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#123330 - 11/03/09 04:02 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: bbcg59]
gmagnes Offline
Moderator

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 562
Loc: Upstate New York
Checked Organic Direct, but they don't list any Mt. Hagen coffee. There is another brand of Organic, freeze dried coffee for $3-4 for 3.5 ozs., but they seem to have discontinued the Mt. Hagen or at least be totally out of it.

By the way, I checked with my local Starbucks, and the Via is supposed to come out with a decaf version in November sometime. As others have noted, VIA is a step above other instants that I've tried, but like all of the Starbucks coffee, if I drink the caffinated version after dinner, I won't sleep for days.
On a related note, can someone help me out with their solution for milk or cream for coffee on multi day trips. I've recently used the small containers from Burger King, and they seem to have lasted more than one day, but I'm never sure what can be used over several days without spoiling and what can't.
Thanks,
Gerry

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#123376 - 11/04/09 04:00 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: gmagnes]
acronym Offline
member

Registered: 08/28/07
Posts: 30
Loc: Boston - MA
Land o' lakes Mini Moos - shelf life is listed as 2 months unrefrigerated.

I've used some over 4 months old before I read the expiration date, I think I'm

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#123653 - 11/11/09 11:40 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Zalman]
Furlough Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/08/09
Posts: 9
Loc: Northern Virginia
Originally Posted By Zalman
Starbucks was outlawed in my town, but they exploited a loophole and managed to set up a 12' square store inside the existing Safeway.


I will have to visit our Safeway or Giant SB stands to say if they have it and give it a go.

Furlough

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#123995 - 11/18/09 08:29 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
Budzy Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/16/09
Posts: 10
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
I used this a couple of weeks ago and it is a great substitute for my regular coffee. The nice thing is that I can leave the mini french press at home.

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#124074 - 11/19/09 04:35 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: gmagnes]
WinterWarlock Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/18/09
Posts: 1
Loc: Rochester, NY
Originally Posted By gmagnes
Checked Organic Direct, but they don't list any Mt. Hagen coffee. There is another brand of Organic, freeze dried coffee for $3-4 for 3.5 ozs., but they seem to have discontinued the Mt. Hagen or at least be totally out of it.

Thanks,
Gerry


Just found Mt Hagen on Amazon ....I bought some of the Via because I thought it was pretty good, but is spendy, so if this is a good alternative thanks for the recommendation.

Wow - just realized this is my first post! What a noob...


Edited by WinterWarlock (11/19/09 04:36 PM)

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#124101 - 11/20/09 03:29 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
NiytOwl Offline
member

Registered: 11/06/04
Posts: 501
Loc: California
Has anyone else tried both the Trader Joe's instant coffee and Via? I've only had the former, not the latter. IMO TJ's coffee is pretty good for instant. Not as good as what comes out of the espresso machine, but entirely passable as brewed coffee. 3.5 oz for $3 is a lot cheaper than Via.

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#124143 - 11/21/09 11:50 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
weight2funratio Offline
member

Registered: 02/21/08
Posts: 20
Loc: MN
Does anybody else think that maybe coffee is Toxic? I mean, wouldn't it kill you if you had it for breakfast with a handful of MSG coated peanuts?(that's for you Rooketman) wink
_________________________
If a robot could carry my stuff, I'd make him carry me with my Osprey on my back any way.

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#124196 - 11/22/09 04:40 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: gmagnes]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I heard about the decaf Via, too, but I haven't seen it yet. My experience with Starbucks decaf is that it appears to have about as much caffeine as normal caffeinated coffee from other vendors. Starbucks caffeinated (including Via) has me climbing the walls! If regular coffee at night keeps you awake, I wouldn't use the decaf Via at night.

I'm a cafe au lait/latte drinker at home, but I have not found a dried milk that doesn't taste weird when heated, no matter how strong the coffee. There's also the problem of avoiding lumps. I won't use non-dairy creamer (too much of a purist, I guess). That's why I drink tea when I backpack. Cleanup is much simpler with tea, too--no milk residue! I especially like herbal tea after dinner. Coffee and regular tea both tend to act as diuretics, and I already have to get up enough times during the night without adding them to my evening diet.

Gerry, I suggest you try a bunch of different kinds of non-dairy creamer and dried milk (buy the smallest packages you can find) at home and see what works best for you. I would think that for a 2-3 day trip the Burger King or similar stuff would keep, unless it's really hot weather. You could keep them wrapped in something in the middle of your pack during the day to help keep them cool.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#124212 - 11/22/09 10:47 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: OregonMouse]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Just found the decaf Via in the St.Arbuck's at the neighborhood Safeway. Knowing how much caffeine is in their decaff espresso, I won't try it until tomorrow morning. They had only the Italian roast, not the Columbian, in decaf.

EDIT--next day: I tried it for breakfast. The taste of the decaf seems no different from the caffeinated version. It's far superior to most decaf instant. I don't think it's completely decaffeinated, though--neither is the decaf that St.Arbuck's serves in their stores. I didn't get as much of a buzz as when drinking the regular, but there definitely was a buzz that I don't get with other brands of decaf. I wouldn't want to drink it at bedtime. If you have blood pressure problems, you probably want to avoid Starbucks altogether!


