Instant Starbucks

I just stopped by Starbucks for a medium (yes – I refuse to order by saying tall, grande, or venti) and they had samples out for an anniversary blend, and for Via, which is being released in about a week.  They didn’t tell me Via is an instant coffee…but I knew, and then the barristas fessed up.  Was it terrible?  No.  Was it as good as Elite (Israeli instant coffee)?  No.  The kosher markets in Rockville probably carry Elite.  I’m really not sure what the point of Starbucks selling instant coffee is;  seems like they are muddying their image (pun intended).

Here is a CNN article on Via.

I also tried their “International” blend which I enjoyed.

In other coffee news, I tried the coffee at newcomer Chinatown Coffee Company.  Nick Cho (of the now closed Murky Coffee) is involved with it, but instead of Counter Culture (which Tryst and Open City use and Murky used), they are using Intelligencia coffee.  The verdict – I enjoyed the coffee and the gingerbread biscotti.

-JAY