After our nice find of Java Juice as instant coffee, Michele was on the look out for other options. While shopping at the 99 Ranch Market (an Asian supermarket in LA), she found a box of Casa Coffee.

Sure enough it's another way brew a single cup of coffee for those of us that are coffee machine challenged.

Basically, it's a single use drip coffee packet. You rip off the top and place it in the cup. The Casa Coffee people call it a 'flying bag' due to the wings on the outside that hold the coffee packet in place.

Pouring the water in was a bit troublesome. It didn't work so well trying to use the hot water dispenser. I assume they intend you to use a teapot.

Once the water was in the coffee got one pass though the grounds and into the cup. In theory, it works just like a standard drip coffee maker.

Once the water it through, you lift the 'wings' and toss the used coffee packet away.

Too bad the coffee didn't taste too good. Maybe they didn't use good beans to start, or maybe I didn't let it steep right, but the coffee was weak and tasted a bit stale. The mouth feel was wrong, missing that essential oil that just barely is seen on fresh brewed coffee. It would do in a pinch, but I prefer even the powdered instant more.

I gave it a second try the next day. I poured the water in a bit too fast and the grounds overflowed the filter and went into my cup. I spent the next five minutes trying to get the floating grounds out of the cup. Falling at that, I put in extra sugar and drank it down anyways.

I have to give props to Casa Coffee for a neat idea,but they probably need a one way filter system that prevents overflow and better beans. By the way, be sure to check out the impressive Casa Coffee wallpaper!

Posted by michael at June 12, 2006 09:53 PM