Coffee Roundup & Review
- Mo
- Apr 19, 2020
- 4 min read
Coffee. A simple beverage that is the base for accomplishing so much. Having it on the trail is just a fact of life and today we will cover different options for backcountry pursuits!
At home, I enjoy Counter Culture's range of brews. I would not classify myself as a coffee snob. Rather, an enthusiast! Each day this week I replaced my morning brew with an instant coffee to let you know which ones are worth the money and which to steer clear of. I went about selecting a range of "cottage" coffee companies for my evaluation since we all know what Folgers and Starbucks instants taste like, below average.
CampCraft Coffee
I was drawn to trying Campcraft Coffee for their no nonsense packaging that can easily slip into any food bag.
Cost: $3/1 or $7.5/3 Serving Size: 8oz
Taste Profile: light medium roast that is balanced but on the thin side; no bitterness
Campcraft Coffee really hit it on the nail with small packaging design and no leftover grinds however their taste profile and cost left something to be desired. An expensive 8oz (1C) of coffee and I was already prepping for my next cup before I could even consider tackling the trail.
First Ascent
With 3 flavor offerings and handy small packaging, I was excited to try this coffee!
Cost: $20/8...one was already opened & spilled all over, bummer Serving Size: 8oz
Taste Profile: light medium roast that is well balanced and robust. Great mouth feel!
These handy packets are reminiscent of Starbucks instant coffee but WAY WAY BETTER IN TASTE! I was very happy with the well rounded, robust flavor without any bitterness. Another bonus? The packets are compostable!
Hikers Brew
An exciting 6 flavor options with none being decaf and larger brewing size.
Cost: $16/4
Serving Size: 32 oz/4 Cups
Taste Profile: bold rich flavor but found to be more bitter
While shopping around I didn't realize that Hiker's Brew was not a true instant coffee as it is proper grounds. I decided to keep them in the line up as it's a great option for those who plan to use Aeropress or backpacking pour over devices. Not to mention they plant a tree for each one sold and all packaging is compostable!
The flavor was good but favored a more bitter profile which I don't love. This would be an excellent coffee for those using an Aeropress on the trail or making coffee while car camping. For me, this would not make it on the trail as someone who solo hikes and doesn't love true cowboy coffee.
Steeped Coffee
A tea bag style offering provides a more traditional coffee experience (no dissolving of grounds)! 5 Flavors & 1 Decaf available.
Cost:m $15/10
Serving Size: 8oz
Taste Profile: WOW! Perfectly balanced and not bitterness! I tried the California Blend.
Their slogan is "coffee without compromise. Anytime. Anywhere." Take it from me, this is true! What a fantastically balanced cup of coffee. Utilizing a tea-bag method, real grounds are allowed to steep in the coffee; steep longer for bolder flavors.
You'll have to pack out the wet grounds but they are nicely contained in their biodegradable steeping bag. Plus, their outer package is also compostable! If you're a true weight weenie, pull it out on a sunny lunch break and let them dry!
Kuju Coffee
Coffee snob & enjoy pour overs, consider the Kuju collection as each one is an individual pour over!
Cost: $22/10
Serving Size: 8oz
Taste Profile: I purchased the light roast which was light and floral, slight bitterness
With six different offerings, there is something for everyone who wants to enjoy pour over coffee! I purchased these for 2019 and was using as my only coffee source during that time because I was oh so tired of Folgers and Starbucks. The light roast is not my favorite because of the citrus/floral notes, I prefer a nuttier blend. I'm going to pick up the medium roast next. Overall these create a fantastic cup of coffee in the backcountry, especially if you are slightly a coffee snob. The grounds smell amazing!
Of note, you'll need to pack out the wet grinds which could be slightly annoying since they aren't contained like the Steeped Coffee bags are. For the last year, I was bringing a dedicated ziploc for the coffee grinds since I wanted to use them in the garden at home!
THE VERDICT? Steeped Coffee
Hands down was my favorite brew. Utilizing real grounds and a tea bag style for steeping, you felt at home drinking this well balanced cup in the backcountry. Environmental impact is extremely important to us at ToT and we love the compostable packaging! Steeped Coffee is also easy on the wallet which is always a bonus.
For true 'instant' coffee, First Ascent was a close second. They also feature multiple brew styles and compostable packaging.
What's your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
We are always looking to expand our coffee consumption options
Trails of Thought Review Guarantee:
All reviews are of my own opinion. I am not a product ambassador for any brand nor did I receive free products in return for a review. We do not use affiliate links to generate money and encourage shopping around for those products we have recommended.
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