Let me be clear up front -- I am not a coffee connoisseur by any means. I am not a fan of coffee houses and do not frequent Starbucks or such. I don't even drink coffee every day like a lot of folks do. But occasionally, I like a good cup of joe with breakfast or to warm up on cold mornings. I don't want anything fancy--just coffee. BUT...even though I am not a coffee snob, I generally haven't liked instant coffee much in the past. It doesn't usually taste like freshly-brewed coffee to me. When I make coffee at home, I normally make it in an old-style percolator on my stove. And I normally use regular coffee brands like Maxwell House or Folgers.
I bought this coffee to carry with me when camping and backpacking. Lugging a coffee pot and bag of coffee grounds around in your backpack and then lugging the used grounds back out with you is not something I want to have to do to be able to enjoy a cup of coffee in the backcountry or even in a campground. I was planning to sacrifice a little on the quality and flavor for the sake of convenience -- this coffee is premeasured into the little tubes like you can get to mix with water for lemonade and such. Just open a tube and add it to hot water and you have coffee...only thing you have to lug out is a little empty foil tube for each cup you make. Not a huge deal, right?
Turns out that this actually tastes pretty good! It is comparable to the regular coffee I brew at home or get with breakfast in a restaurant. It is not coffee-house coffee if that is what you are looking for. It isn't some foo-foo-flavored coffee either. But it is a solid cup of coffee that is a LOT easier to make than by brewing with coffee grounds and will work very well for the purpose I bought it, but it also is very convenient for making a single-cup quickly without needing to do the whole Keurig thing. Since it was down in the 20s here this morning, I wanted a cup of coffee first thing when I got up, and this was quick and easy--pour the contents of a tube into my cup, run some hot water in from the faucet, and then nuke it in the microwave for a minute or so and I was ready to go!
I am likely to buy this again in the future. Again, for the purpose I bought this, it is perfect as well as a great value. The fact that it tastes better than I expected is a plus and makes it pretty much a lock that I will buy it again.
Instant beverages made with 100% High Altitude Arabica Coffee Beans
