The Beautiful Cup: Backcountry Coffee for the Ultralight Backpacker

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Under no circumstances should you let a non-coffee drinker brew your coffee.

Non-coffee drinkers CANNOT be trusted to make acceptable coffee. If some well-meaning tent-mate gets up early and offers to bring you coffee in bed, do NOT let them. You will be sadly disappointed, and the entire day may founder in a miasma of negative drama. Let's face it, the coffee ritual is something those not addicted to coffee will never understand. Politely get up and give them a genuine and heartfelt thank-you. Then make your own beautiful cup.

(Note: it's possible that your hiking companion will be annoyed at this type of behavior and come to view you as the control freak that you are. But remember, joy is joy, and any impediment to your coffee bliss MUST be avoided.)

As you may have gathered, I've got some opinions about this whole coffee thing. So, before we go any further, and in the interest of full disclosure, here are a few of my personal prejudices:

Strong coffee is good coffee.
Except for a very few companions, I don’t trust anyone to make coffee for me.
Adding sugar to coffee is criminal.
Sometimes I add a little milk in my coffee, but black is just fine.
Adding flavors (like hazelnut and almandine) to an already perfect drink is sinful.
Picking grounds out of my teeth is a serious buzz kill.
Coffee equals joy.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

IMPORTANT TRUISM #1
The Methods
- FRENCH PRESS
- SMALL FILTERS
- SMALL FILTER 2.0
- JAVA JUICE
- COLD PREPACKAGED COFFEE IN CANS
- COWBOY COFFEE
- TURKISH GROUNDS
- TURKISH COWBOY
Condiments
- POWDERED MILK
- SUGAR
IMPORTANT TRUISM #2
Alternative Caffeine Delivery System
- Jolt Gum
A Backcountry Coffee Code of Conduct

# WORDS: 3130
# PHOTOS: 11

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This topic has 100 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 8 months ago by Ken Thompson.

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Sep 13, 2010 at 1:37 pm #1645249

Jim Cowdery
BPL Member

@james-cowdery
Locale: South Florida

Is a good cup of coffee in one hand and a microbrew in the other.

I just had that experience over the weekend….

Sep 13, 2010 at 2:44 pm #1645276

Tohru Ohnuki
Member

@erdferkel
Locale: S. California

One thing that affects coffee quality tremendously is the time since roasting and the time since grinding. Try to find a microroaster in your area and try to get it the day before you leave, whole bean coffee keeps its intense aroma and flavor up to a week, maybe two, after roasting. Grind it in the field if you can, but keep in mind that once you grind it, the quality is dropping by the minute, especially if it's ground finely…

Sep 13, 2010 at 3:22 pm #1645280

D G
Spectator

@dang
Locale: Pacific Northwet

I roast my own. Can't get any fresher than that!

Sep 13, 2010 at 3:49 pm #1645291

Greg Mihalik
Spectator

@greg23
Locale: Colorado

Kyocera CM45 Coffee Grinder

Adjustable ceramic burrs. Holds about 35 grams of beans.
About 2.25"x6", with a removable handle. 8.25 ounces

Sep 13, 2010 at 3:54 pm #1645293

Miriam Riner
Member

@mariner

When I hike without a stove, I add chocolate covered espresso beans to my trail mix in the morning.

Sep 13, 2010 at 4:05 pm #1645303

Travis Leanna
BPL Member

@t-l
Locale: Wisconsin

Greg,
That Kyocera is on my wedding registry. I hear it's one of the better hand grinders you can get. At home I've used what I thought at the time were nice electric burr grinders (~$65) but they're always messy, loud, and produce an uneven grind. I've always been disappointed. Do you have the Kyocera? Comments on it?

Sep 13, 2010 at 4:26 pm #1645314

Greg Mihalik
Spectator

@greg23
Locale: Colorado

Travis,
I have had one for about 9 months. I grind for 2 or maybe 3 AeroPress cups a day. It is consistent when grinding the same roast. Change the roast and you will have to change the grind setting. (No real surprise there.)

I grind frequently so I don't clean it very often, but when I do, it is an easy task. Just don't drop the ceramic parts.

It is pretty quiet, but certainly not silent. I can carry on a quiet conversation.

The handle has a pentagonal hole that fits over a post. It is opening up. I just have to pay a little more attention while I grind to keep it in place.

It is a PITA when you have 6 people over for dinner and they all want coffee.

It is a satisfying morning ritual for one or two.

Sep 13, 2010 at 4:57 pm #1645322

Travis Leanna
BPL Member

@t-l
Locale: Wisconsin

Thanks Greg–yes, the (quieter) morning ritual is what I'm more interested in.

Not to bug you, but I've also looked at that AeroPress before. Care to comment on that as well? :)

Sep 13, 2010 at 6:05 pm #1645340

Greg Mihalik
Spectator

@greg23
Locale: Colorado

Travis,
I sent a PM to avoid even more drift here.

