The Best Coffee On The Trail
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ย. 2024
- What's the BEST Backpacking Coffee? After 7 Years, Zach & I put our taste buds back to the test!
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On a recent hike in the Tasmanian wilderness I took a regular-sized aeropress. Ridiculously light-weight, easy to use and easy to clean, it’s now coming with me on every backpacking trip. The benefits of having really good coffee rather than instant coffee is worth carrying a few hundred extra grams.
Agreed
I think so too! I’m considering packing my aeropress or getting the new camping size for an upcoming attempt at an AT through hike. Was happy to see your comment that it was worth it!
@@christopherrobbins3018 definitely! However, some of the reviews I’ve seen of the smaller travel-size aeropress are not so great. First criticism is that it only delivers a small volume of coffee (less than half a cup) and the second criticism is that the smaller size means it takes more effort to extract your coffee. I would be surprised if the regular size weighs significantly more than the travel size. I wish you all the best on your AT adventure. I walked part of the PCT in August 2023 and would dearly love to return to the US to hike your trails!
@@benoloughlin1557 Seek out James Hoffmanns coffee channel, weirdly fun. His review of the travel aeropress shows plunger diameter is the same on both models, so same effort. I now have both. For a big cup I just process twice following Hoffmanns suggested method, not the one in the instructions. Reuse the paper too.
Yeah, nah. Yes to good coffee. Nah - the aeropress isn’t the way.
I hate to admit but Trader Joes instant coffee with cream and sugar hits the spot.
I can't do cream & sugar. I like my coffee like motor oil 😂
So American of you bro
Absolutely the best for on the trail
Yes it does. My go to on trail.😊
I enjoy that too, and I don't even take cream and sugar in my coffee normally. On the trail I genuinely look forward to it.
My aeropress go gets used at home, work and on hiking/camping trips. Easily the best coffee outside of a proper coffee shop.
It was pretty good. I'll definitely be using it on more car camping trips!
@DarwinOnthetrail Yeah it isn't the most UL option, would kill for a full titanium version that fits neatly inside of a a titanoum nesting cup with room for a gas cannister and small stove.
Yeah, but.... You really have to use the "upside down" or "inverted" method... No air stuck in it, easy to press.
Alpine start and Starbucks instant good options too
I use my Aeropress all the time, also. Not UL but not as much a dirty diaper as the GSI PourOver.
Aeropress is the zen ritual for me every morning. ☕️
what about the ritual of slowly pouring water in the java coffee drip. I find that very relaxing to do and with the smell of coffee coming from the hot mash this is almost part of drinking the coffee 😁
Short of taking a full on espresso maker out on the trail, my buddies and I have tried pretty much everything. Instant coffee, fancy instant coffee, aeropress, moka pot, the GSI pourover, plastic French press, some teabag construction, and more. In the end what I like best is making pourer with just a small coffee filter hanging in a cup. You get to pick the coffee, the filters weigh nothing, and depending on where you are you can either pack out the used filters or bury them in a cat hole like your TP. You do need two cups, which if you're hiking with more than one person it's no problem, otherwise a small, lightweight plastic cup that can handle hot water is all you need.
I removed the stir stick, red lid and outer cup of my aeropress go and just bring the center cylinder. I brew directly into my drinking cup which is stable enough since you shouldn’t be applying very much pressure to the plunger anyways. I keep a little plastic bag in the center of the plunger to hold the filters. It brings the weight down to ~200g and still the easiest clean up of all the ground coffee options and the best taste IMO. You could probably drop a few more ounces if you removed the little spoon for portioning the grounds.
Nice video. Definitely a fun detour from the usual ultralight content.
Medaglia D Oro Coffee Instant Espresso has been the mountaineer's choice for decades. It is readily available in bulk at most grocery stores and has a flavor that holds up well at full power. Freshly ground Twisted Tree coffee out of Truckee, CA and the Aeropress accompany every car camping trip and motel stay.
