The Puck Stops Here: Wolfgang Pulls the Self-heating Latte
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05. 2.06
A year ago we got all overcaffeinated about the Wolfgang Puck instant self-heating Latte, thinking it just about the worst idea ever. Turns out Wolfgang may be beginning to think so too- he has asked that they be pulled from the shelves. Evidently there have been reports of exploding, melting or overheating and it has just become too hot to handle. There is also a commercial dispute about actually paying the manufacturer for them. We are pleased that Wolfgang has seen the light and relieved that we can now go back to Spago. ::New York Times
I tried one of these - it wasn't bad except for its rather chemically aspartame sweetened flavor. When I was done, I was shocked at just how much material was in the packaging. I'd rather have preheated coffee in a styrofoam cup than this half-pound of steel and plastic.
While I agree that it is good that they are being pulled.
From what was written above, it appears that they were pulled due to defects / problems with the product, not because Wolffee was concerned about the affects that it might have on the environment.
I think this idea was a little before its time. Most of us will see more products like this in our life time as the science improves. That being said sometimes when you try something new sometimes you get burned.
I kind of liked those. Are they pulling the hot chocolate ones, too?
I hope they can fix the problem.
Those could be handy when we're trapped on the top of our houses due to global-warming induced flooding... ;)
My fiancee would buy these. I never made much sense to me. So much packaging for a hot cup of "coffee." I am happy to see such disposable products disappear.