The Magic of a Cup of Coffee

Nothing is better in the chill of the early morning on a camping trip than the sweet, sweet taste of a cup of coffee. This year I tried out a few different ways of making coffee. Today let’s dive into four ways to brew a cup of joe on the trail and go over their pros and cons.

Instant Coffee

Starting off with an old standby, instant coffee is the most basic way to create a hot cup of happiness.

Pros:

• Lightweight. This is the lightest option when it comes to brewing coffee in the woods.
• Secondly, nothing extra is needed to brew instant coffee! The packet, the stove to boil water and coffee cup already packed is everything needed to enjoy a warm cup.
• Thirdly, the price point is a huge win. Instant coffee can be found anywhere from 10 cents to one dollar per cup. A fraction of what your coffee shop addiction costs.
• Finally, taste. While a lot of common instant brands really lack in flavor, there are new flavors and brands coming out all the time. Currently, you can find instant coffees that even have the creamer mixed in, saving you weight again.

Cons:

Although there are quite a few pros when it comes to instant coffee, there are drawbacks as well.

• The main con with instant coffee is packing out the packets it comes in. Keeping track of those tiny packets can be difficult, but is very important when practicing leave no trace.
• In contrast, while the taste is a pro it can certainly be a con as well. You need to try out a few brands to find one that suits your pallet, otherwise, you may end up with a chalky cup of coffee you need to choke down instead of enjoying.

Portable Kcup Brewer

Ohuhu makes the pour-over, manual kcup brewer that I use. This particular brewing system came with two reusable kcup pods which are fantastic for reducing waste!

Pros:

• First off, the price is the real winner with this one. It is a one time purchase for the setup and under $20. Another great thing with the price aspect is that since the kcups included are reusable, you can buy bulk grounds of your favorite coffee and divvy it out among trips and home.
• Secondly, reusable kcups are awesome! This system comes with two, so you can have one ready to go while brewing the other. It also significantly cuts down on waste, since you aren’t collecting a bunch of plastic kcups to carry out with you. Having the grounds in the kcups makes them easier to pack out as well.
• Taste is also a huge winner with this system. Since you can fill the reusable kcups with the coffee of your choice, you really can’t go wrong here with the flavor – since it can be your absolute favorite coffee.

Cons:

While this system focuses on flavor and reducing waste, it comes with a con of its own:

• This system is not multi-purpose, so it adds extra weight to your pack. It can be hard to find room to add a gadget that takes up important space for water bottles and cook kits.

Portable Coffee Grinder and Pour Over

This coffee system by Meetwin is a great option that packs a ton of flavor!

Pros:

• First of all, this system has a built-in grinder for the freshest coffee you can experience on the trail.
• Because it has a built-in grinder, you can buy your favorite beans in bulk the best tasting cup of coffee.
• Price also becomes a factor when you look at buying in bulk. It will also save you money since you can use your beans both at home and on the trail.

With this one there are a few more cons to weigh out.

Cons:

• This coffee system, while portable is heavy. All the components including the built-in grinder bring this system to a little over a pound.
• Secondly, this is not a multipurpose system so it takes up valuable room in your pack.
• Finally, carrying out waste is a little trickier with this system, because you grind the beans into the pour-over cup and they get compacted by the water.

GSI Java Press

The last option we will be discussing is this nifty multipurpose system from GSI.

Pros:

• Ease of use is definitely a huge win for this system, essentially it is a french press. Pour the coffee grounds in the main bottle, hot water goes over the grounds, then place the screen back in the bottle and press down.
• Again, since it is coffee grounds, find your favorite and buy in bulk. This makes for a delicious cup of coffee every time.
• Thirdly, it is easy to get the grounds out of the bottle so you can practice leave no trace and carry out with ease.
• Finally, the best part of the GSI java press system is that it is multi-purpose. While it makes a wonderful cup of coffee, you can use it as a good old water bottle thanks to the sealable lid. This helps justify bringing a coffee gadget and the room it takes up in your pack.

While this is a wonderful option space and taste-wise, it too has its cons.

Cons:

• The price point on this system could definitely be a con to some, coming in at around $20.
• You need to be quick at drinking your coffee. Since this system is a french press and the coffee stays in the bottle, it continues to brew until you are done drinking it. This can cause the coffee to become a little bitter or overpowering if not consumed fast enough.

Which System Makes the Best Cup of Coffee?

All four of these systems are great and have their place in the camping world. The portable coffee grinder is great for groups, to really treat your friends to a specialized cup of coffee. While the portable kcup is great for when you are looking for special flavors to entertain your pallet. I usually go back and forth between good old instant (hey, it’s easy!) and the GSI Java Press. The Java press is definitely my go-to, the weight is easily justified with it being a multipurpose system and you really can’t beat the flavor it creates.

Let me know in the comments down below if you crave that deliciously warm cup of coffee during the chill of the perfect morning? There’s just something about that cup of coffee that makes the morning magic after the perfect night’s sleep while camping. And if you are a coffee junkie like me – how do you make your perfect cup on the trail?