I’ve used numerous methods, from instant to cold brewing overnight, all were serviceable, but the best is still just camp coffee made sort of like French press, but instead of using a press with a screen, you pour a dollop of cold water on top and most of the grounds sink, then decant the coffee off into a cup. You can use whatever ground coffee you like and not a lot of mess to clean up, and used coffee grounds are biodegradable.
I do the Mount Hagen Organic Instant. I find I like two packs in a cup though, but it tastes great and isn't very expensive.
I’m with Shug on the Medaglia Doro for some high points. Not an everyday instant, yet it has a nice rich flavor with a bit of crema which reminds me of a Nespresso machine style. Great video Darwin
I really enjoyed this return video of the coffee taste test! Thanks for what you do! 🤜🤛
Long time watcher, big fan, but first comment. I am a coffee enthusiast to say the least. Bustelo is GREAT for espresso at home and for an instant coffee go-to. Personally though, I prefer freshly brewed coffee and is something I do NOT compromise over on trail or even in the field or on deployments when I was in the military. I hiked with my aluminum canteen cup and cook stand for nearly 30 years. I make my coffee cowboy style (grinds in the water and boil), dash of cold water and let settle to drink. I have an aero-press at home and LOVE it, so I am actually considering one for an upcoming AT thru-hike attempt. I would love to hear from other fans of your page if anyone uses it on trail regularly! Loved the vid!!!
I drink a caffeinated tea on the trail (HiCaf Tea by Republic of Tea). I am not a coffee fan, but HiCaf Tea is a perfect substitute for me. There are a few flavors I like, and they run the range of 116 to 135 mg of caffeine per cup.
Jusr a suggestion for folks who aren't big coffee drinkers that are looking for a good trail caffeine option.
I purchased bulk tea bags and now just make my own by grinding my favorite beans that month and filling the tea bags before I head out. Like the homemade version of those Folgers bags. It’s more work, but it beats instant and is more cost effective. The best part is that I can try all different kinds of beans. I love the aeropress for camping and travel, just not for backpacking.
Great idea. I planned on bringing evening tea that way, but never thought of doing the same with coffee
Mt. Hagen organic, fair trade instant coffee is my go-to. It comes in the little packets and costs about .40 cents/cup. It isn't high in acid, which I appreciate.
+1
I use my oxo conical steel bur manual coffee grinder with my stanley french press. Yes it's heavy but I'm not rocking out big trips. I'm a weekend warrior 8 to 10 miles a day so I'm not worried about weight when it comes to my coffee. If I use instant coffee, it's going to be medaglia d'oro instant espresso. Same way with trail comfort I carry a helinox sunset chair as well. It's a beautiful feeling to wake up eat breakfast in your chair while drinking a wonderfully prepared fresh ground coffee while listening to the wildlife wake up in the forest
As a long time Aeropress user, I saw two things in your "plunge": dry rubber seal is dragging, and perhaps air pressure pushing back? Often far easier than you experienced. And clean up isn't always as straightforward as demonstrated. So, we tried an REI purchase--a self-contained pour over system--which was marred by less than ideal coffee (I've been buying/grinding freshly roasted beans since the 70s, so I'm a little picky about fresh). My wife found the portable coffee filters the system from REI used, and we could use our preferred coffee and have freshly (recently) ground beans of our own choosing. 50 of these filters cost $10 at Amazon (the price for the ready made at REI is $16-20 for six cups), and with our own coffee (about $16/pound) our per cup cost is under a dollar, the coffee fresh, the cleanup about as easy as the Aeropress. In 25+ years of backcountry coffee, we've tried just about everything out there, and almost--almost--anything is better than no coffee, but when excellence is quick, easy, and pretty darn cheap, it tastes just a little better.
Over the years I went from my old favorite the MSR mugmate drip/immersion with real coffee,, to instant and Starbuck Vias (French Roast only!), but for the past few years I've been using Mt Hagen Instant Organic Coffee packets. A box of 25 is $13 so cheap but still pretty tasty. At home I've been using an Aeropress for over ten years. Makes great coffee!
