Same Coffee, Different Instructions
By hereandthere
@hereandthere (45628)
Philippines
December 15, 2015 10:20am CST
So here are two foreign brands of 3-in-1 instant coffee mixes.
The instructions on the yellow sachet says, "Empty content of 1 packet into a cup, add hot water, stir, and serve."
But the directions for use on the blue sachet is different: "To prepare, empty sachet into a cup. Add 150mL of hot water and allow to stand for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly and enjoy!"
Imagine that. I've been doing it the wrong way because all along I thought all instant 3-in-1 coffee mixes follow the same instructions - add hot water and stir.
When making hot or cold drinks from instant powdered mixes, do you just go ahead without reading the instructions, just adding water or powder to adjust the taste?
Someone here uses half a sachet of the morning, the other half in the afternoon. Maybe it's because she uses a cup. I always use a big mug so I always pour the whole coffee packet in it.
22 people like this
23 responses
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
some people here do that. they like trying out new products and just go ahead and use it. if the results aren't satisfactory, they blame the product.
me, i read the instructions first before even buying it.
2 people like this
@mom210 (9170)
• United States
18 Dec 15
@hereandthere What is bad is, we all know we should stop and read them and it could cost us more time in the end. But we still skip them
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Dec 15
sometimes I read them sometimes I dont
4 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Dec 15
@hereandthere pretty much or if I am familiar with it already
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
15 Dec 15
we boil a kettle of water then transfer the water into to several thermos
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
15 Dec 15
I don't normally use instant coffee, but when I do i will pour the water in then try it. I find too much water will water it down, and not enough makes it too strong.
4 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
true. sometimes i'd add milo or sugar or milk.
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
18 Dec 15
@hereandthere Many times I don't even read the instructions. It varies from company to company, and personal preferance.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
@bluesa yes, i would read them if i'm trying a product for the first time. i assume that they had an R&D and/or QA team that developed, measured and tested it before launching the product.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Dec 15
We brew our coffee, but I do check the instructions when it comes to tea and other products that require the pouring of hot water (say like instant oatmeal, though I don't buy that anymore). I have made the mistake of making such instant products incorrectly (it is possible!). Usually the instant stuff is for times when I don't have time - and I don't have time to remake - so I have to make sure I do it right the first time! 
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Dec 15
@hereandthere I agree - the instant oatmeal IS sugary and over processed. I get the steel cut stuff - takes much longer to cook, but it's "heartier"!
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
21 Dec 15
the flavored instant oatmeal in individual/single serve packs tend to be too sweet and doesn't really have that much fiber.
i now prefer soaking quick cooking plain oatmeal overnight, then just heat a little in the morning.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I don't use any instant drinks at all.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
@gudheart not really. most of the brands here have the same instructions as the yellow sachet. only the blue sachet has a different instruction. i followed it today. it tastes the same. less froth, though.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
@gudheart if i stir it with the teaspoon while pouring the hot water, it's actually frothier.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
@bookbar 
now that i'm older i'd like to try drinking tea since some are supposed to be healthy (green) or help you sleep (chamomile). maybe i just don't know how to make them. they always taste bitter to me. 
now that i'm older i'd like to try drinking tea since some are supposed to be healthy (green) or help you sleep (chamomile). maybe i just don't know how to make them. they always taste bitter to me. 1 person likes this
@bookbar (1609)
• Sudbury, England
16 Dec 15
@hereandthere ...well I haven't yet had to chew instead of drink,hehe!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22245)
• United States
16 Dec 15
I don't drink coffee, but when I have take cold medicine I always look at the label to make sure how much water to use.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
really? i don't think i've taken cold medicine that i had to add water to. here, it's usually tablet, capsule or liquid that you take a teaspoon or tablespoon of.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22245)
• United States
16 Dec 15
@hereandthere I take either Theraflu, or AlkaSeltzer Plus Cold.
1 person likes this
Probably not the best way to go!
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
2 Jan 16
I just got a tassimo for Christmas, I am very happy with it
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
2 Jan 16
i looked it up. i see that tassimo is a single-serve coffeemaker. nice.
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
19 Dec 15
I always read the instruction, but not for those 3-in-1 instant coffee mixes. I thought these are all the same, pour hot water and stir. I never thought I'd need to wait for one minute.
Thanks for sharing this. I guess I'll need to read the instruction always.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
20 Dec 15
i was surprised, too. but when i followed the direction, same result.
@OreoBrownie (3755)
• Commerce, Georgia
17 Dec 15
I have prepared wrong before. I like iced coffee.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
17 Dec 15
there are fastfood chains here where people like ordering the coke float, but i prefer the coffee float instead.
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
16 Dec 15
I never have read instructions for instant coffee. I just add hot water and stir.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Dec 15
I am so horrible at cooking in general, that I have no choice but to read the instructions thoroughly on everything, including mixing drinks! If it's something new, I always read the instructions for the first few times I use that product. Then, once I am used to it, I no longer need to read the instructions, as I can do it from memory. But, yes, I typically do read the instructions on everything!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
my sister prepares coffee and creamer in a bottle, and when |I make coffee for the 3 of us, I put 2 plastic teaspoonful per cup; I add 2 teaspoonful (not heaped) of sugar on my son's cup, while I and my sister with just 1 teaspoonful of sugar only. I do not like to read instructions too.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
16 Dec 15
we have and make coffee both ways. we stopped buying powdered creamer and just use powdered milk since the latter has more uses. how about at work, do you use 3-in-1 coffee?
1 person likes this
