We usually bring in Starbucks Via to the BWCA.

For those of you who drink it, what is your favorite? I've brought in the Italian Roast, but I find it kind of bitter. I know I've tried another kind too, and it was kind of bitter as well....

Anyone have a "flavor" they like that isn't bitter... or another option all together?

If you don't mind it a little on the weaker side- I get Folgers instant regular and decaf at Walmart, cheap and definitely not bitter.

If I could find instant Dunkin Donuts or Hawaiian Kona I'd switch- best coffee ever.

Did you know that the reason why Starbucks is always bitter is because they intentionally burn the beans?

We used to use the Starbucks Via House Blend till we switched over to Nescafe Instant coffee Hazelnut. My wife and I like it a lot better not as bitter. It comes in the same little packets like Via

You might prefer this similar product from Folger's in their Classic Roast

If you really insist that VIA is "bitter" (?), find an Ethiopian coffee to try.

quote SaganagaJoe: "Did you know that the reason why Starbucks is always bitter is because they intentionally burn the beans?"

Interesting. I didn't know they intentionally burn the beans but they definitely tend to over-roast (burn) them to my taste, and it's the reason I refuse to drink Starbucks coffee any more.
My personal favorite is Equal Exchange Midnight Sun.

http://www.bwcoffee.com/bwca.html
get the Mud Slide flavor (Chocolate).
4 tbs (guessing), straight to a pot of water.
Heat to that 1st boiling bubble, and remove.
Use an aero press to filter.
I'll go through the whole pot, then when my buddy wakes up, stumbles out of his tent, and says "where's mine?"

Oh. I just re-read the OP, and maybe this will help:
Stick with the VIA packets but try their Pike Place Roast. Probably a milder flavor profile than their Italian.

I dump sugar into mine. Two packets for 1 via. No more bitter.

I usually put two / three folgers instant packs in the mug and then hot water on top. Stir with a twig - sip and relax.

To be honest its a terrible cup of coffee, but when I have it in the BWCA it feels right.

I agree, I think they really over-roast their coffee. I won't get into what brand(s) I drink at home, or why, but I like Folgers packets in the BWCA. I also like Cafe Bustelo Espresso instant coffee that I get at Target. 6 packets for $0.99. Either way I dump them out of their little tubes and mix the right amount on non-dairy creamer in with it. I even add a packet of hot chocolate for a Cafe Mocha some times. I keep it in a little ziplock bag. Less trash to pack out and less of a chance I'll leave little bits of trash inadvertently in the wilderness.

quote schweady: "Oh. I just re-read the OP, and maybe this will help:
Stick with the VIA packets but try their Pike Place Roast. Probably a milder flavor profile than their Italian.
"

Thanks Scweady, and everyone else! I will try some of these other options too.

Personally I prefer a full city roast with my french press... but until I'm willing to haul in a french press, Via it is.

I wish Caribou Coffee made instant coffee. I'd buy them out of their Reindeer Blend!

quote Hoaf: "

quote SaganagaJoe: "Did you know that the reason why Starbucks is always bitter is because they intentionally burn the beans?"

Interesting. I didn't know they intentionally burn the beans but they definitely tend to over-roast (burn) them to my taste, and it's the reason I refuse to drink Starbucks coffee any more.
My personal favorite is Equal Exchange Midnight Sun."

They want consistency in the taste.

I'm not a coffee drinker but when I was a kid I got to go to Canada with a couple of my Uncles who always put a very large "glurp" of whiskey into that nightly pot of coffee to "get rid of the bitterness" anyways that what they told me. FRED

Like others here, I also take instant coffee when paddling or hiking, but have to say that the Via and Medaglia D'Oro that I usually take are just OK. Sure would like to find an instant that really tastes like a good cup of brewed coffee or, if I really want to dream, a good espresso.

I tried instant but settled on bringing a gsi French press. I grind a good French roast before the trip. Coffee is a luxury I like to have.

Double post

I like the via pikes place mixed about half strength.

BasecampMom,

I picked up some Caribou Medium Roast yesterday and brewed some up this morning. I like it. Not bitter. Thanks for the recommendation.

quote TomT: "Coffee is a luxury I like to have.
"

+1
I grind fresh beans prior and bring a
Collapsible silicone Java drip . There is nothing more peaceful for me than the smell of my coffee brewing and watching the wilderness come to life.

