I think Joe Coffee that also does limited specialty instant coffee does ship international (as long as you're serviced by UPS). Steeped Coffee (single serve coffee in teabags) also ships internationally
"Not gonna add sugar or creamer." *adds water* *fancied spoon tings while mixing* *sips* "Bold, tasty, slightly acidic... Lovely coffee. Without the sugar, you can really taste the quality." *sips again* "It has this fruity taste, relatively dark, but not as much as Type III. It really is a great coffee to start your day, even better with this fully hydrated Blueberries with Milk."
Curious, I bought some Starbucks instant and while not premium, it did cost more. They did manage to capture that awful burnt taste every cup of Starbucks I've ever bought brewed had.
I remember when Starbucks introduced their Via Instant Coffee. They were giving out free samples around the city. It was worse than Folgers, and I have no love for Folgers. It also had trouble dissolving. It also claimed that it dissolved easily in cold water. Spoiler: It didn't.
@@eatfresh4evr Their Via instant was very odd. It wasn't freeze dried. They instead found a way to micro-grind their coffee into a powder so pulverized it would dissolve in water. Tasted awful, but I have no idea if it was the process or just their usual awful coffee.
I'm a Home Roaster. A lot of what I roast costs me $25 for 5lbs shipped. After roasting, that's about 4.4lbs or 2000 grams for easy math. I brew 60 grams per liter and drink 750ml each morning. So basically I buy 2000 grams of roasted coffee for $25. That's $0.0125 per gram meaning each morning I drink $0.56 worth of my own fresh coffee. If I'm running behind and don't have the time to grind and drip through the Moccamaster, I can swing by the drive thru at my local coffee shop and get a small coffee for $1 before 8am in about 30 seconds. It's a good blend and much better than Starbucks or anywhere else. If I'm feeling froggy, I can get a 20oz Americano with an extra shot of espresso for around $4. That said, $3.20 each for Voila is not all that bad. If I'm going to go backpacking my choices are to pack at a minimum a hand grinder, an aeropress, and fresh beans. Not only do these items take up space, but they take up weight too and depending on where you're going, weight is a premium. An Aeropress is 8oz. A grinder is 8oz to 1.2lbs. Bean weight needs no explanation. So you can pack an extra 2-2.5lbs plus the volume those items take up, or you could pack that tiny box of tiny packets. There's value in that, and $3.20 for the convenience of pouring hot water into an instant coffee that tastes good when you're feeling tired, beat up and busy doing other things around camp is a small price to pay over lugging all that stuff around on top of all your other gear. $3.20 instant coffee shouldn't be your daily plan anyway, but there's a time and place for a product like that, that makes it feel premium.
This! You have hit the nail on the head. You pay for convenience, and you pay for ease. Couldn't have worded it better than that second paragraph. (However, I would possibly agree that 750ml/ 26oz+ of coffee in a morning is a *strong* personal choice..!)
Shocked this was 2 years ago already, feels like I only just discovered you! Any chance of a part two to this video James? Curious to see if things have changed/developed since 2018.
I agree that it's a lot of plastic. Maybe recyclable. But I'm also going to take a guess that the packets are not just paper, but multiple layered materials (foil, plastic) so then they wouldn't be recyclable so you shouldn't be putting them in the compost or the paper recycling, but less waste in the first place is better. My interest would be in camping/travel (otherwise I wouldn't bother with individual portions at all, so the positive nature of this video is great.
So far the greatest freeze-dried instant coffee I have tried is Mount Hagen Organic, better than Starbucks VIA Colombia in my opinion. Definitely gonna try these three new brands in the near future.
My coffee game has gotten better but I still love me a cup of Nescafe. It what I grew up with and if I'm in a rush for even if I'm not. I'll make a cup here and there
@@jgbelmont He means that you hear Hoffman's voice, and something in it reminds you of your own beta characteristics so you shield yourself from dealing with your weakness by putting down what you perceive as a weakness in Hoffman.
Have you ever tried dissolving the instant coffee with a little room temp water first? then pouring hot water? I've read on the internet that it makes instant coffee smoother. I've tried it too, i think it does make the coffee smoother..
It would be great to see some UK companies/roasters getting into this market. As these (as is so often the case) are US based, the cost per coffee when you add in the weak Pound, shipping (and then possible import duties and Post Office charges) mean this is currently way too pricey at present (potentially over £3 a cup at minimum). Certainly be keen to try; having never liked the flavour of any instant coffees, I have to rely on my trusty aeropress and hand grinder whenever I'm on the road or travelling - specialty instant would be perfect when that, or a good coffee shop, isn't an option.
True, though given it's early days, one can assume economy of scale hasn't really kicked-in yet. If these are good enough to actually sell, once it does, the price should drop significantly.
"Approachable" is Folgers which would totally account for a $1.50 price. But considering these are meant to be higher end? $4 is pretty much what's expected from one cup of coffee.
Interestingly, all three of the websites for buying these coffees are now effectively dead (voila works, but has nothing for sale). Does this tell us something about the desire for "artisan" instant coffee? -Dx
I had an instant coffee once which had a very small amount of fine ground coffee. Most off the taste came from the dehydrated coffee, finer notes from the coffee grounds. So they sleep while you drink and you won't notice them. It's a clever hack if you will
I just tasted Voila. There decaf is exquisite. I buy it for the few times, now and then, that I am in a rush, quick out the door to work, but grab a pack of Voila and know that I am going to have a fantastic cup of decaf once at work. The convenience with no compromise on the quality is worth the price for those occasions.
