Found a really good trail coffee.

[Gipsy]

I actually used to have one of those and where the 'two spoons' come together wasn't a true fit and would loose lots of coffee grounds through the opening. I, too, picked mine up 2nd hand so I'm not sure if it was designed that way or bent.

Mine seals well. one of the spoons has a "lip" on the edge that the other seats into.

It was an impulse purchase, but I later decided to go with the instant Community Coffee brand. (faster, easier, great taste, no additional equipment, no clean-up)

[middle to middle]

Water can sometimes be not the best and add a flavor that is not so good. I always filter the water.

[RockDoc]

Starbuck's Via is the solution for me, at least for hiking.
Otherwise it is French Press.
A Via packet is small, light, and makes quite a lot (16 oz) of reasonably good, strong coffee. Buy it in bulk and the cost is not so bad.

I never drink it Regular (as New Yorkers say). That means with cream and sugar.
It's straight up for me.

[Dirty Nails]

I use this because it's coffee, sugar, and creamer all in one packet...Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!
http://www.bonoble.com/
It tastes pretty good. If you take it with cream & sugar, you'll like it.
I've only tried the original flavor, and it is probably like a medium blend. I use 2 packets for a 10oz cup.
It can't be beat for easy and convienient!
I found it at the Dollar Tree, but haven't seen it there lately.
To me, carrying extra equipment is too much trouble.

[Dirty Nails]

I just discovered they offer a bold flavor. Select their "premium" blend on the left-side screen menu.
http://www.bonoble.com/

[daddytwosticks]

Very cool, Dirty Nails. I'll definitely be on the lookout for these. Thanks.

[Papa D]

I've had the community coffee - wouldn't turn down a cup and yes, a few VIAs are always in my basement ready to pack, but the BEST trail coffee (for me) is THIS:

www.medagliadoro.com/instant-coffee-mix.htm

un- freaking believable!

[amac]

This is a funny thread, if you go back and look at how devoted we all are to our morning beverage. It's fresh brewed for me. I've tried all the other options, and I've concluded that I am simply a coffee snob. I use this thing.

[Roots]

as much as I hate to admit it, because I am not a Starbucks fan--I love my local coffee houses much more--I do like Starbucks instant individuals. VERY yummy on the trail. I like all the flavor options as well. Hate the price, but to me coffee is my luxary item.

[sheepdog]

All instant coffee is just nasty....it's an insult to humanity.


sorry.....it had to be said.

[greginmi]

as much as I hate to admit it, because I am not a Starbucks fan--I love my local coffee houses much more--I do like Starbucks instant individuals. VERY yummy on the trail. I like all the flavor options as well. Hate the price, but to me coffee is my luxary item.

Look on Amazon or go to your local COSTCO. You can get VIA down to around $0.65 per packet, if you buy in quantity. Also, I've been seeing some pretty good VIA coupons in the newspaper that work out to a reasonable cost per packet when you buy the 8 straw box at Walmart.

As you can guess, I like my VIA too.

2 straws of Colombian in the morning get the day off to a good start.

YMMV.

Regards,
Greg

[Surplusman]

This is a funny thread, if you go back and look at how devoted we all are to our morning beverage. It's fresh brewed for me. I've tried all the other options, and I've concluded that I am simply a coffee snob. I use this thing.

Nice! Where did you get this, and how much? I have the one similar to this but it's just too big in my opinion to backpack. I make cowboy coffee and Greek coffee when I backpack, but once in a while I'd like my coffee without the grounds.

[doritotex]

I carry Maxwell House coffee singles .. cheap, light, better than instant.

If you look on the box of Maxwell House and Folgers coffee singles, they list the one of the ingredients as "instant coffee". All they did was put instant coffee in "tea" bag and call them "singles". If you think it is better than instant, it is all in your head, they have done a great job marketing instant coffee to people who don't like instant coffee!!

[Mongoose2]

Dirty Nails; you can find the Mazel coffee at a Korean chain called "Hmart or Super Hmart" check at Hmart.com

I am going to try the Mazel brand as I also struggle to find good trail coffee....thanks for the recommendation!

[Mongoose2]

I find the Maxwell house singles to be too weak.....agree it's just weak instant coffee

[wanderluster]

I've been struggling with the idea of starbucks too. Thank you thank you thank you.

[Harrison Bergeron]

I got excited about this thing:
http://www.rei.com/product/401153

But it was a bust. It clogs instantly on any coffee I've tried it with, regardless of grind. But at least it's only 1.5 oz (as opposed to 4.5oz for that GSI gadget the other guy posted).

I haven't tried using it with a regular filter. Maybe that's the solution, but I hate to have to carry a bunch of cone filters in addition to it. I might as well just bring the filters and leave the gadget at home!

I also tried the REI coffee press/mug. It made great coffee, but it needed 2.5 TABLESPOONS PER CUP! Good, grief! You'd need a whole can of coffee every week.

[Penguin]

Ok so I've been working at Starbuck's on and off for 14 yrs, and this may sound like blasphemy I know, but why not ditch the coffee for a caffiene pill like NoDoz? We all drink coffee for the drug effect right? That's the point I think. Sure it tastes lovely and all, but so does Filet Mignon and we don't usually eat that on trail. One No Doz pill has 200 mg of caffiene, a Venti Coffee at Starbucks has 170 mg of caffiene. You can break that in half for a 100mg equal to about a cup and a half of joe. Caffiene pills are cheaper then coffee, and a ton lighter, plus they save you so much time in the morning. Incidental weight savings on Fuel, cup, and water are also gained. Coffee itself is heavy. Some people waste weight also on french presses or coffee filters in little plastic caddies. If you got to get high on the bean, why not just make it cowboy style. You get perfect groundless coffee without the weight of a French Press.

Oh you think cowboy just means its strong? Silly You!!!
To make Cowboy coffee, boil water in your cook pot, turn off the flame, throw in the grounds, stir, wait four minutes, stir, sprinkle a little cold water on top of the pot from a water bottle, tap the side of the pot 3 or 4 times with your hiking pole, then Wallah!!! All the grounds immediately fall to the bottom, and you can pour off awesome tasting brew.

NesCafe takes the cake for instant coffee for sure.

Oh and the caffiene pills are really cool, because you can wake up, pop the pill go back to sleep for 15 minutes, then come flying awake ready to begin your day.

I like to break mine in half and take half in the morn then half around 2PM when i start losing energy. On PCT I got about 15 hikers around me to all switch to NoDoz or a Generic like Stay Awake. Awesome times. I don't like the super generic KMart brand, Sky Rockets though. They seem to be a little weak and not as effective as the name brand.

[Skidsteer]

Ok so I've been working at Starbuck's on and off for 14 yrs, and this may sound like blasphemy I know,

You shoulda quit right there.

No-Doz indeed!

[Penguin]

Terms, 500 mg of Caffeine and 500 Mg of Ibuprofen= "Baja" Tatu-Joe
200 mg of Caffeine washed down with a cup of coffee = "Eisenhower" my term

Go to the store and get some No Doz. Replace your morning coffee tomorrow with 1/2 of one if you just drink a cup, or a whole one if you worship the bean.