Number 2 cone filters in the GSI drip helps with cleanup and limiting oil taste. Cleans up the coffee too.
It also lets you use fine/espresso grinds (like Cafe Bustelo) in it. And if you're cheap (like me), you can make your own cone filters by cutting a regular basket style filter in half, then folding/stapling it. It's probably lighter, too.
Was about to say this. Cone filters are a must for me because motorcycle camping in the desert I can’t afford the water to clean it! Instead you can just burn the paper filters and coffee in a fire or pack the filters out and bury the grounds. Only issue I find is I probably use too much grounds, but maybe I need to up my grind fineness.
I gotta admit, the best coffee I've had is done by using the cowboy coffee method. Water in pot, add grinds, bring to a simmer, remove from heat, sprinkle on a tablespoon or 2 of cold water to help force grinds down. wait 3 min, pour into cup stopping before the grinds and you're good to go. Wipe out the pot for easy cleanup. I'm surprised more backpackers don't try this method.
Because it is unhealthy.
@@deKampeerwijzerInteresting. Can you explain?
Worth noting that the caffeine level of the verve coffee is craaaaazy caffeinated especially for how small and light the packaging is. You could honestly make 2 small cups with 1 package and get a good amount of caffeine per cup. Plus it’s super convenient to be able to toss it into room temp water if I don’t feel like boiling water. If it weren’t so expensive I’d only drink that on trail and that is my choice for shorter trips when I’m not spending as much. Lots of different flavors too.
Late to the thread but here goes anyway... At home, I hand grind my beans every morning and use a French press. Always straight up black. I even take it along on my glamping canoe trips (when no significant carries are involved). Backpacking, I've tried multiple ways to make coffee (Via packs, dirty diapers, Folgers instant and even an Aeropress). Not sure why, but I don't like any of them. My go to now is Maxwell House Cafe Vienna. Lots of fake crap in it, but I enjoy the sugary, creamy, caffeine-y boost.
A jetboil normal size French press fits perfectly in a Toaks 750! No need for instant coffee when you have an ultralight French press for that backcountry Joe:)
I didn’t know this! Good tip!
Darwin I’ve been watching you for the past 5 years and I’m so glad you’re back. You look great and happy and I’m so glad to watch you have fun like that! Keep up the great content and good vibes!
I would suggest using a Melita @2 filter in the pour over filter. It's easier to clean up, remove the paper filter, and it slows the rate of flow and makes the coffee stronger. I don't backpack much anymore, bad knees, but on the motorcycle, in the kayak or raft, you use a GSI coffee maker that uses the Melita #4 filters and just use what coffee I drink at the house.
Verve is my car camping choice when I don't care that it's $3-$4/cup. Also love Black Rifle instant like others have mentioned. I sometimes add a packet of cheap Tasters Choice instant to a fancy tastier one to make it stretch. 😁 Great video!!
Car camping I use a moka pot....backpacking the GSI pour over...
Great video! Have the same stove and love it. LNT Master Educator here; I don’t recommend dumping grounds; please pack them out. I like instant for the trail; no fuss no muss.
Why wouldent you dump coffee grounds?
If you're going to say don't do X, it's always more useful to explain why, rather than force people to ask. So why not dump grounds?
Coffee grounds are not part of the natural ecosystem (at least in the areas being considered here). You should pack them out for the same reason you should pack out orange peels, apple cores, eggshells, and the like. Some of these things may be harmful to wildlife and are unsightly at best.
@@BobShowalter none of those things are harmful to anything, they are degradable organic substances no different to eggshell from native eggs, nuts and leaves dropped on the ground or native berries. I'm all for doing sensible things to protect ecosystems and wildlife, but that is OTT. Organics simply degrade into the dirt or get picked apart by ants, fungi, etc.
@@PinataOblongatayes, but these things take much longer to decompose than we might think. They can accumulate faster than they break down, especially in heavy-use areas. The current research shows that biodegradable food products are among the most commonly cited examples of waste reported at campsites.