In Sweden coffee in teabags have finally been introduced, and while not cheap either, it's cheaper than these ones and almost as convenient. It's waayy tastier than the cheap instant nescafé gold etc
Very interesting and timely video for me. I've tried Sudden just out of curiosity, and then saw that a local roaster of mine had some of their coffee turned into instant by Swift Cup, so I grabbed some in my recent order from the roaster and haven't had a chance to try it yet. This roaster is definitely a local place with no national attention, so it was interesting to me that they were offering their own coffee as instant.
@James Hoffman: The last line you said stays with me; "The future of coffee might be instant, and may not be coffee pods". With the technological advancements in freeze drying, I feel that is indeed a possibility. Do you foresee instant coffee being able to match up with a freshly brewed cup of coffee sometime in the future?
Even after watching this video and the Supermarket Instant Coffee one, I can honestly say, I 've never met an instant coffee I liked, let alone loved....I love the history of instant coffee and how Gertrude Berg's husband played a big role in it.....But regardless, I have higher hopes for hot chocolate in envelopes....
I go backpacking every fall. Normally I rock Starbucks Via. But the past couple years I’ve seen some different quality instant options at REI. Cool to see that it’s catching on. Not an everyday thing for me but it’s easier and lighter then any backpacking coffee option I’ve seen
Great thoughts on the potential of instant coffee. It could be interesting to investigate the effect on taste of the freeze-drying process - such as through a comparison of the same bean/blend brewed conventionally, instant and capsule.
If this is true, could it be because the Nescafe products are researched and designed to appeal to the masses, and not specifically to those who are looking for a specialty coffee?
Sooo Starbucks Via is out completely? Seems to be the best I've had here in the states (tho I really hate saying that about Starbucks). Of course I'm a complete novice so YMMV.
I agree. I bought it for camping and liked out so much I got some for work. And when you options are between Via and Taster's Choice, the choice is pretty clear.
Two of the three instant coffees in the video are out of business (I just checked). Only Voila is still in business but they have a different coffee that they sell every month, so if you fall in love with one of them and you can't get it ever again. I'll tell you a secret, if you don't have the time or you are traveling then get Bustelo instant coffee, its in slim soft plastic tubes that you can carry on, just tear and pout and your coffee is ready. It available in all the major supermarkets, if its not on the shelf then insists that they order it for you, all the distributes can get it easily. Its good coffee, Bustelo instant is not processed like the other instant coffees on the market, there are no chemicals and no weird machinery involved, Bustelo simply freeze dries top quality Columbian beans (I love Columbian coffee beans) then grinds them and packages them immediately so that they can maintain as much flavor as possible (far more than the ridiculously expensive hipster instant coffees, all of which make weak coffee with no aroma). The Bustelo instant coffee tubes are fantastic for travel, we take them everywhere and since my family have been coffee aficionados and drinking Bustelo for over 75 years (Bustelo was founded in 1929 and the only make gourmet coffee at supermarket coffee prices, its the best value in the coffee world) because we like it so much. Yes, we regularly taste everyone else's hipster coffee of the month, they are cute and interesting but none of them makes for a good everyday coffee for us. In fact the Bustelo instant coffee is also available in jars (we get the 7 oz jar, its a fantastic deal) as well so when we are in a rush at hime we just grab the jar and have instant coffee that tastes so good that people think tat i served them gourmet coffee. If you like to alternate your gourmet instant coffee, then Bustelo has that as well, try their Supreme freeze dried instant coffee, its so yummy. We are not related to Bustelo in any way, we simply love great products that are very reasonably priced so us normal people can afford them and that is where Bustelo really succeeds. www.cafebustelo.com
Only coffee I like and drink daily is Nescafe lyx. I can't drink other coffees anymore for some reason my stomach gets a bit upset when I try other types than Nescafe.
Did you try the one cup type brew coffee? They come in individual carton origami-type drip container and are really, REALLY good at brewing a drip coffee on the go. This is my thrid trip in Japan and Im always impatient to try a different brand! They have great selection, from starbucks, to Mon cafe, etc. Highly recommend!
I love instant coffee since I live alone. My favorite is the store brand Noblesse Exquisito Oro from Migros in Switzerland. I fill my free luggage space with 200g bags like a drug mule.
What about Starbucks Via Instant coffee? It is a combo of traditional instant coffee (from their own roasts), and a micro-grind of those same roasts. I am not a fan of instant coffee, but for a single serving of something when I am travelling somewhere I can't rely on a good cuppa, they are perfect. We also keep some in our 72 hr kits, b/c, you know, in an emergency, there's no reason to also torture yourself with a crappy cup of coffee!
Tandom Coffee Roasters in Portland Maine has 2 instant coffee offerings. They are pretty decent and are only $2.50 usd per packet. ($15 per box) One is blend and the other is Ethiopian.
A few things I’m interested in with this is: 1 mineral content of the water you use seems like an interesting thing to discuss. In your previous video you mentioned mineral content having a significant effect on extraction. In this scenario, I wonder if these coffees would taste better brewed with DI. Or are they possibly brewed with DI to begin with? 2. One of the things you glazed over a tad when you mentioned loss of aromatics in this video was loss of aromatics to the lyophilization process. There are a ton of volitile compounds that I’m sure would be lost at the high pressures involved in Lyo. I would love to see a weird coffee science video where you find a lyo and play with different pressure/temperatures & gradents to make some instant coffee!
