New to me coffee option

@Adam

It would be interesting to check the fine print for the contents: just ‘ground coffee’, or maybe ‘ground coffee and soluble coffee’? The latter means the contents are mainly Instant Coffee but with some decorative grounds. I found that on one local ‘coffee bag’.

What’s the packaging? ALL cardboard, or are there plastics as well? I don’t mind the cardboard much, although it does add to the cost.

Cheers

Hello @rcaffin sorry for the delayed response.  Inside the box are individually wrapped (in mylar?) “pouches” made from cardboard and filter paper.  You spread the unit over the top of your cup, rip off the top of the pouch to expose the ground coffee and slowly pour over the water.  I apologize I had a picture of the product, but must have deleted it.  Next time I brew one I’ll snap a pic and post.

To be honest I’m wondering if you couldn’t remove the cardboard and just use the pouch like a big teabag and let it steep.  I guess that wouldn’t be a trendy as a pour over, and might result in a less tasty finished product?  It would be less messy that’s for sure.

individually wrapped (in mylar?) “pouches”
Packaging, more packaging. I am biased there.

I have a stainless steel mesh ‘bucket’ I made, which fits in/on my cup. I put coffee grounds in it and pour boiling water over. Quite similar to the Gevalia product in some ways, but no packaging. The SS bucket has lasted me for at least 20 years so far.

Thanks anyhow.
Cheers

I knew about Greek and Turkish coffee. But then found Israeli Mud (‘Botz’) coffee. Uses the same Greek/Turkish finely ground coffee, but way simpler preparation.

Add 1 teaspoon or 2 teaspoons Israeli coffee. Pour in hot water. Stir. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes. The grounds settle to the bottom. Drink and enjoy.  The name ‘mud coffee’ is a description of the coffee grounds. They look like mud in the bottom of the cup.

As simple as instant coffee, no extra items needed, but better flavour. This is the winner for me.

For a few nights backpacking, I really like Mount Hagen’s instant. To me, it tastes much better than VIA. I haven’t tried any other instants.

If you are preparing real coffee, it doesn’t get any simpler than cowboy coffee:  Cup, coffee grounds, hot water.   Sort of the coffee version of beer under the German Beer Law of 1516:  Barley, hops, water.

Nothing like some chocolate perpeteum with a heavy scoop of Medaglia D’Oro as I start hiking in the morning.

I don’t backpack in the snow. If I did I might want a hot cup of coffee.

“Nothing like some chocolate perpeteum with a heavy scoop of Medaglia D’Oro as I start hiking in the morning.”

Now THAT is an excellent idea!  No cook hikers who need their morning jolt listen up.

Another cold caffeine favorite is this instant chai latte mix + Meddaglia D’Oro for a dirty chai. This works with Perpeteum as well.

I hear you @rcaffin.  I may resort to my MSR mugmate and use it in a similar fashion as what you described.  I you look at my picture posted above you can get a descent idea of the product.  Sorry it is posted sideways, but you can see there isn’t much to it.  They’re fairly compact and simple and biodegradable.  I don’t get out all that often, so I’m not generating a lot of extra trash when I do use them.  That said I do like to keep things simple.

I’ve not used the Perpeteum product mentioned above or any other performance type products.  It might be worth a try on hikes as well as some recovery drinks like Endurox R4 at the end of a hard day or something similar. I’m sure in hot weather some quality electrolytes would be a great benefit as part of the recovery routine.

@matthewkphx

Matthew, could you share with us how much of the Meddaglia D’Oro + Chai / Meddaglia D’Oro + chocolate perpetuem you make or serving size suggestions.  I’m not familiar with  perpetuem–just curious if you have some details on your drinks.  P.S. the Chai link did not work; can you let me know the brand?

-Michael

From the link, it seems he uses Jaipur Avenue chai mix.

Whoops. I messed up that link. Thanks, Doug.

Michael, I use maybe a heaping tablespoon of Chai to a half tablespoon of instant espresso, depending on my mood and how much I of that vibrating anxiety feeling I want on a particular morning.

I drink Perpeteum at a rate of about one scoop per hour when I’m planning a day of challenging hiking. I’ll mix up a bottle with a couple scoops and a good 1/2+ tablespoon of espresso.

Really I just do these by eye and mood.

One of the features I like most about instant coffee is no used grounds to carry around. Its like carrying food you cooked but didn’t eat. Hurts my soul.
i should add that I have been known to put instant coffee into my morning oatmeal. So I’m prolly not a good person to listen to.