Starbucks coffee is one thing I can’t resist. I always have to buy a cup every time I pass by the store. So when I received a mailed pack of the new Starbucks flavored coffee, I could hardly wait!
The ready brew coffee was named VIA. As soon as I read it on the label, I immediately thought of the national passenger rail service VIA Rail Canada and then wondered if they was some kind of connection between them! LOL. But on second thought, I realized VIA is the Italian word for ‘road’. Hence, the namesake conjures the idea that one can have Starbucks coffee anywhere anytime. Brilliant concept!
VIA is in cute little attractive packets that are individual servings for 8oz cups. The grounds are super fine and dissolves well in boiling water. The aroma was faint but the familiar smell of brewed coffee was undeniably there.
There were 4 flavors: caramel, mocha, vanilla, and cinnamon spice…..all of which were from 100% arabica beans with natural flavors and cane sugar.
To get the full taste, I drank them all straight without any sugar or cream. They were pretty good on the whole. Light but good.
I tried the mocha first as I love everything mocha. Living up to its namesake, it had a dark chocolate scent and a bittersweet taste.
Next was the vanilla. Its smell was present as I placed it in my mug. As I’m not a fan of vanilla, I found the (vanilla) flavor too strong as compared to the coffee taste.
Cinnamon Spice. Its aroma, as its taste, was ‘spicy’ but not quite the kind I expected from a cinnamon blend. This was the flavor I least liked.
The flavor that I liked the most was the caramel. Although the scent and taste of the coffee was basically that of caramel, it was a real delight —– sweet and buttery!
Nothing beats freshly brewed coffee. But for a portable cup of good-tasting coffee, nothing beats VIA.
Goodies in Canada 