By Olivia Obineme

TU journalism student | Oct. 2, 2009

It’s finally here.  Starbucks‘ new method of coffee are now in U.S stores, in their spiffy individual

Can you tell which one is which? Photo by Olivia Obineme Oct. 2, 2009.

packs and ready to brew instantaneously for your convenience.

They are called Starbucks VIA™ and the slogan is “Ready when you are.”

Today begins the coffee empire’s “Starbucks VIA Taste Challenge” where you can go to the Starbucks nearest you and try to see if you can tell the difference between the “Colombia Starbucks VIA™” next to fresh-brewed Pike Place™ Roast.

Every Starbucks in Towson is doing it, including the Starbucks franchise in the University’s Cook Library.

Students have been participating to see if they can tell the difference. Some can say they are coffee masters, while others still have some tasting to do.

“The Colombia Starbucks VIA™ is delicious,” Cook Library Starbucks employee Tanya said.

Cook Library employee Tanya tests passerbys on their coffee. Photo by Olivia Obineme Oct. 2, 2009

“And the best thing is, it’s all ready for you to brew in an instant.”

Don’t think this new line of coffee was made overnight.

“It took 20 years for us to create a coffee that delivers Starbucks® coffee quality in an instant,” Starbucks chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz said, in a news conference.

“We know that as more people try this product, more people will like it and adopt it into their daily routine so they will never be without great coffee.”

The taste challenge will be going on until Oct. 5 and you can purchase Starbucks VIA and any of its merchandise in the  Starbucks near you or on their website.