Starbucks VIA Coffee for Travel
Anyone who’s stayed in a lot of hotels – for business travel, vacations or both – knows that the quality of the hotel doesn’t necessarily correlate with the quality of the coffee served. You know what I mean; some unassuming little B&B’s serve a fantastic cup of coffee, and some large well-reputed chain hotels serve dreck they call coffee, but really is what David Letterman once called “useless warm brown water.” I love that line! But I DON’T love terrible coffee: It really can mar an otherwise lovely travel experience to have nasty coffee in the morning. That’s why I’m so happy to have found Starbucks VIA, a ready-brew coffee packet that surprisingly comes close to the Starbucks quality coffee I brew at home (and buy, way too often, at Starbucks stores).
Made of the same 100% arabica beans – freshly ground and sealed, of course – as the full-bodies Italian Roast Starbucks blend, VIA is made in a snap. I’ve used it several times already; just pour the grounds in a coffee cup or mug, add hot water, and stir. That’s it! Add sugar and milk if preferred, naturally. Italian Roast is a bold blend, though. For coffee drinkers with milder flavor preferences, the medium blend Columbia brew is a viable option.
Starbucks VIA comes in 3 or 12 servings to a packet. These packs of three are passport-sized and very transportable; perfect for a weekend getaway or quick business travel at a hotel whose coffee is of an unknown quality.
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Oh my goodness. This product is PERFECT for you Mudslide.
Just got back from an (otherwise perfect) lodge in Yosemite that had no in-room coffeemakers. So I brought my own! Yes, the big one that lives in my kitchen. That’s what’s great about road trips.
As for these little via packets, I’m checking them out! I got used to instant coffee in England, where it’s not stigmatized. Go figure.
I just added these to my list of items to pick up for our roadtrip next week. Thanks for the reco!
I just added these to my list of items to pick up for our roadtrip next week. Thanks for the reco!
Should say great post! Looking forward to reading your next post!
Amen on the gotta-have-good-coffee, Sister! Via is my new answer for emergency back-up on road trips. R
Not to discourage your excitement about traveling with your coffee, but why exactly would you want the extra baggage on vacation? (Don’t get me wrong, I can think of many busy business trips where that might be an option)
If the coffee at your hotel sucks, how about trying a local coffee shop around? You might find yourself not only experiencing new flavors, but also meeting new people while you’re out. And if it HAS to be this ONE particular brand – their shop signs now cover nearly every major city in this world – leave alone the United States.
And if you are out in the wild: BE in the wild! Sometimes a little less comfort can make a trip even more memorable. (Ever made bread from scratch over a campfire? Worth a try and lots of fun!)
Cool! Sounds fab. Where did you get them – at a Starbucks? Will have to look for them here in the UK.
it’s called instant coffee.
[...] to share my review of the new Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew coffee. At BlogHer and TBEX this year, Jennifer Miner (SoCalGal) of the Vacation Gals handed out samples. “Ready Brew” is the new marketing term for instant, but [...]
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