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Backpacker Magazine – May 2008
Better to the Last Drop
A hiker cannot live on water alone. Next time out, try these coffee, tea, and wine updgrades.
COFFEE
Status quo Instant coffee: high on convenience, low on taste
Upgrade Fresh beans and trail-friendly grinders and presses
Fresh Purists pack whole beans and a portable hand grinder like the 11-ounce GSI JavaGRIND (above, $20, gsioutdoors.com). The rest of us will be satisfied with a bag of our favorite fresh-ground beans. To brew, pack a dedicated Lexan French press like the JavaPress (below, $25, gsioutdoors.com), or convert a 32-ounce wide-mouth Lexan water bottle by inserting the flexible Press-Bot ($20, press-bot.com).
Quick Add boiling water to preground filter packets like MUD Gourmet Coffee ($1.50, harvestfoodworks.com) or Java Juice liquid extract ($1, javajuiceextract.com). The latter also works with cold water for iced coffee. These are fast and light, but don't match the flavor of fresh-ground.
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READERS COMMENTS
I use a Merlitta One Cup cone. Not as compact as an H2Joe, but still lightweight (~1oz) and makes great coffee. And alot more lightweight than a dedicated french press.
https://shop.melitta.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=64+0008&Cat=
Posted: Aug 11, 2008 flemdawg1
This is a better site: http://www.ineedcoffee.com/04/vietnamese/
You can definitely skip the condensed milk.
Posted: Jul 30, 2008 Daniel
The BEST (that I use): Vietnamese coffee makers. The very lightweight slow-drip systems are the best. They make very strong coffee and are easy to carry. http://www.quickspice.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/cookwarecoffeemaker.shtml?E+scstore. Plus they only cost $2 - $5
Posted: Jul 30, 2008 Daniel
I agree with the cone filter method and have used it for years. I have a java press but it takes a fair amount of cleaning each time and water. I use unbleached paper filters, small ground coffee sealed packs and I save and dry the old filter and coffee and burn them to keep away insects at night. A small oatmeal lid fits on the filter that allows me to pack the filters and coffee inside the cone. It is one of those treats that goes along way in making a sunrise/sunset perfect.
Posted: Jul 18, 2008 Ron in Iowa
I find the best overall solution is to use a cup-at=a=time cone with small cone-shaped filters. The cone is made out of plastic, so it's ultra-lightweight and won't break like a glass press might. Pour water that's just below the boiling point onto grounds that you put in the filter, and the coffee filters through the cone right into your cup.
Posted: Jun 20, 2008 Matt in Tempe
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