BeBop Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 I can't have a coffee maker and only rarely can I get away from my workday to visit a coffee shop. Seems like I've tried all "the usual suspects" for instant coffee (aside from Starbucks, which I refuse to patronize). Is it all swill, or is there something that vaguely resembles the real thing? Over the years, the decaf/caf gap seems to have narrowed among brewed coffees. So how about a breakthrough on the "instant" front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Why can't you have a coffee maker? Starbucks make a big deal out of their new instant coffee several months ago (within the last year, at most). Never tried it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 I don't have either a home or a regular worksite/office. I'm a business traveler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmce Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Sorry to say that the Starbucks is the best I've ever had, by far (even though that's not saying a whole lot). The next closest is Mexican Nescafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Ahhh yes, Nescafe. I can't say I'm as familiar with the Mexican version as some ofthe European, African and Asian versions, but I'd agree - better-than-average. The stuff I've gotten in the US, though, hasn't been up to snuff. Actually, it tasted like snuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Sorry to say that the Starbucks is the best I've ever had, by far (even though that's not saying a whole lot). The next closest is Mexican Nescafe. Without having had Mexican Nescafe, in a pinch I could recommend ol' Bustelo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewHill Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 If there's a Dunkin Donuts around, I highly recommend their French vanilla coffee; it is out of this world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 The Starbucks instant is the best I've had. Rest assured, BeBop; I was given a box full of the sample packs for free- no money exchanged hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 The Starbucks instant is the best I've had. Rest assured, BeBop; I was given a box full of the sample packs for free- no money exchanged hands! The only time I drink Starbucks is when my hotel gives it to me for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnymax Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 First choice: Café Bustelo Instant Espresso Second choice: Nescafe's Taster's Choice Gourmet Roast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Nescafé Gold (regular) is my preferred instant coffee http://www.nescafe.com/worldwide/en/nescafe/Pages/Nescafe+products.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Never had a cup of Starbucks that I didn't dislike. For instant, the best I have had is Nescafé Taster's Choice 100% Columbian. After WWII, when they introduced instant coffee in Denmark, there was only one brand: Nescafé. It became a generic term for instant coffee. When I first came here (U.S.) as an adult, I fell in love with Horn & Hardart's coffee (hated the very thick cups, however) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Never tried the Café Bustelo Instant Espresso, but I'm going to order some up to be sent ahead to my next hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Garrett Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Never tried the Café Bustelo Instant Espresso, but I'm going to order some up to be sent ahead to my next hotel. I used to practically live off Bustelo and Marlboro Reds. Quit smoking at least 15 years ago, and essentially gave up caffeine a couple of years ago after being strongly advised to by my doctor. I'll occasionally have a Coke or iced tea, but no more high-octane coffee - now it's decaf espresso for me (and I'm fully aware of the cognitive dissonance those two words tend to inspire when put together). Never knew Bustelo had an instant version, but if it's comparable to the regular stuff it's gotta be good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertrand Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I thought the Trader Joe's instant was excellent, but then they discontinued it and replaced it with an acceptable but not nearly as good Columbian. Then, lo and behold, I saw last week-end that the original instant was back! Trader Joe's often discontinues products due to poor sales (they're the Blue Note of grocery stores), but this is the first time I've ever seen them bring a product back. I will have to ask if a petition was signed or what. Trader Joe's deserves its own thread; man, I love that place. Bertrand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Trader Joe's deserves its own thread; man, I love that place. Same here; I sure miss it after my move to the middle of nowhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I like Nescafé Blend 37, though I should drink Fair Trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 1960 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 If there's a Dunkin Donuts around, I highly recommend their French vanilla coffee; it is out of this world. Agreed, although now and then I like to order there Dunkaccino which is am awesome blend of hot chocolate and coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Decent-Tasting Instant Coffee? Is soy as good as milk? Not possible. Coffee is either brewed or it's not. Don't settle for second best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrdlu Posted April 2, 2010 Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 When I was a kid, Nescafé was pretty good. But today, and for many years, all the instant that I have come across is battery acid. When in England, if they say "We only have instant", go for the tea, lol. Seriously. (And, in America, avoid the tea, other than iced.) Even though you are traveling around, why not get some real coffee and one of those conical Melitta filter holders? Then you can make some great coffee for yourself in your motel room. I did that for years in Motel 6s etc. It is just as quick as instant too. A reasonably priced, but very nice coffee is Costco's "Kirkland Signature" Colombian, in a 3 1/2 lb tin. I use that every day, and I make it as I described - much quicker and you avoid having to clean all the bits of a coffee machine - and, the coffee doesn't stand on the hotplate, where a chemical reaction is taking place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted April 2, 2010 Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 didn't PDQ write a Concerto for Horn and Hardart? I've actually never had instant coffee. Probably because my father drank the stuff, and he was crazy. So I'm afraid it will make me crazy too (allright, easy set up for you guys) - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted April 2, 2010 Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 didn't PDQ write a Concerto for Horn and Hardart? I've actually never had instant coffee. Probably because my father drank the stuff, and he was crazy. So I'm afraid it will make me crazy too (allright, easy set up for you guys) - Yes, and it was almost as good as the coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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