New subscriber here! I’m enjoying the technical analysis and explanations a lot: I like coffee but I don’t have space in my small kitchen for all the fancy paraphernalia, so it’s nice to see information on Mokka pots too, and on these fancy instants. One thing I’d love to see you talk about is how to reconcile ethics with flavour. I like Illy but we buy a (hopefully) more ethical, less overpackaged coffee from the Kollektiv Zapatista. But is this actually a good solution? Fairtrade turns out to have many flaws, does this small supplier have one too? And what are the processors of the best coffees doing to ensure that their luxury product doesn’t come at the expense of labour or environmental exploitation? It seems crass if I focus on the technical aspects of the drink and forget the challenging circumstances in which products like this make it from their poorer, global south countries of production to the eager palates of western hipsters... you clearly travel extensively for your work and I’d be interested to see you explore this dimension too. Keep up the good work.
Using cool/room temp water with these instant coffees (I've had a wide assortment of Swift coffees and some Sudden coffee using Ruby Coffee Roasters' coffee) has seemed to really work well for me, such that half the time I just reach for cold water and a spoon (and stir, and stir, and stir) rather than heating some water. Hot brewed coffee that's cooled to room temp tends to be less aromatic anyway, and as a result, I would say that the instant coffees are therefore comparable if not better than what I'm able to consistently produce using my hand grinder and Aeropress/pour-over, especially if my bag of coffee beans is more than three weeks old. I also am a fan of cool/cold/room temp coffee.
LOL if there was a coffee joke of the decade award you definitely won hands down if you actually believe that instant coffee not only comes close but beats out hand grounded beans brewed in an aero press and pour over. good one LMAO
@@59fiftycap Wow did it take you two years to come up with that masterful takedown despite not even reading what I said or trying any of the recommended specialty instant coffees? Obviously great beans freshly roasted and ground that are then brewed perfectly will be better, but great instant coffee is frequently better than a pour-over even at good coffee shops because consistency and optimal extraction is so difficult in a cafe environment.
Dr. Hoffmann looks like Macaulay Culkin if he went to Oxford and did a Phd in quantum vibrations in microtubules inside coffeebeans. I enjoy this channel so much, thanks Professor.
Well what I think is for $4 I can get a great cup at my local and camping I actually prefer cowboy coffee as part of the larger experience... ultimately I am not a daily coffee drinker so I am not likely to get too into this BUT I occasionally have employees working out in the sticks around the clock who want decent coffee where it is difficult to produce because of that I appreciate the info.
Tbh i wanted to see some very commonly found lower priced instant coffee rated here. Not some garbage like Folgers, but maybe some Bustelo or even Valdez
Just looked up SWift Cup and will probably buy some to have on hand. I general make immersion brew aka French press and broke out the Rok Espresso and have been making some fairly nice shots after a lot of foul failed efforts. But as James says, sometimes you are at a relatives house or getting an airplane or train and it’s good to have a reliable fall back option.
Really like my Swift cup. Keep a couple punches in my backpack for if I’m working in the office. Not fond of Mainstay blend but the SouthAmerican sachets and the ones from Ethiopia. Peru Cusco and Ethiopia Guji are quite good. They are located less than 50 miles from where I live. Made me laugh that I learned of them from a TH-cam made in the UK.
James is the Master. Is anyone else a little shocked that Sudden went with plastic. Went on their website and they call it recyclable, but at what energy cost?
Great series of videos James. Very entertaining and I learn a little something along the way. I own a Moccamaster along with a Baratza grinder and am always searching for ways to make a better cup of coffee.
I’ll go for a Nescafé Taster’s Choice Dark Roast and call it a day. These prices and disposable sachets are a bit too much, both in terms of price and garbage. The Nescafé comes in a recyclable glass jar.
I wouldn’t buy your average grocery store instant coffee I think they taste absolutely horrible but I tried verve instant coffee and voila which I tried because of James Hoffman and those tasted great for instant coffee.
I like the idea of 'proper' instant coffee but convenience obviously comes at a price. As a keen amateur coffee consumer, I have a ROK espresso maker and mixed feelings about it. Any chance you could review it (assuming you haven't already done so) and suggest any tips for greater consistency. Thanks very much.
2 reasons - 1) As a startup, we're trying to figure out how someone's experience with us changes over time. We make changes monthly and it helps to have a set of customers who have seen the evolution. 2)The margins are razor thin - making instant coffee is more expensive than making regular coffee of the same quality. That makes retail difficult. Subscriptions have allowed us to offer the coffee for a lot cheaper than we would otherwise. - Josh (Sudden Cofounder/CEO)
I do wonder, which of instant coffee and pod coffee are better for the environment from a pure mass product processing and consumer waste perspective??
Only one I'd even consider is the middle one with the paper packaging (although I'm not sure if that's still lined with plastic). The other two are unnecessarily putting yet more plastic out there. I know this video is a year old but SURELY companies should be looking into other options beside plastic tubes and very plasticy looking little packets in this day and age.
I'd be curious about a comparison with the Starbucks product. Not that Starbucks would be any better, but it's a reference that could easily be found in cities in the US. Is it worth paying the premium for these small manufacturers? If their products are much better than Starbucks Via, then maybe so.
Anyone know of any specialty instant available in the UK? It'd be super useful to have a few packets on hand for travel when I don't want to lug a hand grinder about.
Still no specialty instant in the UK as far as I can tell... but only minutes ago I ordered some from The Barn in Germany (€5 shipping) so will see how that goes.
