I believe there is really only one purpose for instant coffee - to be used as a flavor booster for brownies. That's it. Nothing else.

My mom used to drink instant in the mornings or when my father didn't want a cup. It had an acrid smell and had a layer of something resembling foam. Years later, I bought some. I was single and didn't think about brewing coffee for one. I had one sip of one cup and never drank it again.

Freshly brewed coffee is paramount to good taste. Although it's not as quick (or, well, instant), coffee is something that needs to be prepared properly to achieve the results you're looking for. If you don't want to brew it at home, I'd suggest living close to a shop where you can get fresh. I say this in jest, but really, there's no substitute. I recently purchased a gorgeous stainless steel coffee maker at a local grocery for MUCH less than I thought I'd have to - added some great gourmet beans and a couple of mugs for a housewarming gift for a friend who doesn't drink coffee but likes to entertain. She told me it was the best gift she could have had because she was embarrassed that she didn't have coffee to offer when her book club gets together. When she'd offered them instant in the past they looked at her as though she'd offered coffee from last week.

Fresh coffee is worth the trouble. Nothing else will do.

Learn more about this author, Keitha Fisher.
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