I've switched to chocolate covered espresso beans for my caffeine fix on trail during Spring and Fall.
That's a pretty good idea right there.
one of the staples in my pack -- but as a boost when tired on trail
This was a killer episode, dude. You guys should do this yearly 🤙
Hey Darwin! Been watching your videos for several years now and you're probably a big part of the reason my family enjoys backpacking/camping now. A couple of years ago I picked up a jogo coffee straw that has a filter built into it which allows you to take whatever normal coffee you prefer and brew it in your mug. It takes a little getting used to drinking coffee through a straw but if you haven't seen it yet it's a fun gadget worth trying!
Agree, Darwin is the reason I love backpacking now. I didn’t start until my early fifties. Now I’m 60 and I got my family involved, so yes we’re all getting out there because of these videos. 😊
I use a regular AeroPress with a 3D printed attachment for storing filters and a 1zpresso Q2S grinder that fits inside. That way, I can grind fresh beans every morning. It’s a heavy/overkill, but since I seldom camp alone it feels good to make coffee for everyone in the morning.
Mount Hagen 25 Count Single Serve Instant Coffee Packets - Organic Medium Roast, for the same reasons you pick Cafe Bustelo. About 33 cents per cup off Amazon, although I double them up.
As someone who doesn't like coffee, I still enjoyed this video. Thank you!
😂 🤙
Thank you for 22 minutes of entertainment, a coffee video after a hard Monday at work is fantastic 🎉
All bow to the GSI Java Drip! :D
Just turn it inside out and give it a toss - the grounds fly right out... then I usually just rub the filter in the snow :D
Cheers
I got rid of my moka pot and titanium mug for coffee even as a weekend warrior ! Now i use a Buphallo metal mesh filter + plastic mug for a total of 28g (1onze) set-up ! I put boost vanilla powder or carnation breakfast essentials and it does the trick so well (from a guy who only drink the best latte with an espresso machine at home) !
I use the GSI with a couple of hacks. Add a paper filter to help with clean up. Second, If you drop the whole thing into the hot water for a minute or two, then put it back up on its legs, you get a much stronger cup of coffee.
Another instant coffee you should try is Medaglia d'Oro Instant Espresso Coffee. A little hack here is use a snack size ziplock, measure out your coffee, add your sugar and creamer. Makes for a tasty and cheap alternative to premade coffee packets.
My Toaks 900 wide with a Toaks 550 nest together. The larger Toaks heats enough water for the pour over into the smaller Toaks and still has enough water for instant oatmeal.
I have done an aeropress at home amd it is good coffee after practicing. I would take on weekend trips for the great coffee. For thru hikes I would do the less expensive. Normally on thru I add coffee to instant breakfast drink up and head out. Great video Darwin
I'm a big fan of alpine start. pretty damn good for instant.
pretty sure old school Darwin used to be a fan of that one
Awesome video for a few reasons... 1. Showing the difference between cooking/prepping outdoors vs in a cozy kitchen, 2. Love the stove and just ordered one on Amazon, 3. Like the coffee cup and will order. 4. Comrade 5. Showing the experience of drinking expensive coffees I will NEVER buy. A little slow on the uptake for the pour over, however. I discovered drinking pour over coffee in 2004 on the AT using the Melitta plastic pour over for $5, which I'd purchased from an Ingles in Cleveland, GA. Also enjoyed the Epic reading!!! If you REALLY want to take your Cup O Joe to the next level, try Sav-A-Lot French Vanilla creamer with your instant coffee. I use the powdered version and it's almost as good as the re-refrigerated version.
If you're on the trail with two coffee lovers or if you want a big cup, there's very affordable 500ml Titanium "cups" with a french press insert integrated in the lid. These make a fine cup, we even use these when Van-camping. You just need normal coffee, a bit of a coarser grind is best.
Also there's "coffee bags" like tea bags available in Germany, I don't know about other countries though. And little cardboard contraptions to filter through, but that's another story and not practical mostly.
