Isle Royale Forums

Anyone else out there frustrated by how lousy most instant coffee is (even Starbucks)? Frustrated, but not willing to pack a coffee press?

After reading some positive reviews, I bought a box of Mount Hagen instant coffee, which comes in single serving packets. It's actually surprisingly good for instant. One packet in 8 ounces of water seems to be about right, though some people might prefer 6 ounces.

Any other decent brands out there?

My first camp coffee was Maxwell House boiled in a pot of water (Folgers just wouldn't do ). So Starbucks VIA has worked pretty well for me. But I wouldn't mind finding something better, so it sounds like I should try Mount Hagen. And if I ever have a camping partner that hauls the french press in and the grounds out, I'll happily contribute some really nice ground beans .

Years ago, when I was dating a coffee-drinker, I kept Maxwell House singles around, which were accepted ok by my boyfriend who was pretty picky about a lot of things. Incidentally, I gave the last of them away to a guy who had forgotten to bring anything caffeinated on a Boundary Waters trip and consequently was having splitting headaches deep in the backcountry. He wasn’t too picky either

I am pretty happy with starbucks via but I wouldnt mind trying something new. I will have to give them a shot.

Having been raised on percolated Folgers (which I started drinking when I was, like, 4), Via works for me. But I've meet backpackers who rave about Kuju coffee, which comes packaged in its own, adaptable-to-most-mugs, pourover system. It's pricey and weighty, but supposedly satisfying to the discerning.

https://www.kujucoffee.com/

(Bobcat, I can empathize with the fellow to whom you gifted the Maxwell House singles. About once per trip in the Sierras, I become convinced that I'm developing altitude sickness, only to realize that my headache is due to caffeine withdrawal---usually because I'd had only one packet of Via that morning--- instead. I now pack caffeinated shot blocs to address these episodes.)

Yeah, I carry a bag of odds and ends of hot drink mixes, teabags, etc. I gave him all the coffee singles, and offered him some teabags too in case he needed more caffeine. It was a dad with two kids, a full days paddle from an entry point- his first night, our last night. I like to think the caffeine helped him have a great trip with the kids!

backwoods doc wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:58 pm After reading some positive reviews, I bought a box of Mount Hagen instant coffee, which comes in single serving packets. It's actually surprisingly good for instant. One packet in 8 ounces of water seems to be about right, though some people might prefer 6 ounces.

Tried Mount Hagen this morning and it certainly will do ! On my third cup, as I've tried different proportions--2 sticks per 12 oz cup seems about right for me. I'd also consider getting a jar, and repacking in a zip lock with a measuring spoon--might save some weight and definitely packing material, esp. for longer trips. For 2 people I'd be bringing 8 packets/day, like I do with VIA. Not sure if I like it better than VIA or not. Thinking I need to set up a blind taste test .

Yeah, my wife said I should do a blind taste test before posting anything. I'll be interested to hear your results.

off topic, because it's not instant, and maybe more in-depth than anybody cares for, but I came across this and thought I'd leave it here:

https://www.adventurealan.com/best-camp ... er-coffee/

torpified wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 5:06 pm ... and maybe more in-depth than anybody cares for ...

HA! I have a little plastic 1-2 cup cone that's decades old. What I used for years, although I'm pretty sure I never timed the pour(s) or took 3 minutes . But never imagined one could write a whole article on it! Don't think I'll go back to packing out grounds though.

My first thought was and with a bit of levity, "Where's the French Press?". Then I thought "yea, but it need to be Titanium or something similar." So I pulled out the old Googler and lo and behold found one on REI for $56 and ONLY 6.3 oz. I never make instant coffee at home (except when I rarely run out) but instant seems to taste great in the wilderness. Now I'm thinking about how good a REAL cup of coffee would taste.

torpified wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 5:06 pm off topic, because it's not instant, and maybe more in-depth than anybody cares for, but I came across this and thought I'd leave it here:

https://www.adventurealan.com/best-camp ... er-coffee/

Exactly what I got just a few months ago! Haven't had a chance to try it on a trip yet, but my test runs at home have been excellent. I still prefer the French press to a pour-over, but the plastic press I have for backpacking is difficult to clean and just too bulky for longer trips.

Back on the original topic, I ordered a sampler of Maxim instant coffee from Amazon and it's pretty good (if you like sugar & cream - it's all pre-mixed). I prefer the 2 Rose Bud varieties and you definitely want to keep it to 8 ounces of water or less per pack. It'll do in a pinch and I might even take some with me for a quick afternoon treat, but none of the instant coffees I've tried pack enough punch to get me rolling in the morning.

We have used Trader Joe's instant cofee packets. They come with sugar and cream added though. Not bad.

I work for a Japanese and someone had brought this in, I believe its Korean though.. Has coffee, cream and sugar all in one packet. Not the best but better than dealing with a press and cleaning it up

I'm a fan of cafe bustelo packets for backpacking trips.