It appears that there is some trouble brewing in the agreement between Starbucks (SBUX) and Kraft (KFT). As part of the agreement, Kraft distributed Starbucks bagged coffee and the Seattle's Best brand in supermarkets and other food retailers. The agreement dates back to 1998 and has grown to $500 million in annual sales (initially the deal net sales of $50 million).

The intentions were made public by Starbucks last night. The latest salvo fired in this java jive is a mere continuation of a fight that has included both companies accusing each other of having "improperly characterized the terms of the pact." According to Kraft, it requires Starbucks to pay the fair-market value of the business along with a premium in "certain instances."

Via, the new instant coffee product from Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), is making its debut Tuesday on the national stage.

The powdered java was already available in select markets, but the so-called ready brew is now being rolled out to all of the coffee chain's U.S. locations -- and CEO Howard Schultz promises it "will change the way people drink coffee."

Well, what took them so long? Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is going to start offering instant coffee for $1 a cup next week. Apparently, the new instant product has been in the development pipeline for roughly 20 years. Yes, 20 years ladies and gents. Old Howard Schultz and his java minions have been sitting on this earth-shattering release for 20 years. Trust them, this $1 cup of coffee has nothing to do with challenges from the likes of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) or Dunkin' Donuts. Nor does this new product have anything to do with the company's financial struggles.

Of course, you can't saunter into one of your five local Starbucks emporiums and order up a $1 cup of coffee, you have to buy three packs of the instant coffee for $2.95 (according to The Wall Street Journal) or $9.95 for a pack of 12. At that price, I would be willing to try this new coffee creation named Via.
The caffeine king contends that the instant coffee market remains a $17 billion global market, and it is now trying to find its niche in that world.

This post is part of our Battle of the Brands feature. Let us know which brand you prefer, and check out other Battle of the Brands posts.

Drinkers of fine coffee may turn their noses up at Folgers or Maxwell House, but these two brands have been household names for decades. And they're not the just offering plain, old coffee for the commoners anymore. They've both added a variety of coffees to their product mixes in an effort to lure more upscale (picky? elitist?) coffee drinkers to their brands.

Folgers, one of the Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) family of products, has added roasts such as Black Silk, French Roast, Gourmet Supreme, and House Blend. They've also got a line of flavored coffees that include Crème Brulee, Vanilla Biscotti, and Caramel Drizzle. You will also find instant cappuccino in French Vanilla and Mocha Chocolate flavors, and the trusty old plain instant coffee is still available. I've had it, and it's not all that bad when you're in a pinch!