My husband and I drink instant coffee most mornings before we get the kids up and ready for school. For a long time I've been seeking the perfect coffee maker to elevate our coffee drinking pleasure, but for many reasons it's just simpler, quicker and hotter to drink instant coffee. So, you might call me an instant coffee connoisseur, because I've tried nearly all the instant varieties available at our local market. I can't say I adore any of them, but Nescafe rises to the top of the list when I rank them by taste, aroma and crema.

Preparation and Temperature ~

When you live at altitude like I do, the lower boiling point means that physically, hot beverages like coffee just aren't as hot as they would be at sea level. That's why I don't like brewing coffee here at my home, because it's never hot enough... even before it has time to sit around. Drinking Nescafe Clasico instant coffee is my simple and cheap solution to having hot coffee ~ I always boil water in my tea kettle and wait for the true rolling boil to occur before I pour it over a rounded teaspoon in my cup. By the time I add a little cold milk or cream and stir, the coffee is slightly cooler but steam still rises up. AAhhhh, that's better than lukewarm Starbucks on a snowy day!

Crema? No Problema!

Nescafe Clasico grounds look like nubs of cocoa before they are reconstituted, which gives the coffee its lighter than usual color when it's made. After pouring the boiling water over a spoonful of Nescafe Clasico in my mug, a creamy, smooth blond layer of "crema" appears at the top. It dissipates slowly after I stir in the milk, but the layer of crema makes me feel like I'm drinking something smooth and special. I haven't found another brand of pure instant coffee that makes crema like Nescafe! Other brands, like Folgers Instant, can be very dark brown (almost black) when prepared. I prefer the Nescafe color (a rich, chocolatey brown) and flavor, which seems more mellow to me. Speaking of flavor, it's not the deep, rich coffee flavor that you'd get from a cup of espresso, but I actually enjoy it anyway. It has a slightly roasted taste which isn't marred by oiliness or bitterness. I guess you could say it's smooth, but it's definitely not Starbucks.

Aroma? Nothing to Write Home About...

When you first release the inner vacuum seal on a new jar, the aroma is fabulous! It's like traveling to Seattle from your kitchen. However, that amazing coffee scent doesn't stick around. Now, when I smell the coffee inside the glass jar, it has a faint smell that's not really coffee like at all. I do think that Nescafe Clasico in its glass container has an edge over other brands that come in plastic containers. Some of the other brands put their coffee in plastic jars that have lift-up lids. I find the lift-up lids don't really close tightly and the coffee goes stale quickly. However, with Nescafe Clasico in the jar, the lid screws on tightly and some of the fresh taste remains until the coffee is used up. 

For some reason, the jar of Nescafe Clasico we purchased at our local grocer is marketed for Spanish speaking buyers. The front promises buyers !la taza que te da Mas! which means The cup that gives you More! After drinking and savoring this brand for many years, I can truly say that of all the instant coffee brands I've tried, Nescafe Clasico is truly la sabor mas preferido in mi casa!

Some other *good things* about Nescafe Clasico ~

It comes in a glass jar that can be recycled or used to hold nuts and bolts in the garage.

It's 100% coffee, so there are no other weird, unpronounceable ingredients or preservatives hidden inside.

You can also prepare it with hot milk, which will make your morning beverage good for your bones, too.

If you can't find Nescafe Clasico in your regular coffee section, you might try looking in the Hispanic Foods aisle ~ it's a brand that is popular in other countries, too.

Thanks for reading!

Take a Peek in my Cupboards at my other foodiepinions:

Altoids Dark Chocolate Peppermints ~ Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate ~  Puffins Cereal
Muir Glen Tomato Soup ~ Mezzetta Calamata Olives ~ Redmond Kosher Sea Salt
Spice Hunter Chili Powder ~ Chinese Five Spice Powder ~ Maseca Masa Mix 
O'Coco's Chocolate Crisps ~ Manischewitz Potato Latkes ~ Wolff's Kasha 
Organic Gala Apples ~ Mahroum Sesame Bar ~ Jello Butterscotch Pudding

Recommended: Yes

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