Does Starbucks instant coffee taste good?

I walked into a Starbucks last evening and there were signs posted everywhere about their new instant coffee, Via. I told them at the counter I was very skeptical of the claim by their CEO that most people would not be able to taste the difference between Via and their in-store, brewed coffee. They enthusiastically gave me a packet to take home and try.

This morning I carefully measured the 8 oz. of water they specified and heated it in the microwave and then added the coffee grounds. Unfortunately, I only got about 5 sips before a coffee-drinking moth dove into my cup to absorb the full effect. Quite a sacrifice! I'm addicted to coffee but not to the point of giving my life for it. Well . . . I don't think so.

Anyway, those 5 sips were enough to tell me what I suspected. Starbucks instant coffee is not as good as their brewed coffee. But it is very, very good, far better than brewed coffee I've found anywhere other than Starbucks. It's good enough that my mind is racing with the possibilities, like keeping a few packets in my work bag for emergency situations, such as counseling CEU classes, where the coffee is almost always bad.

So congratulations, Starbucks. You did good.