Wake up call, where art thou?

Moving home is fun, what with all the clothes and things you get to give away, and start a fresh chapter of life with one and a half bag by your side.

On the other hand its stressful as hell, as you keep cleaning and ruthlessly discarding the incomplete puzzle pieces. The least you expect after zipping about town and airports, is a decent cup of Joe to stay afloat through the 16 hour journey (with 12 hours of layover) from coast to coast. I've had worse experiences.

Like tugging around 20 lb bags across 2 miles from one wing of Detroit airport to another looking for my caffeine fix wasn't enough, what was handed to me was a weak and barely warm cup of coffee. I muttered curses under my breath to the bimbo behind the counter and emptied the glass in the coffee shop's trash can, as if I was pouring the poor excuse over her head.

Glass - Bicchiere (Photo credit: funadium)

With 7 more hours to kill, and sleep eluding despite the aching muscles, i wandered to spend some $$, a surefire way to replicate the rush a $2 glass of coffee could have easily managed. The salesperson at the memorabilia store recommended I take the express train and head north where I'd find a Starbucks. My hopes were raised, and I  quickened my pace. Their vanilla latte was hardly passable by Starbucks' own standard, whether it be their cafes in New Jersey, New York city or Erie. Completely disillusioned by now, I switched to sipping ice cold water and orange juice.

Ikea

Even coffee poster in IKEA rocks!

Clicked this while drawing long sips from my Java cup, after a hectic afternoon of shopping.

Inst a Java

Habitually, I prepare my caffeinic mug late afternoon, when that 2:30 feeling is creeping up on me. It makes for two double espresso shots, which ensures that I stay awake until dinner, and not zonk out on the keyboard.
I made the usual measure, poured out the first double espresso shot, leaving the second dose on the Mug Warmer for demolishing evening sluggishness.
Work engrossed me more than I realized, so by the time I left my desk late in the night, the coffee had condensed to paste at the bottom of the pot. I was tempted to add some cream and sugar, and sample this residual shot. (I refrained from taking the bait).
Instead, I decided to investigate on the question which had materialized in my head - How is Instant Coffee produced?
Wikipedia says

Instant coffee is commercially prepared by either freeze-drying or spray drying, after which it can be rehydrated.

 

About.com states

In 1906, English chemist George Constant Washington, invented the first mass-produced instant coffee. Washington was living in Guatemala and at the time when he observed dried coffee on his coffee carafe, after experimenting he created "Red E Coffee" - the brand name for his instant coffee first marketed in 1909.

Appears that I also stumbled on the same path as George C Washington, a century too late though. Hmmph! The experiments shall relentlessly continue, until I have something which can be patented. Any bright ideas you have? I'm open to partnering with someone equally adventurous.