Aeropress Go for the win! Even use it at home when I want a "fancy" coffee instead of a Kuerig. Sure, a little more weight, but best tasting coffee in the backwoods for me.
Great video, totally enjoy the bougie side of trail talk and coffee. For us coffee drinkers it’s always a discussion on trail….have a great weekend everyone 🤙🏽
Thanks for the suggestions on the instant coffee. Definitely great for lightweight on the trail. I personally love the Aeropress at home. For this experience, looks like that brand's grounds were too fine, so it was harder to plunge...
I very much agree with you. I'm not a nice person without my coffee, lol.
I know this sounds weird and crazy but I usually use carnation instant breakfast and death wish instant coffee mixed. It makes kind of a mocha and lets me get on trail faster.
I usually drink death wish expresso at home.
Awesome video, thank you for returning to one of my favorite videos.
Saturday, January 27th: Often the best coffee is dependent upon the situation, the weather and state of being; however, with all things being equal, a good French press mocha on the Trail was a pleasant surprise. Happy Trails!
For ground coffee: #2 t-sac. Spoon coffee into the sac, use the flap like you would use a teabag string (if you drape it over the side while brewing, it's easy to keep the open end above the hot water level). The used biodegradable sac can be packed out or buried in a cat hole. I did the burn test, and the sac is pure natural fiber.
I have used a primula brew buddy with a simple collapsible Ozark trails silicone cup for a long while now. The combination of pour over and steep brew is nice for me. If I'm feeling luxurious I bring a grinder and simple insulated cup so I grind fresh and don't risk burning my hands.
for a lazy cup that actually tastes good I've been LOVING mount hagen, its freeze dried so it dissolves even in cold water and still tastes great
After experimenting with many ways of making coffee on trail, I settled on cowboy coffee.
Just stir a spoon of my regular coffee into a cup of hot water, stir, and let it sit until cool enough to drink.
It's easy and good. (Just don't try to drink the last sip in the cup).
I use the aeropress all the time at home, just so easy and great result with minimum mess to clear up. On the trail I use coffee bags, just like tea bags, that have decent ground coffee in. You can get in most big supermarkets here in the U.K.
Quite surprised they weren't mentioned in the video as I'd be stunned if they're not a thing in the U.S. Thanks for the vid.
A lot of brands of instant coffee here are in the bag form.
I love that you didn't even bother to scrape the snow off the table. That's rugged dudes! The pour over screen is a good one, tried and true for real grounds. I opted to packets, Maud's (sister Hazel-nut) is my go to right now.
Korean instant coffee packets are delicious. They aren’t as strong but include milk and sugar. I add several to my cup and shake it up. This makes it a little frothy. Try it out! If I want a stronger cup I mix the Korean coffee packet with a Starbucks packet.
Great video! Out of fairness to the aero and pour over it will be much much better with freshly roasted and grounded coffee.
For me - ultralight means turkish coffee, otherwise manual coffee grinder and an aeropress 🤓
You need the Presso Insert for the Aeropress. It is a new cap that gives it some additional pressure for brewing, and a metal filter so that you don't lose oils into the filter anymore. Another bonus is no need to carry those paper filters, or packing them out as trash.
It warms my heart to see you back in my you tube neighborhood.
The "Reusable Java Filter" by GSI Outdoors (the one without legs) packs incredibly small, weighs only 4 grams, and is also REALLY cheap..! Just add some coffee to the filter, place the filter in the cup, pour over some water, and let the brewing commence. This filter does let some fine grit through the filter, but this sinks pretty quickly, and is not a problem as long as you are a bit careful at the end.
Love this vid! As a barista backpacker, I am always searching for the best coffee-on-the-trail experience that is both cost-effective, time efficient and high quality. Thanks, Darwin!
Definitely loving the nostalgia! One of my favorite videos then and now!
