Backcountry Barista: Instant Coffee Review
I feel that I should start by saying that I am in no way a coffee snob, connoisseur, or aficionado. I merely enjoy a cup or two of coffee to start my day -- the quicker, the better. I think that it must have all started from my time spent in New Zealand, “havin’ a cuppa’” with my work and housemates. This tradition of taking a small amount of time each morning to boil water and add a spoonful of instant coffee to gain immediate caffeine gratification took hold and continues in my life to this day. During my time thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, it became a familiar part of my morning routine, a refreshing pause prior to packing up camp and hitting the trail for the day. While we’re all familiar with the standbys -- Starbucks Via, Nescafe, Folgers, etc. -- in this article, I’ll explore a few new instant coffee options that market specifically to the outdoors community, with one mass-market option thrown in for completeness.
The following reviews are my personal opinions, which I formed while sampling the coffees before going on day hikes, overnight truck camping trips, and road trips.
CS Coffee
About the Company: CS Coffee emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the environment. Their products come in compostable packing, they are members of the 1% For The Planet program, and they offset their carbon footprint via a partnership with Forterra. CS Coffee also maintains a connection with the outdoor and adventure travel community, as can be seen on their Instagram account, and with brand ambassadors such as Heather “Anish” Anderson. Their commitment to environmental sustainability is complemented by various social responsibility programs, as indicated on their website, with a job training program for people with intellectual disabilities at their New York packaging facility, women in executive leadership roles, and support for female athletes and adventurers.
About the Coffee: This coffee makes a great first impression with attractive packaging, though it is a bit large. It has a beautiful excerpt from a poem by Robert Frost on the back, and it says it is 100% compostable. It does suggest mixing with 16-20 ounces of hot water, which is roughly twice the serving size found in other instant coffee packets.
About the Flavor: I found this coffee to be a bit acidic off the start, but not as bitter as Starbucks Via. I did mix it with 16 ounces of hot water, so using additional water may be advisable. Overall I found it to be strong and enjoyable to drink.
Price: This is the most expensive option, with six packets going for $19 (shipping included) at the time of this writing but the company quite often offers 50% off on their site. Compared with other products reviewed in this article, however, each pack of CS brews a larger cup.
How to Purchase: Through the company’s website at csinstant.coffee.
Alpine Start
About the Company: Based in Boulder, Colorado, Alpine Start was created by a professional rock climber with twenty years of climbing experience. They are a member of 1% For The Planet, as well as Protect Our Winters, a coalition of athletes, scientists, and creatives that advocate for action against climate change. As part of their effort to reduce packaging waste, Alpine Start also offers a 30-serving option in a reusable container.
About the Coffee: Alpine Start uses Arabica beans from high-altitude Columbian farms. The conveniently compact packaging is similar to Cafe’ Bustelo and Folgers, which I find preferable when going on a multi-day hike. It is easy to open, and the coffee pours without any issue.
About the Flavor: I usually use two packets for this size coffee, but I tried using just one, and surprisingly, it tasted as strong as using two of the other store-bought brands. It had a distinct smoky flavor, which I enjoyed, unlike the burnt flavor of Starbucks Via.
Price: Eight servings for $9, at the time of this writing.
How to Purchase: Click here to purchase on Amazon. Also available at AlpineStartFoods.com and retailers across the US.
Campcraft
About the Company: Campcraft Coffee was started by a backpacker who was dissatisfied with the instant coffee that he was able to find. After sampling fifty different varieties, he decided to start his own, with a greater emphasis on quality.
About the Coffee: The packaging is, in my opinion, the perfect size -- roughly half the size of a serving of CS coffee. It fits nicely in a Ziploc bag with sugar packets (if that’s your thing), it flows out of the container smoothly, and it doesn’t stick to the sides of the package or mug like many other instant coffees.
About the Flavor: This is the most easily drinkable coffee of the bunch, but in fairness, I like a rather weak coffee. I won’t use terms like “complex flavor profiles,” but I will say that this coffee didn’t have any bitter or acidic taste, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Price: Seven servings for $16 plus shipping, at the time of this writing.
How to Purchase: Purchase online at campcraft.coffee.
Cafe’ Bustelo
About the Company: In contrast to the other coffee makers in this review, Cafe Bustelo is part of a large corporation, namely J.M. Smucker -- the same company that makes the jelly and jam. J.M. Smucker lists on its website various efforts to address environmental sustainability via waste reduction, third party certification of responsible water use, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
About the Coffee: Cafe Bustelo’s marketing information does not indicate the type of beans used. The packaging is very similar in design to the Alpine Start brand, which makes it easily portable and lightweight to pack out of the backcountry.
About the Flavor: This coffee has a rather strong flavor, greater than Folgers, but lesser than Starbucks Via. I usually use two packages per 12-16 ounces of hot water, which seems to weaken it to my liking. There’s not much more I can say, other than this coffee is cheap and conveniently available at most supermarkets.
Price: 72 for $12 (that’s not a typo!)
How to Purchase: Available on Amazon and at retailers everywhere.
Conclusion
All of these coffees have their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately which coffee you prefer is a very personal decision. I understand that this topic is hotly debated amongst coffee shop fiends, everyday users, and casual coffee drinkers alike. The options range from those who will hike a french press into the wilderness to have their perfect “cup of Joe,” to lazy coffee drinkers like me who want their coffee as quickly and conveniently as possible. These decisions are for you, the reader, to make. I merely offer up my meek palate and years of drinking cheap instant coffee to judge this lot of fantastic options.
Overall I really enjoyed the flavors of all these coffees, but the Campcraft instant was my favorite. If time and money are no factor in choosing a coffee to take into the backcountry, Campcraft would be my choice. If time and money are the limiting factors, I’m going with my tried and true Cafe’ Bustelo.
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