Coffee

25 Feb

How do y’all make your coffee in the morning when you get out of the tent? The NYT reviewed several products a few months back and decided this GSI espresso maker made the best cup. A few weeks ago, I tried Starbucks VIA for the first time up after waking up in a cold, wood-burning stove heated cabin on an island in Lake Winnipesaukee, and dare I say this, but it was pretty darn good. Way better than the instant Folgers I’m used to.

MP3: Bruce Cockburn – Going To The Country

Comments 21 Comments
Categories Camping
Author Cold Splinters

21 Responses to “Coffee”

daryl February 25, 2010 at 11:40 am #

A Turkish Ibrik is my all time favorite backpacking companion. Light weight multi-purpose container that makes an outstanding cup when brewed properly, which isn’t tough.
Cobby February 25, 2010 at 11:50 am #

I haven’t tried VIA but I hear good things. My preference for morning java is a cheap plastic press, like this one:

http://www.rei.com/product/761283
Alan February 25, 2010 at 12:08 pm #

Classic photo of William Kemsley from the Backpacker magazine days along with a Kelty BB5 a Warmlite tent.
Alan February 25, 2010 at 12:09 pm #

meant to say ‘BB5 backpack and a warlite tent’
dan February 25, 2010 at 12:53 pm #

totally classic mountains, too.
Mark February 25, 2010 at 3:32 pm #

I used to use this little guy – http://www.rei.com/product/401153 . Decent coffee, but took up more space than it should in the bag, and clogged unless I used a pretty coarse grind. But ever since Starbucks Via came out, it’s been my go-to brew.
sinuhe February 25, 2010 at 4:02 pm #

I’m a tea guy myself, no packing out gross coffee grinds…
Eric February 25, 2010 at 5:02 pm #

I agree tea is the way to go. Yerba mate is a pretty good coffee alternative, as is smoked tea like lapsang souchong.
Foster February 25, 2010 at 8:02 pm #

I have to agree on the Starbucks Via. It is great instant coffee, and camping is the only time to partake in instant coffee. There’s no other choice for me.
Noah February 26, 2010 at 7:50 am #

Follow this link to the one of my favorite pieces of camping gear. It weighs practically nothing and brews some of the strongest, best tasting coffee I’ve ever had camping– no need for instant… All you do is fill the filter up 1/4th of the way with your favorite groung coffee and pour boiling water through, no need to steep. Enjoy!

http://www.prolitegear.com/pl_msr_mugmate_coffee_filter.html
Nic February 26, 2010 at 10:43 am #

Another voice in support of Starbucks Via – it doesn’t take up much space/weight and it actually tastes like normal coffee. Also, with the frequent coupons and promotions (at least out here in the PNW) it’s not terribly expensive either.
eryn w. February 26, 2010 at 1:33 pm #

We go with the GSI French press. A little fancy, but oh-so-good…
http://www.gsioutdoors.com/list.aspx?c=5&sc2=10
Mark February 26, 2010 at 1:41 pm #

I never travel without my AeroPress, whether it’s camping or staying in hotels. Easy to use, easy to clean and makes great coffee! http://www.kinetic-koffee.com/aeropress
CM February 26, 2010 at 1:58 pm #

Use to bring a press but now I only backpack with VIA cause of the size, weight and it’s really good. Kind of caught me off guard how good it is.
NinjaPonyDad February 26, 2010 at 2:32 pm #

Boil water with grounds, strain grounds, cowboy coffee.
CaptainJack March 1, 2010 at 1:50 pm #

I prefer to pack a lip o’ beans for a day out in the backcountry…
Logcabineer March 2, 2010 at 3:16 pm #

Check this out !
http://www.handpresso.com/
andym801 March 2, 2010 at 5:03 pm #

I agree with tea.
And mate:
http://www.guayaki.com
Rachel March 3, 2010 at 8:25 pm #

Cowboy coffee. Boiled in an old kettle over a camping stove.
http://oldhouseclub.blogspot.com/2009/05/extreme-r.html
Angelo R. March 4, 2010 at 9:01 am #

Tip: If you go the tea route, hang the used bags on your pack/outside of your tent to dry. Then use them as tinder for a fire.