Hands down favorite is Black Rifle Coffee coffee bags. Not the instant (but their instant is good too!) but the bags. Brews like tea, easy to make lighter or stronger. The bags are a little annoying to pack out so I wouldn’t bring on a super long distance backpacking trip, but I bring them on literally every single other kind of travel I do. Especially when staying at hotels, bc hotel coffee is the worst.
I love ya man and your channel. Do remember a time you hiked with no stove, cold soaked everything and poured instant coffee into your water bottle, cold. Glad you came to your senses. I've done everything from drip to aero press to cowboy coffee. The GSI Java Drip has been my go to for over three years now.
Medaglia d'Oro Italian Roast Espresso Instant Coffee has become my go to. I just carry a baggie and scoop it out.
Medaglia d’ Oro instant espresso FTW. You’re doing a disservice by not adding this to the taste test.
Next Time!
I didn't like this one, so I haven't had it in years. But, isn't it acidic? Some people like that, but I'm not one of them. I think Darwin noted a coffee he didn't like was acidic.
For the GSI, if you have only one cup, boil water, dip the net with coffee in it for a few minutes and then let it drip with the legs. To clean out, the easiest way is to hold the legs and do a motion like throwing 4 example in an weist bag
GSI collapse pour over..just so you know..instant ..yuk
Aero Press ..bitter,coffee cools too quick..too many parts to keep up with..
I have been using the GSI for years, using a paper cone filter makes a better brew. It's slows the drip down and way easier to clean up. With the press he should have let it sit longer so the gas could escape. Would have been much easier to push down.
Thanks for the update on trail coffee! My go-to is the Brew Buddy, a pour-over mesh device which allows me to bring ground coffee as strong as I like it. Pack out the grounds & a quick rinse to clean the mesh for next time. Brew Buddy is small & light, easy to tuck away in my food bag.
I have an Aeropress at home & will bring for car camping but too bulky for me when backpacking.
I pack ground coffee into tea bags. It’s a little prep work but I can have my coffee exactly the way I like it.
I do the same. Tastes like coffee at home and I get about 50 cups of coffee for the same cost of 10 instant coffees.
Man, that brought back a flood of memories. I used to go camping in the Jemez when I was stationed to Kirtland AFB back in the early/mid 90s. Nice vid, good coffee reviews. I'm a pretty bog-standard coffee guy (USAF maintenance coffee will do that to you).
Aeropress for the win. When you load it 'upside down' as was initially demonstrated, I think it ensures the plunger is set right. I will say that it is easy to press at a bit of an angle and the walls of the plunger part can rub against the body of the primary chamber and makes it a lot harder to press down. Also, if you prefer a less strong coffee that's a lot easier to press, you can just use a lower grind (bigger particulate). You get the most intense coffee with espresso ground, but your standard drip grind will get a very weak coffee unless you let it steep for a good while.
When I make coffee at back countries, one thing I found out is that we have to consider altitude, above the 7000ft, it's very hard to brew good coffee, I usually switch to instant ones or just bring some roasted coffee beans to chew on.
I'm a big fan of the Aeropress, been using one myself for nearly a decade now. The biggest upside for me is if you change the grinds/beans then you get a different coffee, but i get it's not for everyone especially not if you are really counting the grams. For instant I usually just decant some of whatever I have at home into a ziplock bag (whatever I have at home is whatever was on offer at the store)
Car camping: coffee press and good quality, fresh ground coffee. Backcountry: Either Mount Hagen or Cafe Bustelo and sometimes both mixed together. Starbucks is way too expensive for average coffee. Folgers is acceptable if I can't find anything else.
I keep some Folgers as my "there is nothing else and I need caffeine" it doesn't taste the best, but it gets the job done.
I stock up on Death Wish or Cafe Via whenever I see it at Grocery Outlet. That brings it down to less than 50 cents per packet. Of course, if you don't like those coffees, getting them on sale is pretty pointless.
ugh death wish is grosssss so it doesn't surprise me you can get it at gross out @@michaelb1761
Medaglia D'Oro instant espresso, an old school classic, is pretty good too.
