Starbucks VIA Tastes Okay, but It’s Still A Rip-Off
By: Keith
Coffee isn’t really my thing. I drink one cup per day at the most and sometimes just 2 or 3 per week. I’m the wrong guy to ask when it comes to the subtle textures and aromas of coffee. I do however know what good coffee tastes like and what bad coffee tastes like. Most coffee for me lies right in between, in the area where it just doesn’t make a difference. Starbucks VIA is in that spot. It’s coffee and it doesn’t taste horrible. End of story, end of the taste review.
What is Starbucks VIA, and is it Worth the Cost?
It’s those little packets of instant coffee that Starbucks has been selling at about 3 dollars for a package of three. Actually, according to their packaging, it’s a blend of micro-ground Arabica coffee and instant coffee. In other words, it’s really easy to produce because it’s either cheap ol’ instant coffee or regular coffee that’s ground on a finer setting than espresso. They say that there are no other ingredients. So that’s it; there is absolutely nothing special about it whatsoever. The price is what makes it special, and not in a good way. Regular Starbucks coffee is already pretty expensive at around 12 dollars per pound. VIA is three tiny little packets (each one makes an 8 oz cup) totaling 9.9 grams. Do the math and you’ll see that you’re getting 2.2 percent of a pound of coffee for 3 dollars. If their normal coffee were priced the same it would cost 135 dollars per pound, and they’ll grind it for you for free (isn’t that nice?).
Does it Save Time?
Yes, it saves 4 minutes. 4 minutes is how long it takes for a French press to do it’s job. Oh, and maybe another 20 seconds for the time it takes to rinse out the press. If you don’t have 4 minutes in the morning to make a good cup of coffee, and you’re so hooked on coffee that you don’t mind spending 135 dollars per lb on it, I’d like to meet you because you’re a pretty interesting person. There is, however, one legitimate use for these packets – hotel stays. VIA packets are completely worth the price if you’re in a hotel for a few days and you hate using those crappy little coffee machines as much as most of us do. Yes, hotels are a legitimate use, but I can’t think of any other reason people could justify the expense. The time savings aren’t huge, the cost is ridiculous, and it tastes only moderately better than Nescafe. Like I said, it takes a special sort of person to buy these for daily use.
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VIA packets are completely worth the price if you’re in a hotel for a few days and you hate using those crappy little coffee machines as much as most of us do.
I’d have to disagree here, too. I have a stainless-steel French Press that I pack with me to hotel stays. I use the crappy little coffee machine to make hot water (it does that very well, and they usually have a timer, too, so the water is waiting when I get up) and then use that to make my coffee. I grind my beans at home and pre-package them in snack sized zip-lock bags, which I can re-use
I know … not fresh ground … but still better than Via! I can pack a week’s worth of coffee easily inside my press, throw it in my bag, and I’m off!
The best part … want to know where I bought the stainless steel press for travel?
Starbucks!
.-= goofdad´s last blog ..Saying "YES!" =-.
Goofdad: You make a good point about the press. I was just thinking that when I’m at a hotel I want something quick and without hassle, and the VIA things would be ok for that. But, you’re definitely right. French press makes the best coffee and if you’re willing to do a little planning then that is the best option, and not too hard either. I bought these VIA things for the sole purpose of writing a review.
I agree and disagree.
First, where are you buying VIA at? At my local Starbucks, it is $2.95 for a 3 pack, and $9.95 for a 12 pack. So, just over half the cost of $5 that you said.
Since a cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks is $1.50, it is slightly less than that, albeit much more than brewing a full pot.
Yes Yes YES! French press is best. I have all my great tools at home for making great coffee. However, I don’t always have that when I am out and about. I used to bring my press on vacation with me, but that got to be a hassle. I mean an 8-cup stainless steel press, whole beans, scoop, and grinder takes up a heck of a lot more room in my suitcase than little packs of VIA. Lately, as Phoenix hits 100, I have been putting a couple packets in my water bottle, and enjoying a little iced coffee. That really hits the spot.
But my favorite thing to do with VIA? FOOD. I mix a packet of Italian, in 2 cups of BBQ sauce, and it really makes a great “smokey” marinade. My wife put a packet in her brownies, and made “Mocha Brownies”. That has been the fun experiments. Look around the web for recipes using “soluble coffee”. Let me tell you, using VIA is much better than Folgers Crystals, and others.
…just my 2 beans
WO
@WOnet
.-= WO´s last blog ..Shop Local, or not =-.
WO: That’s how much they cost on Amazon. Starbuck’s own website sells a 12 pack for 10 dollars. You’re right. I should correct that. I did buy my 3 pack for 3 bucks. 3 x 45 is 135 dollars per pound. I looked at my receipt and saw 6 bucks and then saw them for 5 dollars on Amazon. I naturally drew the correlation between those prices and called it normal. I didn’t remember I had bought 2 3 packs from Starbucks and not 1. I will make that correction right now. Thanks for letting me know, Warren. I still think 135 dollars per lb is a bit steep.
Oh my goodness I am laughing so hard but feel so foolish. I bought a ten pack when it first came out. It was only due to the pouty bottom lips of the baristas, who were in a contest with a rival Starbucks over who could sell the most Via in the first week. They give me great service all year long so I did them a favor. But I agree – not worth $135/lb.
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Earth Fair 2010 Photos | The Exploratorium – When a Cup is Not a Cup =-.
Megan: I must admit to falling victim to a friendly barista more than once in my starbucks experiences. They must train them well
Oops, I guess I bought a 12 pack.
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Earth Fair 2010 Photos | The Exploratorium – When a Cup is Not a Cup =-.
i happen to think starbucks via is great. its not suppose to substitute fresh brew coffee. its purpose is to provide starbucks quality coffee for those not able to always have tools to have it on demand; like people who dont have brewers, french presses or people that hate coffee at work/school or whatever your situation calls for. a three pack of via is only 295 and the 6 pack of flavored via is 595. which is about 90 cents for a cup that would cost 150 in store plus 40 cents for your flavor of choice. and a 12 pack saves you even more. starbucks worked on via ready brew for 20 years because they didnt want to put out a product that doesnt meet starbucks standards. obviously starbucks is sucessful at providing great tasting quality coffee which is why it seems you all are regulars. starbucks via is microground coffee that now comes decafinated, iced, and in different flavors and there are no artificial chemicals like in regular instant coffee; just micro-ground coffee beans! via will never change the starbucks experience but its just providing other options for those committed to the company. it would be nearly impossible to create something that can taste exactly like a french press and be instant which is why there is a slight difference inn taste. but i promise you during the taste challenge more than 80% could not taste the difference… and via is great in food as well. mocha cookies are the best!
First of all, this stuff is not cheap. However, comparing the weight of one Via to a pound of coffee, and coming up with $135/pound is not a correct calculation. The entire contents of the Via pack is used in producing a cup of coffee. Regular coffee grounds are only filtered through, leaving most of the pulp behind. If you took one pound of Via, it would make a lot more coffee than one pound of regular coffee. Yes, it is still expensive, but cheaper than buying the equivalent brewed coffee at Starbucks, and I think it tastes pretty close. The best deal I have found is at Amazon.com or Costco. 50 packets cost around $33.00, which is about 66 cents per packet.