Instant Cafe Bustelo
When I show up for work, I tend to be gripping a ubiquitous Starbucks container, in the summer months, roughly March through November, it’s a couple of shots of Starbucks espresso over a full cup of ice.
Ice melts and it becomes a bitter, cold brew, strong and stout. There are variations on this theme, but this gradually became my South Texas go-to drink. An added attraction? It’s one of the cheapest, most pure drinks from the multi-national company.
Coffee. Ice. Nothing else.
Have to be careful in certain months, the AC blows so cold, I’m shivering with iced espresso, wanting a warmer beverage.
Staying in large number of vacation rentals, especially along the Gulf Coast, I got used to inquiring about what coffee maker is included. Last place in Port A was best, drip Mr. Coffee and a Keurig. While both are deplorable, with the single-serve coffee-maker one of the worst environmental offenders? As a passenger or guest? Only there for a few days? The ubiquity and ease of use, convenience? I can forgive the minor indiscretions.
Taster’s Choice? Starbucks instant?
When I inquired about the Baltimore place, the answer back was “no coffee maker, no hot water.” Weird, but inner city? There’s a Starbucks and a Dunkin on every corner, it seems. Plus local spots? Even better. Place came equipped with a half bottle of Tequila and a near empty bottle of watermelon margarita mix. Not touching that. Just, no. No way, Jose.
Instant Cafe Bustelo
Cafe Bustelo
At my grocery store at home? The Starbucks six-pack was six, seven dollars, a buck a cup. The Cafe Bustelo was only, maybe, a buck and a half.
To its corporate credit, current CEO issues aside, Starbucks perfected the single-serve infant coffee. As near as I could tell, the Instant Cafe Bustelo follows the same formula.
Instant Cafe Bustelo
To me, Cafe Bustelo tasted much better.
