I have just finished my second cup of Starbucks instant coffee. I must admit, it is the best instant coffee that I have ever tried, and believe me I have tried them all, trying to find one that taste like actual coffee. I was able to get 4 packages (2 of each flavor) from our local Target Starbucks. They are not for public sale yet, but you can get them through the internet. They are a tad pricey. P.S. I have quite the buzz going on. Must have a bit of caffine.....Should have maybe tried one cup first...

Edited by clt1953 on 03/04/2009 05:36:57 MST.

i like to have a large hot cup of coffee in the morning along with some oatmeal when backpacking, especially in cold mornings. in trying to pack light for myself and 3 others (i know, right? guy with biggest backpack syndrome) i have taken instant coffee, dry milk, cocoa, sugar and mixed it all down to a combined powder i place in zip lock bag. it's cheap and simple.

It is well worth the cost!

Reading this thread just inticed me to buy 2 boxes of each type. Up until now I've been using my own home roasted specialty coffee, grinding it the day before I left and placing it in individual mini ziploc bags. That's OK on weekend hikes, but most of my hikes are a month long and the ground coffee usually began to deteriorate in taste after the first week. This will simplify things if it's reasonably good.

For those of you that don't want to buy a 3-pack before tasting the stuff, ask a barista for a sampler. They've give you an individual packet to try for free.

I picked up some samples today.







I did a full review on our Trailcooking blog today.

Didja get me some? :D

Why yes :-P Heck, I got a ton and am handing it out over on my blog to my readers ;-)

I took some of the new Starbucks VIA instant coffee on a backpacking trip this weekend. It was surprised to find that it was very good. I've been backpacking and climbing for 35 years and have been on coffee quest for many of those years. With this new coffee I think I've found the best solution to a light weight, good tasting, easy to make backpacking coffee. I'll be bringing this on all of my Spring treks this year for sure.

I haven't tried it yet...but I will. I need my coffee in the monrning - whether at home or on the trail. My wife is Vietnamse and her family introduced me a fews years ago to Vinacafe instant Vietnamese coffee; you can get it in black of premixed w/ cream and sugar; it has exceptional taste and is very strong - almost expresso level. Here is a link if anyone wants to check them out and compare to other instants out there:

http://www.vinacafebienhoa.com/rd_en.asp?pgid=products_en&groupid=3

Cheers,
Christopher

Edited by Trailmouse on 03/10/2009 03:20:01 MDT.

I tried some at a store last night and it was very drinkable. I bought a three pack of the french roast to try as I like BIG coffee :)

I'll have check with baristas for more samples-- the stuff isn't cheap.

As I wrote above, I started with an order for 4 boxes, 2 Italian Roast and 2 Columbian (12 packages in each). Since each package only makes 8oz, I'll be using 2 in my almost full .550L cup/pot. This will certainly be easier to use on the trail.

Edited by Quoddy on 03/15/2009 14:13:43 MDT.

I am not a coffe connoisseur, but do drink a lot of it. I will have to try the SB's. I have found the only tolerable instant coffe for me to be Nescafe Classico Instant Coffee. Sometimes it is in the coffee section at your market, or you may need to try the 'ethnic' foods section.

I'm a French Roast drinker... Pretty much can only Drink Starbuck's or Peet's..

As I'm in Ca. had to order on line . and could only choose Italian or Columbia.. Choose the Italian..

Tastes like Starbuck's instant coffee..

BUMMER !!

Guess I'll need to continue to lug around my big freezer bag of Starbuck's

Man, I gotta try this.
I'm stopping by a SB's tomorrow to check.

"Pretty much can only Drink Starbuck's or Peet's.."

Now if only Peets would make instant coffee...UL coffee Nirvana.

The local Starbucks lady informed me today that they don't carry it anywhere in MN. She said it was currently very limited and you couldn't get it in most regions. What? Guess I gotta shop online.

Dan,

It seems they brought it out in person only in the general Seattle area and was it Boston (or Chicago?). Everyone else has to do mail order.

I am guessing test marketing?

According to the barista I talked to, it was Chicago.

Yeah, out here - even in the middle of nowhere, since I live on the edge of King County (Seattle's county) both Staruck's had samples. During the first couple days they were handing 4 or more packets on every visit!
-Which is why I did the giveaway a week or so ago :-D I shared the wealth...lol!

We have in stock at the local SB's both the 3 and 12 packs.