Edited by OregonMouse (11/23/09 05:13 PM)
Edit Reason: Additional info
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#124350 - 11/24/09 05:38 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: weight2funratio]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
Starbucks may be poison !!! America runs on Dunkin crazy
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The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

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#129553 - 02/26/10 10:25 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
thomasjurisd Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/26/10
Posts: 1
Loc: Houston, TX
I just picked up a pack of this today and just wanted to point out that it is not the "instant" flavor crystal stuff most people have come to hate. This is actually just starbucks beans microground to a fine powder, which makes it regular coffee "via" a different transport method in my opinion... I would bet that if you let a cup sit for a day or two some of the powder would settle back to the bottom. This happens to the powder that makes it through my drip makers filter at home when I grind the coffee really fine.

Also, this is my first post so in an attempt to get my two cents worth I'll also mention that this beats the hell out of my old method of grinding my own coffee at home and vacuum sealing it for pack trips. Well worth the buck for convenience. By the way, I hate that stuff made with flavor crystals...doesn't taste at all like coffee to me.

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#129962 - 03/03/10 11:51 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: orclwzrd]
redroach Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/02
Posts: 366
Loc: Houston, Texas
I steal little packets of splenda from the local Valero station. They have it there for coffee.
Very light.
Two or so do for a cup of coffee

TV

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#129996 - 03/03/10 05:56 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
I used to carry instant but ever since 'Bucks opened a store on the summit of Mt. Whitney I can get fresh brew directly from the source.

_________________________
If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*

* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.

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#130080 - 03/04/10 03:22 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Trailrunner]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
TR I think we oughta strap on our guns and climb up there right now. goodjob
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#130241 - 03/05/10 08:23 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Jimshaw]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Well, how 'bout the convergence?

Via&Backpackermag&Seattle Times

Cheers,
_________________________
--Rick

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#130754 - 03/15/10 06:47 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Rick_D]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Boiling and stirring too much work?

Well Sparky, there's an alternative:

Inhale your joe?
_________________________
--Rick

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#130764 - 03/15/10 09:57 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: thomasjurisd]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
For what its worth, Bigfoot gave me a packet of via and I had fine grounds in the bottom of the cup. So is this a suspension or a solution? I don't think such a small amount of ground coffee could be so strong. perhaps it is an "augmented" ground coffee... blush

I just carry original coffee mate non-dairy creamer because I'm lactose intolerant. I also use it on my instant oatmeal.
Jim


Edited by Jimshaw (03/15/10 09:59 PM)
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#130767 - 03/15/10 10:45 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Jimshaw]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By Jimshaw
For what its worth, Bigfoot gave me a packet of via and I had fine grounds in the bottom of the cup. So is this a suspension or a solution? I don't think such a small amount of ground coffee could be so strong. perhaps it is an "augmented" ground coffee... blush


The pack says it's instant and "microground" coffee - so I'd say yeah - there's real ground coffee in there too.. I notice the bit of very fine ground in the bottom too.

_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#130803 - 03/16/10 01:26 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Hmm, I'd assumed it was just de-watered "French press" coffee to explain the solids, but instant+"microground" sounds more interesting.

I'm thankful for the Costco tip, as it's quite a bit cheaper from there. They need to add Italian roast to their selection, though.

Cheers,

Originally Posted By phat
Originally Posted By Jimshaw
For what its worth, Bigfoot gave me a packet of via and I had fine grounds in the bottom of the cup. So is this a suspension or a solution? I don't think such a small amount of ground coffee could be so strong. perhaps it is an "augmented" ground coffee... blush


The pack says it's instant and "microground" coffee - so I'd say yeah - there's real ground coffee in there too.. I notice the bit of very fine ground in the bottom too.

_________________________
--Rick

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#131093 - 03/22/10 06:26 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. + Milk question? [Re: OregonMouse]
ndsol Offline
member

Registered: 04/16/02
Posts: 678
Loc: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted By OregonMouse
My experience with Starbucks decaf is that it appears to have about as much caffeine as normal caffeinated coffee from other vendors. Starbucks caffeinated (including Via) has me climbing the walls! If regular coffee at night keeps you awake, I wouldn't use the decaf Via at night.


I understand how decaf might be higher compared to other vendors, but since federal regulations require that in order to label coffee as "decaffeinated" that coffee must have had its caffeine level reduced by no less than 97.5 percent, I don't see how it can reach regular coffee levels.

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#132407 - 04/20/10 04:35 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: orclwzrd]
redroach Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/02
Posts: 366
Loc: Houston, Texas
Tiny packets of Splenda that you take from the gas station or Chick Filet

TV

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#132410 - 04/20/10 05:53 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
I tried a little experiment when camping last weekend.
I brought Hills Brothers regular grind coffee, some Kona coffee beans I'd ground into a fine dust, and some Folgers instant. A couple beans worth of the Kona dust in a teaspoon of the instant Folgers tasted almost like the Via. The kona dust did sink to the bottom of the cup, like the Via.
I made a big pot of cowboy coffee with the Hills Bros. and 1/3rd Kona, all settling to the bottom of the pot after a few minutes. Via knockoff is fairly easy to make.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#132600 - 04/23/10 09:38 PM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: Dryer]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
yeah, I'm seriously contemplating trying this same trick.

1/3rd real beans eh?
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#132611 - 04/24/10 12:36 AM Re: Starbucks VIA instant.. ok. wow.. [Re: phat]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
1/3rd real beans eh?


No....2-3 beans ground to super fine powder. My grinder pulverizes beans very fine. Screen out the bigger chunks and discard. Mix the bean powder with a teaspoon of instant. Experiment around. It's hard to go wrong...all good.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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