Recently, Coffee Project New York ventured into the instant coffee world. We give their new instant coffee pods a go.
BY EMILY JOY MENESES
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Featured photo by Emily Joy Meneses
Operating as a training lab, roastery, and café with nine locations across New York, it seems like Coffee Project New York can do it all. I’ve been enamored with the shop ever since I had the chance to visit their East Village location a few years back.
A couple months ago, the café’s team announced their venture into a new realm: instant coffee, bringing their own twist on it by using their signature Woke Up in New York blend. “We love the ‘Instant Pod’ for the office, staying in hotels, airplanes, and for when we’re running late for work but still need a quick coffee fix,” CPNY shares about the product.
Today, we’re taking CPNY’s coffee pods for a spin.
Destigmatizing Instant Coffee
When I was first training as a barista in 2015, there was a lot of talk about the “right“ way to do coffee—with a lot of disapproval being shown for things like instant coffee, alternative milk, or overly sweetened coffee. Now that I’m older, I’ve come to believe that we shouldn’t judge how anyone else takes or brews their coffee. A person’s preferences are largely shaped by their own personal circumstances and culture.
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with instant coffee! For busy parents, people with physical disabilities or limitations, or people who simply can’t be bothered to slow-brew a cup, instant coffee can be a great solution—so why not make it good?
The Coffee Pods at First Glance
CPNY’s instant coffee pods come in packs of eight or 20, and each pod is meant to brew a single serving, either hot or iced. The Woke Up in New York blend incorporates Central and South American coffees and has tasting notes of milk chocolate and candied nuts with a fruity finish.
When I first received my eight-pack, I was super excited about the packaging. The case for the pods was minimalistic and chic, and each coffee pod was designed to look like a tiny to-go cup; who wouldn’t be in love with that?
Brewing the Coffee
Because each pod is quite small, one can’t help but wonder how much flavor will come out of them—but when I brewed the coffee, I was quite surprised. I tried the coffee black, both hot and iced, with about eight ounces of water for both. (The packaging calls for four to five ounces of water, if you prefer stronger.)
The hot coffee was smooth and balanced, with the milk chocolate notes strongly coming through. The cup also had the depth and smokiness that most people look for in a standard “breakfast blend.” Overall, the coffee was quite mild, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who’s looking for strong fruity notes to come through in their coffee. But if a cup of coffee that’s both easy to brew and high in quality is what you’re after, I recommend it.
How did the CPNY pod hold up as iced coffee? I was in love! I found that the bright, fruity flavors came through a lot more in the iced coffee. Plus, the instant coffee dissolved surprisingly well in cold water. Slightly citrusy, the iced coffee was vibrant and refreshing—on par with any iced coffee or cold brew you’d get at a café.
The Verdict
Overall, I’m a fan of these coffee pods. I think they would be great for gifting or for days when you’re on the go and want a cup that’s quick but still high-quality.
And still, nothing beats experiencing Coffee Project New York in person. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting one of their locations!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Joy Meneses (she/they) is a writer and musician based in Los Angeles. Her hobbies include foraging, cortados, vintage synths, and connecting with her Filipino roots through music, art, food, and beverage.
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