"canned coffee" news and stories

"Big soda" has been blamed for the obesity epidemic, but now they are trying to launch an even more insidious plan on the public: they want people to stop brewing coffee at home and buy prepacked, ready-made coffee drinks instead. And by "they", I mean Pepsi, the company that partners with Starbucks to put out bottled frappuccinos. Tracey Doucette, who runs the branch of the company that handles the partnership, said that their plan "is about converting users from the coffee form they have today to a new form that is ready to drink."

Many consumers welcome such a change, remarking that it would be faster and "less work."

The worst part of this is that studies have shown that consumers do not want to buy black coffee in a can, or coffee with minimal added sugar and cream. They want sugary "treats" - and by trying to make that the standard for coffee in the country, the companies really do seem to be promoting poor nutrition, in addition to the eradication of coffee as we know it.

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Now, I don't usually go for canned or bottled coffee drinks, but I have a special place in my heart for Bustelo. I grew up drinking it - Cuban coffee is pretty much the only thing you'll find in the coffee shops and delis in Key West. For those unfamiliar, Bustelo is a Cuban-style, espresso roast coffee. If you've ever had a decent cafe con leche, chances are it was made with Bustelo (If not, it was probably Pilon).

So, when I saw cans of Bustelo Cool in my supermarket, I had to grab one. As you can see, it comes in the narrow 8 ounce can that's become the hallmark of energy drinks these days. Is it as good as a little styrofoam cup of disfiguringly hot con leche? No. But it does taste like Bustelo and it definitely has a kick.

[Photo: Nick Vagnoni]