Instant coffee never really tasted like coffee to me once I had good coffee, which wasn't until I was in my mid 20's (which was longer ago than maybe I should admit). At any rate, one weekend a few years ago we stayed with an old college friend... one who doesn't drink coffee. But she keeps some around for guests, with a maker, etc. And one of the things she had was Starbucks' Via Instant Columbia Supremo. Now so far in my life I will admit a medium roast Columbia Supremo seems to be about my favorite daily coffee. And I decided to try this mainly to be a good guest and make less of a mess ... but partially because I was at least as skeptical about her ground coffee. I was ... pleasantly surprised. And I'm not particularly a Starbucks fan ... the only time I ever go there is when travelling, and when I do, I get just a plain, black, whatever medium roast (I hate dark roast) Central American coffee they have in their serving vessels. And I go there because they're ubiquitous and very consistent. I know what I'm going to get. I decided right there and then ... when I go camping, this is what I'll take. Before, I would bring a vacuum pot and then eventually I used a stainless steel french press ... but honestly the thing I like doing least at a campsite is cleaning pots and pans and dishes and coffee makers .... after all, I'm there to enjoy the great outdoors, and especially in bear country one really has to be careful about food waste ... the deal is -- it is good enough that it's not worth the trouble of even having to clean a french press. In fact, if you had told me it wasn't instant, that it was a brewed cup of coffee, I would have believed you. That said, if there are others to try out there, I'd love to. I think the Starbucks' Via Instant is a combination of instant and micrground coffee -- I think this is how they accomplish a decent flavor profile. For those of you who are looking for something to try. Comes in at about $2 a mug as I will often put two packs especially in a large mug. Though I have tried a single pack in a regular size (10 oz) mug and it's still pretty good. I see a comment below that none of these businesses seem to be in business anymore. That's too bad. I'd love to try others.
I'd love a sequel to this video! It seems all of these businesses are no more
I think Swift are still going in the US... none of them ship to the UK as far as I'm aware, though.
I think Joe Coffee that also does limited specialty instant coffee does ship international (as long as you're serviced by UPS). Steeped Coffee (single serve coffee in teabags) also ships internationally
I just ordered some from The Barn in Germany... I guess I'll see how that goes!
You know what's really missing from the comparison? Coffee instant type II.
Bold, robust and not too bitter, *NICE*
And put it on a tray
"Not gonna add sugar or creamer."
*adds water*
*fancied spoon tings while mixing*
*sips*
"Bold, tasty, slightly acidic... Lovely coffee. Without the sugar, you can really taste the quality."
*sips again*
"It has this fruity taste, relatively dark, but not as much as Type III. It really is a great coffee to start your day, even better with this fully hydrated Blueberries with Milk."
Nice
Preferably 50 years old
Could you do a video with commercially mainstream coffee?
Curious, I bought some Starbucks instant and while not premium, it did cost more. They did manage to capture that awful burnt taste every cup of Starbucks I've ever bought brewed had.
I remember when Starbucks introduced their Via Instant Coffee. They were giving out free samples around the city. It was worse than Folgers, and I have no love for Folgers. It also had trouble dissolving. It also claimed that it dissolved easily in cold water. Spoiler: It didn't.
At least they’re consistent?
Starbucks is about marketing, not about quality :)
Try the blonde. it will not have near the burnt flavor. Blonde also tends to be the more caffeinated and more complex flavored.
@@eatfresh4evr Their Via instant was very odd. It wasn't freeze dried. They instead found a way to micro-grind their coffee into a powder so pulverized it would dissolve in water. Tasted awful, but I have no idea if it was the process or just their usual awful coffee.
im sat here watching and thoroughly enjoying these videos like ‘hmm yes i totally agree’ as if i don’t just drink cheap instant coffee every morning..
I'm a Home Roaster. A lot of what I roast costs me $25 for 5lbs shipped. After roasting, that's about 4.4lbs or 2000 grams for easy math. I brew 60 grams per liter and drink 750ml each morning. So basically I buy 2000 grams of roasted coffee for $25. That's $0.0125 per gram meaning each morning I drink $0.56 worth of my own fresh coffee. If I'm running behind and don't have the time to grind and drip through the Moccamaster, I can swing by the drive thru at my local coffee shop and get a small coffee for $1 before 8am in about 30 seconds. It's a good blend and much better than Starbucks or anywhere else. If I'm feeling froggy, I can get a 20oz Americano with an extra shot of espresso for around $4.
That said, $3.20 each for Voila is not all that bad. If I'm going to go backpacking my choices are to pack at a minimum a hand grinder, an aeropress, and fresh beans. Not only do these items take up space, but they take up weight too and depending on where you're going, weight is a premium. An Aeropress is 8oz. A grinder is 8oz to 1.2lbs. Bean weight needs no explanation. So you can pack an extra 2-2.5lbs plus the volume those items take up, or you could pack that tiny box of tiny packets. There's value in that, and $3.20 for the convenience of pouring hot water into an instant coffee that tastes good when you're feeling tired, beat up and busy doing other things around camp is a small price to pay over lugging all that stuff around on top of all your other gear.
$3.20 instant coffee shouldn't be your daily plan anyway, but there's a time and place for a product like that, that makes it feel premium.
Cut down on coffee, mate
I have never drunk coffee in my life and that comment felt like an whole other world.
Where do you buy your coffee from?
Where do you buy your coffee from?
This! You have hit the nail on the head. You pay for convenience, and you pay for ease. Couldn't have worded it better than that second paragraph. (However, I would possibly agree that 750ml/ 26oz+ of coffee in a morning is a *strong* personal choice..!)
