Is Hex’s instant coffee worth $2.50 per cup? I think so and I’m not alone
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Hex Coffee now sells six-packs of instant coffee for $16. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s also delicious.
“The response to instant coffee has been better than expected,” said John Michael Cord, owner and roaster at Hex. “People have probably had pretty underwhelming instant coffee at hotels or the airport, and we have to opportunity to show people that good coffee makes good instant.”
I was introduced to Hex’s instant coffee by a neighbor who dropped off a few packets. I was skeptical, especially at $2.50 a packet, but after trying it, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to look at a Keurig the same way.
It’s just so damn tasty.
And I’m not alone in my love.
Hex sold over 300 just in the past two months according to John. “With the ease, convenience, and the fact that it is shelf stable, it’s a pretty easy sell. Not everyone has the time or know how to make a perfectly crafted pour over at home; that’s ok!”
All you do is open a packet, pour it into hot water and stir a few times.
“It gets people to opportunity to try our coffee with little effort or understand for how to brew coffee.”
The instant coffee is made in collaboration with a company named Swift Cup, who specializes in creating instant craft coffee.
/2024/01/05/1704493572994.jpg)
“We currently have our FORM blend as our only option, but we have had single origin offerings in the past that have sold very well,” said John. “Our goal is to have as many instant offerings as we have unique coffees.”
You can purchase Hex’s instant coffee at their South End coffee shop or from other spots like Defined Coffee and Lincoln’s Haberdashery. Warning: It’s sometimes sold out, so be patient.
As far as I know, Hex is the only local roaster doing instant coffee.
“We have never considered doing instant coffee in that format,” said Matt Yarmey of Pure Intentions Coffee. “I believe the biggest ‘pro’ of instant coffee is convenience, and our product to meet the needs of those looking for convenience and quality is our canned cold brew.” Which is also delicious, BTW.
Not Just Coffee uses Counter Culture as their roaster and neither has plans to offer instant coffees.
So for now, Hex’s delicious (and pricy) instant coffee is unique in the Charlotte market.
“As long as we can make it approachable, consistent, and worth the investment (being shelf stable, it will taste as good a year from now as it does today), instant coffee will continue to be a part of our portfolio.”