Sep 14, 2010 at 1:04 pm #1645539

Benjamin Evans
Member

@bevans
Locale: Atlanta

Aeropress rules !!

http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-80R08-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284494556&sr=8-1

now if they would just come out with a lightweight trail version…………

Sep 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm #1645610

John Murtiashaw
Member

@murda
Locale: Ashvegas and beyond

I monkeyed up a method with a %100 cotton bandana stuffed 1/2 way into a nalgene, then wrap a hair tie (or rubber band) around the lip to hold it on. The nasty bandana needs its own ziploc, but I've had it out 8 days and no mildew. Fill to desired amount of coffee and pour the water on through. After using this method on a few trips the white bandana turned a really pretty caramel color. Another note, starbucks must be pushing Via really hard right now, because I was talking with a buddy about it nearby a starbucks counter the other day and the barista gave me a bunch of free samples. So go up to your local starbucks and start singing the praises of Via in a very loud manner…

Sep 14, 2010 at 6:08 pm #1645614

John Murtiashaw
Member

@murda
Locale: Ashvegas and beyond

i left out the part about machine washing the bandana. Otherwise that'd be pretty gross

Sep 15, 2010 at 10:25 am #1645814

Frank Steele
Member

@knarfster
Locale: Arizona

I was using the Jetboil press in my Snowpeak 700, perfect fit and the lid fits too! but once I discovered Starbucks Via, there is no going back. It tastes great and the clean-up is non-existent versus the press.

Sep 15, 2010 at 7:05 pm #1645981

Ross Ulibarri
BPL Member

@ulibarri
Locale: Southern Rockies

I currently like Via for solo and Turkish cowboy for groups. I don't like drip methods because on high altitude, cold mornings, the slow dripping makes for luke warm coffee.

What I have to add to this thorough discussion is to suggest Nido for creamer. Nido is powdered whole milk rather than skim milk which makes it much more like the half and half I use at home. Nido is a Mexican product. I used to bring it home from Mexico trips, but now I can buy it in all the local grocery stores where I live.

Ross

Sep 15, 2010 at 8:01 pm #1646000

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

good suggestion-I use a mixture of nido and hot chocolate to give make my via a mocha, I also use nido in my cereal as well- more calories and MUCH better tasting than normal dried milk

my Walmart carries it- a big tin will last me quite some time

Sep 16, 2010 at 12:03 am #1646039

Darrin Montgomery
Member

@dsm811gmail-com

I like steel cut oatmeal in the morning and usually just put the grounds in the oatmeal, both are chewy and a tablespoon seems to work longer than just a cup of brewed, although it takes longer to kick.

Sep 17, 2010 at 4:51 pm #1646630

Thomas Trebisky
Spectator

@trebisky
Locale: Southern Arizona

Just when I thought BPL was just one gear review after another (yawn), along comes something like this!! Even if it is recycled from the print magazine, and even if it clearly predates the advent of Charbucks VIA. Wow, what artwork!

I love my jetboil french press, but haven't carried it in some time in my quest for ultralight. I am going to try making cowboy style on the bush-buddy after reading this. Heck, I may try making cowboy style at home to master the technique (but patience is not in my vocabulary first thing in the AM).

So … what is the word on VIA versus Java Juice?? At least I know where to get VIA, but may have to search for the Juice, but I won't bother unless there is a promise of superior coffee.

Sep 19, 2010 at 8:16 am #1646905

David Wills
Member

@willspower3

Ill second using cold brew coffee. Its biggest limit is keeping it fresh in warm weather, but it makes a delicious cup really easily, hot or cold. I use about 1 ounce per normal sized cup. Less bitter than normal brew, and has a sweet taste so sugar isnt necessary. I think the speed and cleanliness of it would lend itself well to backpacking, even if weight is a tad more. I suppose making it in the woods wouldnt be too hard either. I make a liter at a time at home in a nalgene, then french press it, transfer it to another bottle for the fridge. Any filter method would be just as easy. You can buy it pretty cheap from coolbrew.com if inclined.

Sep 19, 2010 at 8:53 am #1646909

Chris Benson
Member

@roguenode
Locale: Boulder

"So … what is the word on VIA versus Java Juice?? At least I know where to get VIA, but may have to search for the Juice, but I won't bother unless there is a promise of superior coffee."

VIA trumps Java Juice imo

Sep 19, 2010 at 9:20 am #1646915

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

"So … what is the word on VIA versus Java Juice?? At least I know where to get VIA, but may have to search for the Juice, but I won't bother unless there is a promise of superior coffee."

VIA trumps Java Juice imo

agreed- so lightweight and and soooooo easy, but still tastes good- it's not going to match your neighborhood bistro, but for backcountry use it's almost perfect

Sep 19, 2010 at 11:01 pm #1647121

jimbo jones
Member

@hawaiicruz

Ok My $0.02…
Cowboy is the only way to go for serious coffee drinking ULers.
A few tips I've learned. Grind EXTRA fine and ADD THE COFFEE TO THE BOILING WATER, boil for one minute and remove from heat, at that point, add the powdered milk, or whatever to the pot (it will help settle the grounds). let it sit calmly for a minute and then pour. The first cup will have a few grounds but they will quickly sink to the bottom, after that, all the grounds will stay in the pot.

The whole trick to not spitting grounds is the fineness of the grind.

Starbucks via LOL

Sep 20, 2010 at 6:47 am #1647166

Greg Mihalik
Spectator

@greg23
Locale: Colorado

"…for serious coffee drinking…"
"…add the powdered milk…"

I didn't know serious coffee drinkers adulterated ;-)

Sep 22, 2010 at 10:31 am #1647902

Mike Clelland
Member

@mikeclelland
Locale: The Tetons (via Idaho)

Yes – I agree with what others have noted. VIA is superior to JAVA JUICE (and Javette, a similar product).

This has changed how I camp with coffee.

And I still drink it black.

Sep 22, 2010 at 11:33 am #1647920

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

^ coming from the author, that says a lot :)

Sep 22, 2010 at 2:54 pm #1647999

Roger Caffin
BPL Member

@rcaffin
Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

"…for serious coffee drinking…"
"…add the powdered milk…"

Milk is for killing the harsh taste of Instant Coffee when that is all you are offered as a guest.

Real coffee is black.

cheers
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