Starbucks VIA vs. Nescafe
First of all, I am really into coffee. I am not, however, above instant coffee. I've been using Starbucks VIA, and here's why. It's fancy, it's supposedly better than other instants, and most importantly: I get it for free.
Still, there will most likely come a day when I will cease to receive free weekly rations of coffee. In preparation for that day, I decided to answer this age old question: How much better is the expensive stuff?
So begins the battle. Our players are: Starbucks VIA Columbia, and Nescafe's Hazelnut.
Sight test: The VIA is darker. That is the only difference.
Dissolving test: The Nescafe dissolves much more easily into the tbsp of cold half and half I used.
Aroma test: The Nescafe's aroma evoked a sense of comfort, whereas the VIA's aroma evoked a sense of urgency. Based on smell, the VIA would be better to wake up with.
Taste test: The VIA was much bolder. It had that distinct acidic quality that Latin American coffees tend to have. The downside was that it also had that distinct bitter aftertaste, that comes with coffee that isn't super fresh. The Nescafe was weak, but much smoother to drink. It's major downside was it's lack of "POW!"
Other factors:
Cost: VIA = 83 cents a pack. Nescafe = 15 cents a pack
Ingredients: VIA has one ingredient: coffee. Nescafe has multiple ingredients, including caramel color, added flavors, and a preservative.
So, who is the overall winner? It's really tough to decide. I love the fact that VIA has no added ingredients, but I hate the fact that it costs ten dollars for a twelve-pack. It's ridiculous. My main takeaway from this is that I should just take the time to brew my own coffee.
Still, there must be a victor, and the victor is: drumroll... NESCAFE!
Congratulations, Nescafe! Your inexpensive nature has won over the tightwad in me.
What is your opinion on instant coffee?
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