yakster wrote:Hmm, I normally ignore the threads about Starbucks, like I normally avoid the stores, but unless I bring in my own coffee, I can't ignore them at work because that's the coffee we have here for our airpots.

I will say that I found the key to getting drinkable coffee out of those pre-ground packets was to use the proper amount of coffee... we get 70 gram packets for 2.2 liter airpots and that's not enough coffee, so I started making pots with an extra half-bag and the coffee stopped tasting thin and bitter and started resembling coffee. I did the calcs and even measured the Brix, it was a good learning experience. The airpot I had labeled full-strength was put away now and today for the first time I made a single serve AeroPress with the office coffee... at least it's freshly brewed and the right strength, but it's still Starbucks.

Starbucks isn't alone in this dosing issue, many of the coffee packets seem mismatched for the brew size... that appears to be the trend these days, using too little coffee with a fine grind and a dark roast to compensate.

I never took the challenge and tried their Via instant, but did hear that it's an 8 oz serving so may suffer from the same problems of improper dose for the volume of coffee that most people will drink.

I do find that those packets of Starbucks French Roast make an excellent Vietnamese Iced Coffee using one of those stainless steel coffee filters I picked up at a 99 Ranch Market, the strong, bitter brew stands up to the condensed milk.

I really should bring in my own coffee.