Instant Coffee

[Leche]

I'm watching a Modern Marvels episode that happens to be about coffee production. Two interesting things said were...

1. The only commidity that out trades coffee is oil.
2. 40% of coffee use is instant coffee.

Now I personnaly don't know anyone that uses instant. I have had it a few times because that was the only available means and I didn't care for it. It worked though. Is instant coffee really that popular?

 

[SiBurning]

The only commodity that outtrades oil is BS. 40% of all BS is statistics.

 

[MichaelG]

Was that statistic for the US or worldwide? I think a lot of people use it worldwide - especially in Europe.

Starbucks VIA instant coffee isn't bad, actually. I keep some around for traveling, etc.

I'm watching a Modern Marvels episode that happens to be about coffee production. Two interesting things said were...

1. The only commidity that out trades coffee is oil.
2. 40% of coffee use is instant coffee.

Now I personnaly don't know anyone that uses instant. I have had it a few times because that was the only available means and I didn't care for it. It worked though. Is instant coffee really that popular?

 

[Thebigspendur]

The U.S has a history as a coffee drinkers hell.

Most people here nowadays are interested in convenience and that's why instant is very popular. Most get used to instant and thing it's great. That's why when many go into a restaurant and have coffee which is actually brewed even though the brewing is terrible and the coffee is garbage it's still so superior to instant these folks rave over it.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

Maybe they should make cars that run on coffee....

 

[tux_shaver]

The only good use I found for instant coffee is to develop black and white film.

 

[christopherh]

Yes - in Europe instant coffee is huge. Interesting, huh?

I tried the Starbucks VIA... not bad for instant. Pretty pricey though.

 

[holiday]

In the Uk instant coffee is very very popular at home for people, I reckon 90% of folks drink it at home and at work. I think people just get used to it. I never used to drink it at all, but when I started my current job every one else was drinking it so I did too. Now I don't mind it too much. That said it doesn't compare to real coffee. We get real coffee at work after breakfast's and I use a press at home.
Some times people make disgusting instant coffee, must be too weak.

 

[andrew98]

In the Uk instant coffee is very very popular at home for people, I reckon 90% of folks drink it at home and at work. I think people just get used to it.

I've even been served instant at a diner here. I just now acquired a grinder and french press, but I've been using instant at home for the past 5 months until now. Some brands are better than others.

My Tesco (grocery), which is a large one, sells one bag of whole beans, 6 choices of ground coffee, and a ridiculously monstrous selection of instant coffee. It's popular to say the least, but I live within a 5 minute walk of 6 cafes, too. Maybe people just buy decent coffee by the cup every morning. I'm relatively new here, so I don't know.

Also, my first exposure to instant was from a Brazilian office mate who told me instant was all anyone drinks in Brazil. It's cheap, easy, and you don't have to buy a coffee maker or lots of equipment. He used to use something like 3 tablespoons of coffee and about as much sugar per mug.

-Andy

 

[StillShaving]

Yeah I believe these are worldwide statistics. That in many poor countries you will find mostly instant coffee. Also I believe that as a percentage baby boomers drink more instant than the younger gen, especially those who are only interested in a single cup in the morning. IMO iff you drink with coffee with a healthy dose of sugar and creme, a decent instant coffee can match the typical Mr. Coffee brew. But we know much better brewed coffee is possible.

 

[LaughingAtFate]

in Australia, it's mostly Instant coffee also Admittedly the market share of coffeebeans is somewhat growing, but yeah, 2-1 brands on the shelf is Instant vs Ground and whole beans
the ratios are changing however, used to be a lot less choice in Coffee in the supermarkets, most of it was instant, with maybe one or two brands of coffeebeans, choice of ground or ground... at least in the supermarkets I'd been to when younger.

 

[Leche]

Was that statistic for the US or worldwide? I think a lot of people use it worldwide - especially in Europe.

Starbucks VIA instant coffee isn't bad, actually. I keep some around for traveling, etc.

Worldwide.