Shocked this was 2 years ago already, feels like I only just discovered you!
Any chance of a part two to this video James? Curious to see if things have changed/developed since 2018.
And now this comment is 2 years old! Holy moly.
Yes please James do a new version of this video with some more products of a similar type.
@@Ch3mG33k Oh no.
I can't tell if James is 25 or 45.
I just assume it's right in the middle with 35.
69, Dude!
How old are you 25 or 45? James, "Yes."
Google says 39. As you know, it can't be put on the Internet if it's not true.
@W Clark 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm really shocked that Sudden uses that amount of plastic for what seems to be a single-use product
Yeah, I noticed that. Bit off in this day and age.
@@BlueHen123 Yeah and anyway, that so-called biodegradable/compostable stuff takes years to degrade and gets put in landfill most of the time.
My exact thought. Very dated packaging, especially considering the paper sashes do a better job in keeping the coffee dry.
I agree that it's a lot of plastic. Maybe recyclable. But I'm also going to take a guess that the packets are not just paper, but multiple layered materials (foil, plastic) so then they wouldn't be recyclable so you shouldn't be putting them in the compost or the paper recycling, but less waste in the first place is better. My interest would be in camping/travel (otherwise I wouldn't bother with individual portions at all, so the positive nature of this video is great.
BlueHen123 hey it may be actual plastic
Sudden is by far the most versatile if are traveling light! It's the only one you can put where the sun don't shine
For those all too often occasions where coffee has been criminalised and you just cant go without a brew
Better hope it doesn't break, you'll be brewing instant coffee inside the bottom of your colon.
So far the greatest freeze-dried instant coffee I have tried is Mount Hagen Organic, better than Starbucks VIA Colombia in my opinion. Definitely gonna try these three new brands in the near future.
Same. I love brewing coffee, but if I'm in a rush I don't regret having a cup of Mount Haven.
I love this one instant coffee from Nescafe. Yes, I know. But its a guilty pleasure of mine and its super cheap.
My coffee game has gotten better but I still love me a cup of Nescafe. It what I grew up with and if I'm in a rush for even if I'm not. I'll make a cup here and there
@@Chris_Kwon_Do Nescafé tastes good in milk with sugar, no water. My mom used to make it for me so it’s nostalgic.
Immaculate voice if i say so myself
Adrian Gomez sibilance aside?
and saliva. Sorry, but it's one thing that gags me listening to.
@@jgbelmont *_someone's_*_ projecting_
@@jgbelmont He means that you hear Hoffman's voice, and something in it reminds you of your own beta characteristics so you shield yourself from dealing with your weakness by putting down what you perceive as a weakness in Hoffman.
@@jgbelmont no bad american,accent. Good voice....
Have you ever tried dissolving the instant coffee with a little room temp water first? then pouring hot water? I've read on the internet that it makes instant coffee smoother. I've tried it too, i think it does make the coffee smoother..
It would be great to see some UK companies/roasters getting into this market. As these (as is so often the case) are US based, the cost per coffee when you add in the weak Pound, shipping (and then possible import duties and Post Office charges) mean this is currently way too pricey at present (potentially over £3 a cup at minimum).
Certainly be keen to try; having never liked the flavour of any instant coffees, I have to rely on my trusty aeropress and hand grinder whenever I'm on the road or travelling - specialty instant would be perfect when that, or a good coffee shop, isn't an option.
My thought exactly. I can't seem to find specialty instant from a UK website or supplier... and there are times when it'd be a useful option.
$4 for a cup of instant coffee is insane. $1-1.50 is a much more approachable price.
True, though given it's early days, one can assume economy of scale hasn't really kicked-in yet. If these are good enough to actually sell, once it does, the price should drop significantly.
"Approachable" is Folgers which would totally account for a $1.50 price. But considering these are meant to be higher end? $4 is pretty much what's expected from one cup of coffee.
@@drudle 4 bucks for a cup of coffee is absurd.
@@drudle that's even more than a cup of civet coffee if you were to make it yourself.
@@ANF_94 Four dollars for a cup of coffee is absurd? Oh wow, where do you live?
This was strangely enjoyable to watch / listen to. First time I'm watching an instant coffee related video. :)
Interestingly, all three of the websites for buying these coffees are now effectively dead (voila works, but has nothing for sale).
Does this tell us something about the desire for "artisan" instant coffee?
-Dx
If there is great instant coffee out there I'd love to see it recommended
I had an instant coffee once which had a very small amount of fine ground coffee. Most off the taste came from the dehydrated coffee, finer notes from the coffee grounds. So they sleep while you drink and you won't notice them. It's a clever hack if you will
I just tasted Voila. There decaf is exquisite. I buy it for the few times, now and then, that I am in a rush, quick out the door to work, but grab a pack of Voila and know that I am going to have a fantastic cup of decaf once at work. The convenience with no compromise on the quality is worth the price for those occasions.
In Sweden coffee in teabags have finally been introduced, and while not cheap either, it's cheaper than these ones and almost as convenient. It's waayy tastier than the cheap instant nescafé gold etc
Have you heard of Press’d Coffee? They put out a thick concentrate in pods. Pretty good, actually (for an “instant”).
All 3 websites seem to be down now
Very interesting and timely video for me. I've tried Sudden just out of curiosity, and then saw that a local roaster of mine had some of their coffee turned into instant by Swift Cup, so I grabbed some in my recent order from the roaster and haven't had a chance to try it yet. This roaster is definitely a local place with no national attention, so it was interesting to me that they were offering their own coffee as instant.
