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Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

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171–180 of 394 posts

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#171

I buy instant coffee 3 or 4 times a year when I go backpacking. Because it's that rare, I'm not going to subscribe, but if I saw this for sale at [Big Box Outdoor Store] when I was buying supplies, I'd probably pay a premium for it.

Great, thanks for the feedback!

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#172
post #136

Like other people, I'm not precisely the target market. I brew my own pourover with beans I get from my local roaster (hooray Andytown!) and admit that part of my love of the whole thing is for the ritual of grinding, weighing and so on. That said, I appreciate good-tasting coffee, enjoy trying new things, and am intrigued. I could see uses for this, and it would make an interesting gift. I'm way more likely to buy a…

Thanks for the feedback! I love Andytown - have you been to the new shop yet? I live in TL and wish it was closer :(

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#173

I don't understand the point of this product. You're obviously targeting people who already like coffee, such as myself: I already buy beans, grind them myself, and manage the process using an Aeropress, and I'm hardly some coffee hipster because I use goddamned Eight O'Clock Columbian Peaks. Yet, you are trying to sell me instant coffee, which I automatically am wary of because instant coffee is the shittiest coffee…

And on Firefox, their SVG logo reads "Sudde offee". ( http://i.imgur.com/HZ1Hnwg.png )

Hmmm that's odd. Thanks for pointing out!

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#174
post #148

I would love to try this out but you guys don't post to Australia yet :(

We did international shipping until Jan but it turned out to be just a pain. A lot of shipments got stuck in customs or got lost - it wasn't the customer experience we wanted and not really worth it for us

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#175

I work in the coffee industry and saw Sudden pop up last year so was interested in the technique and hacked it out. Freeze dried coffee is already what Folgers does and sell you. This is the more artisanal version of that since the big brands have big factories that can pump out plenty of instant coffee grounds. So this is a ramped up volume play on existing techniques perfected by the doomsday preppers. Youtube sear…

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Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#176
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Happy to answer whatever questions we can disclose! Thanks for starting the thread. It's somewhere in the middle to be honest. We did not invent freeze dried coffee - it's been around for over a century. However, it is quite difficult to make it work at-scale in a way that's profitable/sustainable, and that still tastes good. I have a pretty extensive background in operations, manufacturing, & tech and I had to pull…

Who is your target? If people want good tasting coffee, like a connoisseur, one would like the option of selecting the type of bean, where it is sourced from, how it's roasted, how it's ground, how it's brewed etc. People even vehemently oppose and stand by brewing methods, which to an ordinary person who doesn't care about coffee, wouldn't care about. And if someone is buying instant coffee anyways, I doubt they car…

I don't know how common it is but I bring an aeropress and hand grinder whenever I travel. It's a ton of work and sucks. I drink pour over everyday (dial in temp, grind, ratio, and draw time for every new coffee), make iced coffee during summer, and subscribe to a coffee service. In theory, this would work better. I have no idea if the addressable market is big enough but I certainly wouldn't mind trying it.

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#177

when companies do these types of posts, does that mean that they have already been accepted into the 2017 winter batch of YC companies? or is this just part of the application process?

It means that we've been part of the YC winter 2017 since January 3. The Demo Day was yesterday so it's almost finished actually.

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#178

what do you think of the starbucks instant stuff? (personally I think it's as bad as starbucks but not much worse)

It's remarkably similar to fresh Starbucks. I think it's up to everyone to decide whether that's good or not.

Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#179
post #141

OK, I'll try it. I've been interested in an instant/easy cup of coffee for a long time and yet to find anything worthwhile. From a tech standpoint the order process is a bit lacking and confusing. I'm prompted to create an account after ordering, but then emailed an activation for an account that was automatically created. I'm unsure if my month starts now, and I can expect a shipment soon, or if I have to wait till…

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Re: Launch HN: Sudden Coffee (YC W17) – Instant coffee that doesn't suck

#180
post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm with you. I'd only want this sporadically, like when I'm camping and traveling or to give as gifts. I don't need it on a monthly basis and I feel conflicted about having to sign up only to cancel (and how easy is that?) within a month.

Same here. From where I sit, Starbucks Via Instant is the competition. It's a notch above the urns of Folgers Freeze-Dried in the grocery store, but like all things Starbucks, still too bitter to really enjoy on its own. Okay, so I'm not a coffee snob. I'll brew at home in the morning with water at the right temperature, but I'll use pre-ground beans from a vacuum pack. Sure, freshly roasted tastes way better, but as…

Really appreciate the thoughtful feedback - thanks!
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