Bustelo it’s my absolute favorite so I’m super happy to see it in this list even if it’s at the very bottom 🥹
Another great video! I've been working on my trail coffee game for quite a while. I found that, among all the different things we try to figure out, coffee may be the hardest. You can get coffee that's supercheap and almost no additional weight (baggie full of crap instant, for example) but tastes horrible. Or you can carry added weight in the pack (like the Aeropress) and get a good cup of coffee. Or land somewhere in the middle with a lighter setup but you end up carrying out more waste (like the dirty diaper you mention).
I actually bought empty tea bags and filled them with coffee. Figured it would be the easiest to carry and clean up while only adding marginally more weight. I've never been more disappointed in an experiment's outcome. Made a weak cup of coffee, no matter how long i let it steep. While I love my GSI Ultralight Java Drip, unless you line it with a paper filter, it's a royal PITA to clean up. Fine for a single overnight but if you're on trail for more than a couple nights, the clean up is messy. Plus, the used grounds still have a lot of water in them and that's adding extra weight to your garbage bag.
So I finally settled on the Aeropress. I've been using one at home for years so I am used to the... "ritual" of making coffee with it. While it's a bit bulky and adds some extra weight, it's worth it to me so I can have a really good cup of coffee in the morning. Plus, the cleanup is easy as it doesn't really need to be rinsed out (saving water if you're in a drier environment) and the used grounds have had the vast majority of the water removed so the waste doesn't weigh as much. In fact, the only way to have less (and lighter) weight after making coffee is to use instant.
I love that Bustelo has travel packs! One of the best “cheaper” coffee options for sure. A couple years ago I picked up an Espro UL French press on Amazon. It’s that one luxury item I take every backpacking trip. Love that morning cup o’ Joe
I just got an aeropress full size and love it. Havent taken it camping yet. Been a pour over guy so far!
The original coffee on the trail was the reason I found your channel. Still love it!
I love my Aeropress, but I go cheap and easy when backpacking. Mt Hagen instant works for me, and pairs wonderfully with my favorite cheap ramen breakfast.
If you're eager for your coffee in the morning, do yourself a favor and use a windshield for your gas stove!
You can make an UL one out of tripled aluminum foil which you fold in a zigzag and connect both ends (in circumferent direction) with a piece of wire. You should still be able to reach your burners control mechanism through the gap between both ends.
You'll save so much cooking time and fuel that it's well worth carrying that extra few grams instead of a reserve canister on longer hikes!
When out and about in town, I love MacDonald's coffee. When I'm backpacking I enjoy Sprouts Organic Instant Dark Roast Coffee with organic heavy cream powder. I boil water, mix in my coffee and cream and I'm good to go.
Wow natural, at ease Darwin, seems like a cool guy
I like a low acidic dark roast. Medaglia Doro and Cafe Bustelo are the only two instant coffees that dont burp up reflux or taste like a55.
Mt Hagen organic instant from Germany. Tastes almost like good real coffee and is pretty cheap even in the single serving satchels.
Agree. It is my personal favorite, especially for the price.
I couldn't stand Mt Hagen
Cowboy instant coffee…🤪
This is the part about ultralight backpacking that gets me. Out in nature, consuming ultra processed products.
Coffee is as primal as it gets.
Hario makes a flat dripper, you can get natural coffee filters, kingrinder’s p0 is $22 and packs pretty small for such a solid grinder.
Pack some quality beans. Dial your beans’ volume and grind size in at home and make some real coffee on the trail. The ritual is worth it.
You also drink out of the aeropress cup, so that can save some space/weight. I’d go with that one as well because it’s possible to make actually great coffee in it. Check out the aeropress championships for some really great brewing methods.
Thanks for the great review! I crave & love my morning coffee on the trail. A number of instants will do the job. Quick, light & I perfer something in the more affordable range. However if I'm going to treat myself to real coffee you just can't beat the Aeropress! I find it equivalent & maybe better than home brewed in a maker. Mine is very fast to make. As he said maybe your seals were new & stiff in your test. Really like mine. Great coffee to start the day!!! ☕️ Cheers!!!!