Coffee Supreme in New Zealand started making instant coffee recently. Would love to hear your thoughts.
@James Hoffman: The last line you said stays with me; "The future of coffee might be instant, and may not be coffee pods". With the technological advancements in freeze drying, I feel that is indeed a possibility. Do you foresee instant coffee being able to match up with a freshly brewed cup of coffee sometime in the future?
I think this would bea good topic to revisit these days
That awkward moment when you are coffee lover, but James Hoffman brings instant coffee to your place
Even after watching this video and the Supermarket Instant Coffee one, I can honestly say, I 've never met an instant coffee I liked, let alone loved....I love the history of instant coffee and how Gertrude Berg's husband played a big role in it.....But regardless, I have higher hopes for hot chocolate in envelopes....
I go backpacking every fall. Normally I rock Starbucks Via. But the past couple years I’ve seen some different quality instant options at REI. Cool to see that it’s catching on. Not an everyday thing for me but it’s easier and lighter then any backpacking coffee option I’ve seen
As a backpacker, finding a decent instant coffee is critical for on the trail. I've settled for Alpine Start as I haven't found anything better.
Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso. Strong and rich but smooth. My local Walmart was carrying it last year at less than $3.00/2 oz jar.
3:35 tasting notes: jasmine, duck, chocolate and honey ??? duck!?.... OHHHH "DARK CHOCOLATE!" 🤷♂️🤣 lol
hahaha You'v just my day!
Well if I heard "duck chocolate" I would be freaking out too.
Great thoughts on the potential of instant coffee. It could be interesting to investigate the effect on taste of the freeze-drying process - such as through a comparison of the same bean/blend brewed conventionally, instant and capsule.
If this is true, could it be because the Nescafe products are researched and designed to appeal to the masses, and not specifically to those who are looking for a specialty coffee?
Sooo Starbucks Via is out completely? Seems to be the best I've had here in the states (tho I really hate saying that about Starbucks). Of course I'm a complete novice so YMMV.
I agree. I bought it for camping and liked out so much I got some for work. And when you options are between Via and Taster's Choice, the choice is pretty clear.
Two of the three instant coffees in the video are out of business (I just checked). Only Voila is still in business but they have a different coffee that they sell every month, so if you fall in love with one of them and you can't get it ever again.
I'll tell you a secret, if you don't have the time or you are traveling then get Bustelo instant coffee, its in slim soft plastic tubes that you can carry on, just tear and pout and your coffee is ready. It available in all the major supermarkets, if its not on the shelf then insists that they order it for you, all the distributes can get it easily.
Its good coffee, Bustelo instant is not processed like the other instant coffees on the market, there are no chemicals and no weird machinery involved, Bustelo simply freeze dries top quality Columbian beans (I love Columbian coffee beans) then grinds them and packages them immediately so that they can maintain as much flavor as possible (far more than the ridiculously expensive hipster instant coffees, all of which make weak coffee with no aroma).
The Bustelo instant coffee tubes are fantastic for travel, we take them everywhere and since my family have been coffee aficionados and drinking Bustelo for over 75 years (Bustelo was founded in 1929 and the only make gourmet coffee at supermarket coffee prices, its the best value in the coffee world) because we like it so much. Yes, we regularly taste everyone else's hipster coffee of the month, they are cute and interesting but none of them makes for a good everyday coffee for us.
In fact the Bustelo instant coffee is also available in jars (we get the 7 oz jar, its a fantastic deal) as well so when we are in a rush at hime we just grab the jar and have instant coffee that tastes so good that people think tat i served them gourmet coffee.
If you like to alternate your gourmet instant coffee, then Bustelo has that as well, try their Supreme freeze dried instant coffee, its so yummy.
We are not related to Bustelo in any way, we simply love great products that are very reasonably priced so us normal people can afford them and that is where Bustelo really succeeds.
www.cafebustelo.com
Does anyone have any recommendations in 2022 in the UK... 2/3 of these are out of business now...
This needs an update!
Only coffee I like and drink daily is Nescafe lyx. I can't drink other coffees anymore for some reason my stomach gets a bit upset when I try other types than Nescafe.
Should check out some of the main brands in the UK as instant is already the most popular option
Love for james to try the poundland coffee/milk powder and 2 sugars sachet. 6 for £1
Did you try the one cup type brew coffee? They come in individual carton origami-type drip container and are really, REALLY good at brewing a drip coffee on the go. This is my thrid trip in Japan and Im always impatient to try a different brand! They have great selection, from starbucks, to Mon cafe, etc. Highly recommend!
you're the man for this kind of review.. thanks James! 👍
I'm in love with all this nerdy coffee stuff!!!!!
Seems to me you should know and say if the coffee is freeze dried or SPRAY dried big difference in heat stress and energy used in the processing.
I love instant coffee since I live alone. My favorite is the store brand Noblesse Exquisito Oro from Migros in Switzerland. I fill my free luggage space with 200g bags like a drug mule.
VOILA has closed down unfortunately. Also, Swift helps produce the instant coffee for dozens of other gourmet roasters as well as selling their own.
I like how at 5:04 the cups magically refill...
What about Starbucks Via Instant coffee? It is a combo of traditional instant coffee (from their own roasts), and a micro-grind of those same roasts. I am not a fan of instant coffee, but for a single serving of something when I am travelling somewhere I can't rely on a good cuppa, they are perfect. We also keep some in our 72 hr kits, b/c, you know, in an emergency, there's no reason to also torture yourself with a crappy cup of coffee!
