas, and found some very bitter and some mild tasting. This tea is far from being bitter. It is soothing, and very nice.

[midnight armadillo]

42. The description from Upton Tea Imports

The description from Upton Tea Imports, which is where I got some samples of this tea from:
These teas are named after the town of Pu-Erh in the province where the style originated. Produced from large-leaf Yunnan teas, Pu-Erhs are available in loose-leaf, tuo-cha, and cake form. Pu-Erh teas have a strong, earthy flavor and aroma due to a double fermentation during which the tea leaves actually begin to decompose.

See? Composted!

I'm more of a black tea drinker than green. And rooibos. Damn, that's good stuff, but it's gotta be plain, not mixed with vanilla or any other weird ingredient.

[AsahinaKimi]

45. Even if it is composted ... I say try it before you blast it...

People get this imagine in their head its full of mold or something...Its not. Its great tea. Why do people have to prejudge a product before they put it in their mouth?

I happen to like Natto too..which is fermented Soy Bean. Most people look at it and go Blech... they won't even brother to try something first..so many people miss out on great stuff when they don't even bother to try it.

The tea I get is dry and in a tea bag. Its no more different than any other tea...

Don't knock it until you tried it.


Pu’er (or Pu-erh) tea has been a popular drink in China for over thousand of years. Drinking Pu’er tea is purported to aid in digestion, reduce blood cholesterol and lipid levels. It is also widely believed in Chinese cultures that tea could counteract the unpleasant effects of heavy alcohol consumption.

[midnight armadillo]

46. I DID try it

and I didn't like it. In fact, I drank about a half dozen cups and used up all that I bought, just to see if I could get used to the taste. I do not fear fermented foods ;)

[nuxvomica]

36. Folger's Crystals

"It's freeze-dried. Freeze-dried Crystals." :)

[Burma Jones]

37. Folgers used to make coffee bags, like tea bags, you would let them steep

I took them backpacking but I don't think they're made anymore.

Now I use Morning Thunder tea when backpacking.

I haven't had instant coffee for at least 20 years.



You could try making coffee concentrate:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/768633539/

[astral]

39. Folgers still makes those

I used them not too long ago. I find them endurable when there's no better option, and better than instant.

[SacredCow]

41. My mom swears by Jazzy Bird freeze-dried coffee....

But I've never tried it.

[Duer 157099]

43. Two words: French press

just as fast as instant and a billion times better

[MajorChode]

48. I don't know if I can go with just as fast, but I'm with ya on the 2nd part

[unpossibles]

44. DOES NOT COMPUTE

http://a3.vox.com/6a00cd970e83b84cd500e398c180f30004-320pi

[blogslut]

47. Instant coffee tastes better

...if you flavor it with a couple of tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. :)

[merh]

49. You buy one of these

Or one of these





There is not such thing as a good tasting faux coffee that some refer to as instant.