Great Caesar's ghost... coffee tastes I've read in all the comments reveals how unique we all are. Time to experiment and find a coffee and method that suits me that won't break the ultralight bank. Happy trails everyone!
I like to wake up and walk, so I prefer instant coffee mixed with mint hot chocolate or a vanilla instant carnation breakfast packet (for "milk"). Simple. efficient. easy. Definitely going to try some of these brands out. Dandy Blend is decent for those who cannot have actual coffee too. Enjoyed that for a bit.
I’m a HUGE fan of Steeped brand coffee bags. I can’t stand the taste of instant coffee and this to me is the lightest zero mess option available that makes a real, good cup of coffee. Highly recommend it.
I have a cheap Amazon top and bottom container cup system. I make cowboy coffee using the big bottom and the top is my actual drinking cup. Very similar to percolating. Tastes great.
You guys must have been really pinging from the caffeine after this video shoot! Bravo!
Aeropress is by far the best cup of coffee your going to get in the woods. I use mine twice a day every day. Still on the original rubber seal 3 yrs later. No longer need to do inverted. Just get the new bottom piece with the rubber stopper in it. No leaks at all and i use the stainless screen so clean up is a breeze. There are many coffee grinders that fit in the plunger tube. Some people just want some coffee. To me its a ritual every morning. The process is part of having the drink. At night when Im going to sleep I think about making coffee in the morning. Its a reward for having all that down time called sleep. Some of you reading this will say Im crazy. Some of you are like dam thats me to a tee. So just do you and be happy. I can tell you the absolute best coffee you will ever have is the coffee you drink in the outdoors. May only be one thing that beats it on a cold morning. BACON sizzling away in the skillet waiting for a few eggs to go in that grease. Add in that fresh coffee and its like heaven every morning.
Cafe Bustelo is my go-to. I buy the big jars (~$6 at Target or a 2-pack for ~12 at Sams Club) and make my own "trail k-cups". I take a 35mm film cannister, add a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar and then fill the rest (about 3-1/2 to 4 teaspoons) with the CB powder. That makes a strong 12-oz or normal 16-oz cup on trail. Yes, the film cannister is heavier than the plastic tube the packets are in, but they can be reused indefinitely, so less plastic ending up in landfill. Note that I typically don't do more than 2-3 night trips, so 4-6 pods are plenty. If I were going on a longer hike, I'd probably just fill a peanut butter jar or ziploc bag with this mix in the same proportions..
Always love your relaxed attitude 😊 Here in the UK I use coffee bags as a happy medium between instant and 'proper' when out camping (I'm not even sure if you have tea bags in the US). Coffee bags come in their own sachet and are so easy.
I do like my aeropress at home, but to bulky and fiddly when I'm out. Pour over is way to messy and you need to care for the papers and carry the coffee separately. Instant coffee sachets are just ... yuck (over here), but I am English so I'm allowed to be snooty.
If you use a #2 cone filter with the Java Drip it makes clean up a breeze and gives the water a little more contact time with the grounds. I also pre weigh my coffee for each day and put it in a ziplock snack bag, but I’m not going out for months at a time.
I’m all about those brew company pouches. Reusable, taste great. A+
You've gotta check out Swift coffee for some more really great instant selections. I can't stand brining a coffee maker and having to pack out all of the grounds when backpacking but I could see it for car camping or similar.
Recently tried hills bros instant coffee (double mocha flavor) on a backpacking trip and it was my favorite because I didn’t need to add any cream and sugar, just put it in till it tastes good and be done with it. The best trail coffee experience yet.
The gadgets make the coffee cold. So coffee with the grinds or Folgers instant coffee. The grinds are roasted beans, eat-em up for more caffeine.
I love coffee in the morning but on trail, when I know I'm gonna need to take a dump 10-15 minutes after finishing, I tend to wait until I'm within walking distance of a decent crapper. For that reason, I find I can usually go without