Starbucks was handing out free packets of its new instant coffee, dubbed Via. I’m a caffeine addict and coffee snob, eager to try any new variation of the sacred bean.

The packet is tiny, not really feeling like a dollar’s worth of coffee. Dumping it into my favorite ceramic mug, it looked like finely ground coffee. Not Folgers-crystally at all. It had a very nice coffee aroma and dissolved instantly (!) after adding hot water from the office water station.

I did add more than the recommended 8 ounces. It was bulletproof with that little water. A full mug of water produced a delightfully nice cup of Joe. I’d say it was much better than a lot of the office coffee pots, but not nearly the fresh Americano that normally results from my coffee runs. For a quick coffee fix, I’d say not bad but a little spendy. While backpacking, this would be heaven.