"I don't always snort my coffee, but when I do, I prefer Via."
Only a few weeks left for your GCSEs am I wrong?
Very soothing voice ☺️
Voila seems interesting because two of the roasts they offer are from Roasters fairly local to Portland, Oregon.
Tandom Coffee Roasters in Portland Maine has 2 instant coffee offerings. They are pretty decent and are only $2.50 usd per packet. ($15 per box) One is blend and the other is Ethiopian.
A few things I’m interested in with this is:
1 mineral content of the water you use seems like an interesting thing to discuss. In your previous video you mentioned mineral content having a significant effect on extraction. In this scenario, I wonder if these coffees would taste better brewed with DI. Or are they possibly brewed with DI to begin with?
2. One of the things you glazed over a tad when you mentioned loss of aromatics in this video was loss of aromatics to the lyophilization process. There are a ton of volitile compounds that I’m sure would be lost at the high pressures involved in Lyo. I would love to see a weird coffee science video where you find a lyo and play with different pressure/temperatures & gradents to make some instant coffee!
James I would like to see your take on "Decaf Coffee"
Especially naturally or Swiss-water processed decaf 😊
Just brands that arent bland
New subscriber here! I’m enjoying the technical analysis and explanations a lot: I like coffee but I don’t have space in my small kitchen for all the fancy paraphernalia, so it’s nice to see information on Mokka pots too, and on these fancy instants. One thing I’d love to see you talk about is how to reconcile ethics with flavour. I like Illy but we buy a (hopefully) more ethical, less overpackaged coffee from the Kollektiv Zapatista. But is this actually a good solution? Fairtrade turns out to have many flaws, does this small supplier have one too? And what are the processors of the best coffees doing to ensure that their luxury product doesn’t come at the expense of labour or environmental exploitation? It seems crass if I focus on the technical aspects of the drink and forget the challenging circumstances in which products like this make it from their poorer, global south countries of production to the eager palates of western hipsters... you clearly travel extensively for your work and I’d be interested to see you explore this dimension too. Keep up the good work.
Using cool/room temp water with these instant coffees (I've had a wide assortment of Swift coffees and some Sudden coffee using Ruby Coffee Roasters' coffee) has seemed to really work well for me, such that half the time I just reach for cold water and a spoon (and stir, and stir, and stir) rather than heating some water. Hot brewed coffee that's cooled to room temp tends to be less aromatic anyway, and as a result, I would say that the instant coffees are therefore comparable if not better than what I'm able to consistently produce using my hand grinder and Aeropress/pour-over, especially if my bag of coffee beans is more than three weeks old. I also am a fan of cool/cold/room temp coffee.
LOL if there was a coffee joke of the decade award you definitely won hands down if you actually believe that instant coffee not only comes close but beats out hand grounded beans brewed in an aero press and pour over. good one LMAO
@@59fiftycap Wow did it take you two years to come up with that masterful takedown despite not even reading what I said or trying any of the recommended specialty instant coffees? Obviously great beans freshly roasted and ground that are then brewed perfectly will be better, but great instant coffee is frequently better than a pour-over even at good coffee shops because consistency and optimal extraction is so difficult in a cafe environment.
Those are prices before shipping, import duties etc I imagine. (They all seem to be US companies with no UK footprint.)
PLEASE Do a blind test between instants and fancy coffees, and cheap brews and see if you can guess which is which
How does it compare to Starbucks VIA? I ask mainly since that is my go to for hiking and backpacking.
A more fair comparison would be the same type of coffee from each maker like a dark roast Colombian for example
I get my instant from the dollar store. About 20 cups for a buck. It's sweet with a nice mouth-feel and mighty buzz.
What about Starbucks VIA?
very late to comments, but I thought with instant coffee you always premixed with a bit of cold water before adding the hot water for a better taste.
Ohhh never heard of this hack
Or cold milk works too just a little bit
Dr. Hoffmann looks like Macaulay Culkin if he went to Oxford and did a Phd in quantum vibrations in microtubules inside coffeebeans. I enjoy this channel so much, thanks Professor.
whats so special about them aside from packaging/price?
Well what I think is for $4 I can get a great cup at my local and camping I actually prefer cowboy coffee as part of the larger experience... ultimately I am not a daily coffee drinker so I am not likely to get too into this BUT I occasionally have employees working out in the sticks around the clock who want decent coffee where it is difficult to produce because of that I appreciate the info.
Tbh i wanted to see some very commonly found lower priced instant coffee rated here. Not some garbage like Folgers, but maybe some Bustelo or even Valdez
I can't look at the "sudden" capsule without thinking of a suppository...
watching this while having nescafe instant coffee :D :D
Study Channel .... lightened with CoffeeMate.
Just looked up SWift Cup and will probably buy some to have on hand. I general make immersion brew aka French press and broke out the Rok Espresso and have been making some fairly nice shots after a lot of foul failed efforts. But as James says, sometimes you are at a relatives house or getting an airplane or train and it’s good to have a reliable fall back option.
Really like my Swift cup. Keep a couple punches in my backpack for if I’m working in the office. Not fond of Mainstay blend but the SouthAmerican sachets and the ones from Ethiopia. Peru Cusco and Ethiopia Guji are quite good. They are located less than 50 miles from where I live. Made me laugh that I learned of them from a TH-cam made in the UK.
I really enjoyed this, I am doing an instant review soon... love the detail you go into
James is the Master. Is anyone else a little shocked that Sudden went with plastic. Went on their website and they call it recyclable, but at what energy cost?
