V-Coffee on Shabbos
A new way of manufacturing instant coffee is becoming popular. Coffee produced in this manner is touted as tasting better and being healthier. The process for producing “V-Coffee” does not involve any pre-cooking of all the coffee powder, but rather, air-roasting and grinding a portion of the powder. It is roasted by a process similar to making air popped popcorn. Due to the fact that a portion of this coffee is not pre-cooked, using it on Shabbos poses a halachic question, as there is a question if re-cooking an item that was baked or roasted is permissible in a “kli-sheni” (second vessel). As always, everyone should follow the guidance of their own rabbi. My recommendation is to use “irui kli-sheni” (pouring from a second vessel). This is the procedure: pour from the kettle into a cup, put the V-coffee into a dry cup, then pour the hot water into the second cup.