Wow all this talk about Starbucks being bitter. Starbucks serves 40 million customers per week and sells over four billion coffees a year. Someone must like it. Anyway I have not thought is was bitter at all.

quote vickieh69: "

quote TomT: "Coffee is a luxury I like to have.
"

+1
I grind fresh beans prior and bring a
Collapsible silicone Java drip . There is nothing more peaceful for me than the smell of my coffee brewing and watching the wilderness come to life. "

I think I'm going to try this! I like that it collapses, and I agree - for me as well - nothing is better than the idea of swinging in my hammock in the morning, watching the fog on the lake while sipping some joe. Personally I like my coffee black - or with half and half - but I'm not hauling in half and half... so a good coffee I can drink black is right up my alley!

What kind of grind are you using? Coarse or fine?

Might pair well with this sucker! My friend has this and I thought it worked really well on our last trip together.

I use a fine (espresso grind) since it's a straight pour over (no aerator).

Not sure what that"sucker" is.

quote vickieh69: "I use a fine (espresso grind) since it's a straight pour over (no aerator).


Not sure what that"sucker" is. "

Its a tea kettle

quote vickieh69: "I use a fine (espresso grind) since it's a straight pour over (no aerator).


Not sure what that"sucker" is. "

I recall you sharing a spot of that good stuff on good ol' finger lake a few years back.

Sorry to go off track...

Folgers isn't coffee.

Starbucks is only popular because it's convenient and hipsters. It's only mediocre for coffee.

Cowboy coffee is where it's at. Portion out fresh ground coffee before the trip (Eight O'clock bean because I'm cheap). Fill a pot with lake water and bring to boil. Kill heat. Pour in said grounds and let steep for oh, 5 minutes. Trickle in a little filtered cool water and tap side of pot to settle the grounds. Decant hot coffee and enjoy.

Sure, you'll chew on some grounds from time to time but no extra gear required.

And drink it black, like my heart ;-)

Hex

Dunkin Donuts now sells their grounds in grocery stores. I bought a bag of the chocolate cake doughnut flavor a while back at Kroger and it's glorious. It's not sweet, but has a nice choco aroma. Their regular coffee is great, too.

I've never taken coffee camping. But if I did, I'd get a small French press.

I was at Trader Joes today and saw this in the coffee area - looks really interesting. I didn't pick it up today, but definitely plan on giving it a whirl. Kills two birds with one stone perhaps? (like the other post about creamer)....

quote BasecampMom: "I was at Trader Joes today and saw this in the coffee area..."

TJ doesn't have black coffee packets (as coffee was meant to be)? A quick search didn't turn up any.

My favorite 'shop' coffee is AT Dunkin Donuts. When I perk it at home it is just not the same. Once in awhile I grind Starbucks Cafe Verona and splurge.
But my everyday joe is Chock-Full-O-Nuts. That's what I perk when tripping/basecamping. An assortment of single-serving coffee 'teabags' are packed too. Via,Folgers, dollar store,.......none stack up to perked or cowboy style IMO. Bulky; but we base alot and a few leftover grounds are sprinkled in the 'Bait Canteen' to crank up the night crawlers! :). oth

quote Hoaf: "

quote SaganagaJoe: "Did you know that the reason why Starbucks is always bitter is because they intentionally burn the beans?"

Interesting. I didn't know they intentionally burn the beans but they definitely tend to over-roast (burn) them to my taste, and it's the reason I refuse to drink Starbucks coffee any more."

Agree with these guys. I've roasted my own coffee weekly at home for 6 years now and man, is there a difference between a fresh, city roast and an old, burnt vienna roast. Coffee can have hundreds of flavors that comes with growing terroir- like wine- but they fade to blah about 2 weeks after roasting. The mass-market that starbucks caters to wants coffee to taste bold and roasty- so they keep it on the dark and oily side because the smoky, acrid flavors will last until the coffee is consumed. If polled, most people say they prefer a dark roast of coffee- they don't know it, but they probably mean they prefer a bold cup of coffee. Someone mentioned Ethiopian- a fresh medium-roasted Yirgacheffe will knock your socks off with bright floral and citrus flavors without being grassy.

TO the OP: I agree and for lightweight trips, only buy the light roast or medium via packets. They had one 'veranda blend' for a while that was light and flavorful.