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Post by williamh4 on Jan 8, 2016 6:52:49 GMT -8
I'm curious to know what you have for coffee when on the trail. I really enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning and would like to have a cup when I'm on the trail. What have you found to be the best option (good and convenient)? Of course, there's instant coffee, can't get much easier than that. Is there something better tasting and still easy enough to make on the trail? If instant is the way to go, what have you found to be the best?
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T4
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Post by T4 on Jan 8, 2016 8:31:00 GMT -8
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2016 9:15:06 GMT -8
I have used something similar to what T4 uses, but in recent years have simply settled for Starbuck's Via. It's not as good, but with powdered milk, the difference is somewhat erased, and at least it's hot. I've found that doing drip coffee at 10 or 11,000' on a frosty morning doesn't result in a very hot cup of coffee Plus, with instant there are no grounds to haul out (see the LNT thread). For instant, I stick with either the Starbucks or Trader Joe's instant, which is pretty good. Mostly I admit I use Via because the pre-packaged servings are about right for my mug and it's easier than carrying in bulk--a decision that might change on a longer trip, though probably not--I don't think I can do coffee in a zip-lock very neatly, and a rigid container would weigh and bulk more than the little packets. For milk, I very strongly recommend instant whole milk powder. I find Nido, sadly a Nestle product (packaged for sale in Mexico), oddly enough, in my local Asian grocery. That stuff really makes the difference in the coffee, compared to instant skim milk (meh) or non-dairy creamers (gross). On short trips, I have also been known to carry a few packages of shelf-stable real half-and-half, the liquid stuff. But that's heavy, has a lot of packaging, and they are easily damaged so you have to be very careful.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2016 9:19:45 GMT -8
Here's what I use when I make drip coffee: www.rei.com/product/784659/gsi-outdoors-ultralight-java-drip-coffee-makerI use it all the time car-camping, as we have limited gear space when we take 4 people in the Prius Also, if another coffee-drinker is coming, especially on a shorter trip, I bring the aluminum percolator. It's about 6 or 8 oz, I think, and makes very good coffee at higher altitudes (where the boiling point of water is lower).
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Post by trinity on Jan 8, 2016 9:39:17 GMT -8
Another satisfied Via user, I am partial to the Italian Roast. I am embarrassed to admit that I have also been known to carry a titanium coffee press link into the backcountry, but I no longer consider it worth the weight, bulk, or inconvenience of use (compared with instant). But if really good coffee is important to you, certainly worth considering.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 8, 2016 11:28:43 GMT -8
As always, everyone has great suggestions. Something as simple as a cup of coffee isn't so simple on the trail (at least maintaining similar quality to home).
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2016 11:35:48 GMT -8
Something as simple as a cup of coffee isn't so simple on the trail (at least maintaining similar quality to home). No, it isn't. At one point, I gave up and started drinking tea :D
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T4
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Post by T4 on Jan 8, 2016 11:46:33 GMT -8
I neglected to mention that I drink my coffee black, so that makes it a bit simpler for me. Plus there's just something about pouring water in one end and watching coffee come out of the other that gets me all excited. It's a tangible chemistry experiment that I never get tired of.
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Post by cahiker on Jan 8, 2016 12:46:12 GMT -8
I sometimes use an MSR Mugmate filter. It's only an ounce and is fairly small. After you remove the filter from your mug it can sit on its lid to drain a bit, which makes it easier to get the grounds out of the filter. www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/cookware/cookware-accessories/mugmate-coffee/tea-filter/productI also have a french press attachment for my jetboil that makes coffee as good as at home. It's around an ounce too, but the handle makes it a little more awkward to pack, and it takes the stove out of commission for boiling water. I sometimes use this setup as a coffee maker when car camping, and bring the hand crank coffee grinder. I've found that ground coffee really imparts an odor in my bear can, even when I triple bag it. While I love the smell of coffee, after a few days I find the smell really unpleasant. Maybe this wouldn't be an issue in a bear bag or mesh food storage bag with more air flow. Anyway, I've pretty much gone to Starbucks Via or other instant coffee, often mixed with a hot chocolate packet.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 8, 2016 14:29:09 GMT -8
I'll try out all these instant coffees this weekend. I didn't realize there were so many. LOL, if you asked me to name one before this, I would have said Nescafe.
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mk
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Post by mk on Jan 8, 2016 18:07:48 GMT -8
I, too, use Via -- mostly for the reasons mentioned above. I do use the individual serving, shelf-stable half-n-half, which my grocery stores sell in a box. My coffee mug has a lid, so I keep the creamers in the mug to avoid crushing them. It's acceptable to me for trail coffee -- and one cup gets me moving in the morning and keeps the caffeine headache at bay.
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Jan 9, 2016 9:32:05 GMT -8
I might have been a barista for 9 years of my life....I might have a pro setup in my kitchen...but I drink VIA and hot cocoa mix when hiking. It does the job.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Jan 9, 2016 13:26:38 GMT -8
Another Via drinker here. I tend to use the powdered creamers on the trail. One packet Via, one packet creamer, one packet sugar, and add boiling water. Quick wake me up juice.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jan 9, 2016 16:58:37 GMT -8
Another satisfied Via user, I am partial to the Italian Roast. Certified contrarian Via user also partial to Italian Roast. Prepared only with evening meals in a combination hot drink of a Via coffee packet and a Land O'Lakes Cocoa Classic selection.
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Post by williamh4 on Jan 9, 2016 17:25:37 GMT -8
Via must be pretty good as so many of you drink it.
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