Belleville Brûlerie in France (Paris) has now launched this type of coffe. Confirming what you are saying about the new coffee scene blooming...
A roaster in my region sells instant that is made by sudden using the roasters beans
Great series of videos James. Very entertaining and I learn a little something along the way. I own a Moccamaster along with a Baratza grinder and am always searching for ways to make a better cup of coffee.
I’ll go for a Nescafé Taster’s Choice Dark Roast and call it a day. These prices and disposable sachets are a bit too much, both in terms of price and garbage. The Nescafé comes in a recyclable glass jar.
I wouldn’t buy your average grocery store instant coffee I think they taste absolutely horrible but I tried verve instant coffee and voila which I tried because of James Hoffman and those tasted great for instant coffee.
outrageous packaging!
What temperature do you prefer to drink coffee?
I'd love to hear your opinion on jiva cubes if you've tried those?
I like the idea of 'proper' instant coffee but convenience obviously comes at a price. As a keen amateur coffee consumer, I have a ROK espresso maker and mixed feelings about it. Any chance you could review it (assuming you haven't already done so) and suggest any tips for greater consistency. Thanks very much.
Do you have any insight as to why the subscription model is so pushed for this type of product?
2 reasons -
1) As a startup, we're trying to figure out how someone's experience with us changes over time. We make changes monthly and it helps to have a set of customers who have seen the evolution.
2)The margins are razor thin - making instant coffee is more expensive than making regular coffee of the same quality. That makes retail difficult. Subscriptions have allowed us to offer the coffee for a lot cheaper than we would otherwise.
- Josh (Sudden Cofounder/CEO)
@@JoshuaZloof but can you make Coffee, Instant type 2?
Is there an update on new specialty instant coffees?? I know that it is more common nowadays, going camping soon.
I see that Deathwish Coffee has an instant available now, havent tried it yet
Any new and better instant coffee in 2020? Tell us, show us. Anxious to hear.
I do wonder, which of instant coffee and pod coffee are better for the environment from a pure mass product processing and consumer waste perspective??
Only one I'd even consider is the middle one with the paper packaging (although I'm not sure if that's still lined with plastic). The other two are unnecessarily putting yet more plastic out there. I know this video is a year old but SURELY companies should be looking into other options beside plastic tubes and very plasticy looking little packets in this day and age.
I'd be curious about a comparison with the Starbucks product. Not that Starbucks would be any better, but it's a reference that could easily be found in cities in the US. Is it worth paying the premium for these small manufacturers? If their products are much better than Starbucks Via, then maybe so.
Anyone know of any specialty instant available in the UK? It'd be super useful to have a few packets on hand for travel when I don't want to lug a hand grinder about.
Still no specialty instant in the UK as far as I can tell... but only minutes ago I ordered some from The Barn in Germany (€5 shipping) so will see how that goes.
The best instant coffee I have drink is from the military combat rations.
The best coffee I've ever eaten is Instant Type II. Generally consumed straight out the pack.
Nice!
- steve
Black Rifle Coffee Company. Black Powder Sticks.
You’re welcome.
I don't even like to drink coffee every day. But your videos are super interesting!
I remember Sanka was a big hit in our household when I was a kid
Isn't dry coffee over-extracted? I might have heard James talking about it being under-extracted
On the subject of instant , how do you rate Starbucks Via instant ?
Nescafe gold is the best instant coffee , is it true ?
Instant coffee never really tasted like coffee to me once I had good coffee, which wasn't until I was in my mid 20's (which was longer ago than maybe I should admit). At any rate, one weekend a few years ago we stayed with an old college friend... one who doesn't drink coffee. But she keeps some around for guests, with a maker, etc. And one of the things she had was Starbucks' Via Instant Columbia Supremo.
Now so far in my life I will admit a medium roast Columbia Supremo seems to be about my favorite daily coffee. And I decided to try this mainly to be a good guest and make less of a mess ... but partially because I was at least as skeptical about her ground coffee.
I was ... pleasantly surprised. And I'm not particularly a Starbucks fan ... the only time I ever go there is when travelling, and when I do, I get just a plain, black, whatever medium roast (I hate dark roast) Central American coffee they have in their serving vessels. And I go there because they're ubiquitous and very consistent. I know what I'm going to get.
I decided right there and then ... when I go camping, this is what I'll take. Before, I would bring a vacuum pot and then eventually I used a stainless steel french press ... but honestly the thing I like doing least at a campsite is cleaning pots and pans and dishes and coffee makers .... after all, I'm there to enjoy the great outdoors, and especially in bear country one really has to be careful about food waste ... the deal is -- it is good enough that it's not worth the trouble of even having to clean a french press. In fact, if you had told me it wasn't instant, that it was a brewed cup of coffee, I would have believed you.
That said, if there are others to try out there, I'd love to. I think the Starbucks' Via Instant is a combination of instant and micrground coffee -- I think this is how they accomplish a decent flavor profile. For those of you who are looking for something to try. Comes in at about $2 a mug as I will often put two packs especially in a large mug. Though I have tried a single pack in a regular size (10 oz) mug and it's still pretty good.
I see a comment below that none of these businesses seem to be in business anymore. That's too bad. I'd love to try others.
Sudden fails on the packaging. WTF did they think!?
Tubes for the oceans....
Yeah terrible choice, noticed it right away
That you can take it with you in damp situations, like a hike in rainy weather?
Try Mellow Bird's instant coffee. After a couple of cups of that all other instant coffees will be fantastic.
Are those Sudden Coffee capsules recyclable?