Camp Coffee That Doesn't Suck

[waynemyer]

On a bike camping trip this past weekend, I tried Starbucks Via, their instant brew. Not bad. Not awesome, but consistently good and better than anything I could ever make in camp without carrying a bunch more gear. I like that I don't have to carry any more than I would otherwise (little coffee pouches notwithstanding). I had their Italian Roast Decaf and it was definitely the best camp coffee I ever had.

It also makes a great cold coffee without the wait or need for ice.

[indyfabz]

We take them on 2 or 3 days trips. I usually do not like Starbucks coffee, but Via is not half bad. Does the job for me. For anything longer, we bring a plastic French press mug that you can drink out of and ground La Columbe coffee.

[mucknort]

Starbucks via is pretty decent for touring, but it gets expensive after a while. I've carried plastic french press devices but they usually break. My current travel and home favorite is the Aerobie Coffee Press. Your water doesn't have to be as hot, it is fast, is far easier to clean than a french press, and the coffee is delicious.
http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317160072&sr=8-1

[waynemyer]

Mucknort: agreed about the expense. Thanks for the lead on the Aerobie! Looks perfect for the longer trips I have in mind. I love French press coffee, but I have also broken a couple on the road.

[valygrl]

Plastic cone & paper filters is what I've always done, but I think I'm going to go with the Via for my next trip, as it's soooooo much lighter.

[driftlessregion]

We used to take a French press mug that weighed a full pound. Now we use an old fashioned perculator that serves 3 and weighs only 8 oz. Mmm good old perc coffee.

[staehpj1]

Even at home I usually have my first coffee after I have been up an hour or two, so I roll out of camp with no coffee and stop at a diner for coffee later.  If no diner presents itself I do without.

That said I am intrigued by this Via.  I tend to hate Starbucks coffee the way they prepare it, but find that buying their beans and brewing it at home the coffee is good.  The coffee brewed at Starbucks tastes burnt to me.  Does Via taste burnt like the coffee they serve?

[waynemyer]

The Via doesn't taste burnt to me. It's definitely a deeper roast than some coffees, but I quite like it. And the quality is more consistent than that which is available in some of their stores. The advantage is that you can adjust the water according to your tastes. I find that with the Via, I use about 12 ounces of water, when the instructions call of eight. And I like strong coffee.

The great exception to the "Starbucks tastes awful" is their Clover brewing system. If you really enjoy coffee, you owe it to yourself to try some coffee brewed with a Clover. It's amazingly subtle and nuanced. Comparable to fine wines.

[valygrl]

Hahah, that's funny, i use 2 packets of via for one normal size mug. 
And if I have to wait for more than 10 minutes between getting out of bed and the first cup of coffee, well, let's just say it's a good thing I tour solo!

[bogiesan]

The morning ritual is tempered by convenience, weather, enthusiasm. Carrying apparatus for coffee seems silly but I am an espresso snob. I have a professional machine at home and my espresso is better than most cares in town. I cannot replicated Aton the road so I either ride to a cafe or I have tea or hot chocolate, whichever is easier to craft with the available hardware. OrI'll get my caffeine jones satisfied with a Coke.

[geegee]

There's this, or I imagine you could put wheels on this suitcase and turn it into a trailer, kinda like a Bike Friday:  

[10speed]

One idea I've toyed with, was to get a basic tea infuser and put grounds in it. Let it steep for maybe 5 mins and remove it. http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Mesh-Tea-Ball/dp/B00004RIZ7/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1318357108&sr=1-2

This way you still get the direct contact method of the french press w/o the extra weight and cleanup. But I have yet to try it. I imagine it will work, I just don't know how well. I had some great ideas for a "French No-Press" that would be insanely simple, light and practical for camping, but I can't seem to find anyone making it: My idea is basically a powered-sugar container (with the mesh top) and then one more top would screw on that would look like a tumbler lid. The mesh screen would prevent grounds from entering your mouth, but the brewing process would be identical to a press. Decent idea. No one makes it. I'm probably going to try an in-home test on the tea infuser.

[peterharris]

I do some backpacking, too, and have to have my coffe. I use something that's a little more bulky than the Starbucks Via but if you like regular drip-type cofee, this comes close:

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/cookware/cookware-accessories/mugmate-coffee/tea-filter/product



Be sure to get a fairly coarse grind of coffee. You'll get some sediment in the cup but not too much. Works for tea, too. Nests inside the coffee cup. I like my coffee a little stiff so I let it brew for 4-5 minutes ... it will take some trial and error depending on your tastes and the type and grind of the coffee you use.

[waynemyer]

Hm, I have one of those! I will have to try it for some coffee.

[Galloper]

No kit required.   Boil some water in your pan, chuck in a handful of coffee and bring back to the boil.   Lift off the flame for a few seconds then repeat twice.   Pour into mug, drink and remember to leave the last half inch or so of liquid in the mug unless you like chewing grains    You can also add sugar if required at the first stage.   

This is actually the traditional method of making Turkish coffee although they use a very small copper utensil.