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how to cut coffee weight
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › how to cut coffee weight
- This topic has 157 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 13 hours ago by Terran Terran.
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Jun 9, 2013 at 2:45 am #1303984
I'm looking to see what everyone uses for their coffee setups to see if I can cut some ounces off mine. I use a plastic French press mug, it weighs 8oz and I don't have to carry anything other than that and my cook pot.
Jun 9, 2013 at 2:56 am #1994817Jun 9, 2013 at 4:09 am #1994823Mike Clelland's article on backpacking coffee techniques.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/coffee_beautiful_cup.html#.UbRhyRaTBhA
Unfortunately this was written before Starbucks Via was on the market – I think it is my preferred trail coffee method when camping with 1 or 2. When camping in bigger groups I'll think about bringing a proper coffee brewing method
Jun 9, 2013 at 4:22 am #1994824No comparison.
Only downside is the price.
It reminds me of Esbit vs Alcohol. Esbit is the best, but it's expensive.
Jun 9, 2013 at 5:08 am #1994828Makes an awesome instant coffee single, packaged just like the via, but includes cream and sugar!! For those of us who partake in such blasephemy, of course…
$2 for 10. Love them!!!
Jun 9, 2013 at 5:22 am #1994831The Trader Joes instant coffee is more cream than coffee – far too weak for me. Go with Via or Via Iced!
Jun 9, 2013 at 5:35 am #1994832Community Instant Dark Roast, repackaged into a flip-top plastic container. It's good coffee, and no extra trash from single-serve packets, just add to hot water in my cook pot.
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:04 am #1994837Via is crap. It's main redeeming feature is that it's not bad cold, and thus good for light and fast and/or no cook trips.
If you're taking the time to make hot coffee do it right and make cowboy coffee. Lots of espresso grounds in cold water, just boil, let sit, tap to settle, pour.
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:26 am #1994841Ah, you're coffee snob, Dave. Via is fine. I buy several 6-packs of Starbucks' Christmas blend when they sell them at half price in early February. That sets me up for the summer, on the cheap. Not quite as tasty as the Italian Via, but affordable.
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:39 am #1994844The best way to cut weight on coffee is to just forgo it. That is my usual approach for the backcountry. It has the benefit that when I get to towns along the way or get back home the coffee tastes so good!
When I do bother with coffee in the back country I take Via and think it is fine. I am normally a Charbucks hater, but think Via is good. Different strokes though.
BTW: For those who like cream in their coffee, Nido powder is a great substitute.
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:45 am #1994846Another vote for Starbucks VIA–better and lighter (IMHO) than all other options I've tried.
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:53 am #1994851Cut weight elsewhere. I've seen the look on other campers faces when they all bought Via, decaf, ugh. I had real grounds and real sugar. Like hungry wolves.
Coffee is too important. Take Dave's advice.
Jun 9, 2013 at 7:00 am #1994853Caffeinolics Anonymous!…kidding.
Jun 9, 2013 at 7:06 am #1994854I use an Aeropress.
8.3 ounces with a metal filter. Excellent coffee with hot, not boiling, water. Less fuel than cowboy coffee. Not a lot different from a traditional press. Better filtration. Much easier to clean.Jun 9, 2013 at 7:55 am #1994865David Chenault > If you're taking the time to make hot coffee do it right and make cowboy coffee. Lots of espresso grounds in cold water, just boil, let sit, tap to settle, pour.
This is pretty much what what you get with the French press. Lacks a strainer but it can be worked around.
When I took coffee, I boiled water used an old yogurt cup to hold a coffee filter and strain. At the time, it didn't occur to me to not use a filter. In the end, I don't take coffee.
I haven't heard of S'bucks VIA. I don't get out much… "Tear open a pack of Starbucks VIA® coffee and you’re halfway to the magical moment that only a great cup of coffee can create."
I suppose I could carry a packet with 1st Aid stuff in case I need to wrench open a pack.
Oh, gosh. I remember Nescafe in school. Trying to mix it with hot water from a tap. Finally licking a little bit of the powder. I wish I hadn't just dredged up that memory…
Jun 9, 2013 at 7:57 am #1994867If you are just looking for caffeine for energy or to avoid caffeine withdraw (headaches), you can use caffeine pills or Crystal Light Energy.
You can get 100 200mg caffeine pills for $6 on Amazon. This is the same amount of caffeine in 16oz of coffee. Keep in mind that most people probably regard caffeine as a diuretic, so you need to drink more water.
Crystal Light Energy packets are the same as Via packets, and weigh 2g each, with 120g of caffeine in them. This automatically helps with the diuretic effects since it's less caffeine, and mixed in with 16oz of water.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:16 am #1994874To get proper coffee you have to grind it just before brewing, so you should bring a grinder too.
I just use "Taster's Choice" freeze dried which is maybe not quite as bad as some other instant coffees.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:20 am #1994875I keep my grounds in a old school lexan Nalgene 4oz screw top jar. No odor gets out. Grounds stay fresh. Ziploc aint gonna work.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:20 am #1994876I'm with Pete. Leave it at home. Go without.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:20 am #1994877Savage.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:22 am #1994878Plastic absorbs odors, you really need a glass jar.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:25 am #1994880No issue with my 20 year old lexan jar. Glass, You're funny.
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:36 am #1994883I find this to be a happy medium between drinking commie via coffee and flossing coffee grounds out of my teeth. Total weight is 1.5 oz.
I use a french press at home (wheech expleens thees reediculous accent oui oui) and find that the quality of coffee to be on par with cowboy coffee…. a french cowboy if you will.
.
In all honesty I do drink freeze dried coffee and I much prefer Trader Joes to Via.
EDIT Ok so my picture quality and size needs some improvement.
Jun 9, 2013 at 9:00 am #1994889I add it (any freeze dried brand) to my granola before I leave home.
I consume coffee for the caffeine. Don't care about the taste.
Jun 9, 2013 at 9:18 am #1994896> You can get 100 200mg caffeine pills for $6 on Amazon. This is the same amount of caffeine in 16oz of coffee.
Each pill provides the same amount of caffeine..?
(The effects of 100×200 would make the paper)
:^)I didn't know about the Crystal stuff.
Still need to get out more. -
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