The Best Instant Coffee for Backpacking
For many outdoor enthusiasts, a good cup of coffee is more than just a luxury itemโit’s an essential part of the backpacking experience. Whether you’re watching the sunrise from your campsite on the Pacific Crest Trail or need a pick-me-up after a long day of hiking, that perfect cup of joe can be a real morale booster. However, brewing coffee in the backcountry presents unique challenges. The days of lugging around a heavy coffee maker or dealing with messy coffee grounds are long gone. Enter instant coffeeโa lightweight, convenient solution that’s come a long way in recent years.
Gone are the days when instant coffee was synonymous with subpar flavor. Today’s instant coffee options cater to everyone from the casual sipper to the most discerning coffee connoisseur. Whether you prefer a light roast, a dark roast, or something in between, there’s a good instant coffee out there for you. From well-known brands you might find in any grocery store to specialty coffee roasters creating small-batch instant blends, the variety is impressive.
This guide will help you navigate the world of instant coffee for backpacking, focusing on quality, convenience, and sustainability. We’ll explore what makes a great instant coffee, how to brew it on the trail, and compare it to other backpacking coffee methods. By the end, you’ll be equipped to choose the best instant coffee for your next outdoor adventure, ensuring you start each day with a well-balanced cup of coffee, no matter how far off the beaten path you’ve wandered.
Understanding Instant Coffee

What is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee is a type of coffee made from brewed coffee beans that have been processed into a powder or granules. When you add hot water, it dissolves quickly, giving you a cup of coffee in seconds. While instant coffee has historically had a bad reputation among coffee purists, modern production methods have greatly improved its quality and taste.
How It’s Made
There are two main methods for producing instant coffee:
- Freeze-drying: Coffee extract is frozen and then broken into small pieces. The frozen water in these pieces is removed through sublimation, leaving behind dehydrated coffee crystals.
- Spray-drying: Coffee extract is sprayed as a fine mist into hot air, causing the water to evaporate. The remaining coffee solids fall to the bottom of the spray tower and are collected.
Advantages for Backpacking
Instant coffee offers several benefits that make it ideal for backpacking:
- Weight: Instant coffee is incredibly lightweight, a crucial factor when every ounce counts in your pack.
- Convenience: With instant coffee, there’s no need for special equipment or time-consuming brewing processes. A single serving packet and a titanium mug are all you need for your morning brew.
- Waste reduction: Instant coffee packets are small and can be easily packed out, aligning with Leave No Trace principles. You can even use a small trash compactor bag to minimize space taken up by used packets.
- Versatility: It can be mixed with hot or cold water, making it suitable for various weather conditions and personal preferences. Whether you’re making a hot cup to start your day or a refreshing iced coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up, instant coffee has you covered.
- Consistency: Unlike traditional brewing methods that can be affected by factors like water temperature and brewing time, instant coffee provides a consistent taste every time.
- Variety: From light roast to dark roast, and even flavored options, there’s an instant coffee to suit every palate. Many specialty coffee roasters now offer high-quality instant versions of their best brews.
By understanding what instant coffee is and how it’s made, you can better appreciate its convenience and suitability for backpacking. In the next section, we’ll dive into the criteria for selecting the best instant coffee for your outdoor adventures.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Instant Coffee for Backpacking
When choosing instant coffee for your backpacking trips, consider the following factors to ensure you get the best brew for your outdoor adventures:
1. Flavor Profile and Quality
The most important aspect of any coffee is its taste. Look for instant coffees that offer a flavor profile you enjoy, whether that’s a bold dark roast coffee, a smooth medium roast, or a bright light roast. Many modern instant coffees can rival the taste of freshly brewed coffee from a coffee shop.
Consider these flavor aspects:
- Roast level: Light, medium, or dark roast
- Flavor notes: Look for descriptions like chocolatey, fruity, nutty, or caramel
- Acidity: Some prefer a more acidic coffee, while others enjoy a smoother, less acidic brew
- Body: This refers to the coffee’s mouthfeel – whether it’s light and tea-like or rich and full-bodied
Remember, taste is subjective. What one coffee connoisseur considers the best coffee might not appeal to everyone. Don’t be afraid to try different brands to find your perfect cup.
2. Packaging and Convenience
Consider how the coffee is packaged:
- Single-serving packets are convenient and help with portion control
- Larger containers might be more cost-effective for longer trips
- Look for packaging that’s durable and waterproof to protect the coffee from moisture
3. Weight and Space Considerations
Every gram counts when you’re carrying your home on your back. Opt for lightweight options that won’t take up much space in your pack. Single-serving packets are often the best option for backpacking, as they’re compact and you can bring exactly the number you need.
4. Environmental Impact
As outdoor enthusiasts, it’s crucial to consider the environmental impact of our choices:
- Look for brands that use sustainable practices
- Consider fair trade options that support ethical farming
- Opt for eco-friendly packaging where possible
- Remember to pack out all your used coffee packets to minimize your impact on the trail
5. Price and Availability
While premium instant coffees can offer superior taste, they often come with a higher price tag. Balance your budget with your taste preferences. Also consider availability – you might prefer a brand you can easily find at your local grocery store for last-minute trip preparations.
6. Ease of Preparation
The best instant coffee for backpacking should be easy to prepare:
- It should dissolve quickly in both hot and cold water
- Ideally, it shouldn’t require any special equipment beyond your camp mug and spoon
7. Caffeine Content
If you’re relying on your morning coffee for an energy boost on the trail, check the caffeine content. Some instant coffees are specifically designed to provide an extra kick for outdoor enthusiasts.
By considering these factors, you can find an instant coffee that not only tastes great but also fits perfectly into your backpacking routine. In the next section, we’ll review some top brands that meet these criteria, helping you find your perfect trail companion.
Sustainable Instant Coffee Brands for the Eco-Conscious Backpacker
As stewards of the outdoors, choosing sustainable instant coffee brands is one way we can reduce our environmental impact while still enjoying a great cup of joe on the trail. Let’s explore some of the best eco-friendly instant coffee options for your next backpacking adventure:
Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee
Company Overview: Mount Hagen, named after the town in Papua New Guinea, has been a pioneer in organic coffee since 1986. They were the first company to produce certified organic instant coffee.
Flavor Profile: Smooth, rich, and full-bodied with low acidity, making it a versatile choice for various palates.
Packaging: Available in convenient single-serve packets ideal for backpacking, as well as 3.53oz glass jars for at-home use.
Environmental Commitment: Mount Hagen focuses on organic farming and fair trade practices. They work directly with smallholder farmers, ensuring sustainable cultivation methods and fair compensation.
Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee
Company Overview: Starbucks, founded in 1971 in Seattle, is the world’s largest coffeehouse chain. They introduced VIA Instant Coffee in 2009 to bring their coffee experience to on-the-go consumers.
Flavor Profile: Smooth and well-balanced, with various flavor options that closely mimic the taste of freshly brewed coffee.
Packaging: Single-serve packets that are lightweight and easy to pack.
Environmental Commitment: Starbucks focuses on ethical sourcing through their Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices program. They’ve also committed to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions, water usage, and waste sent to landfills by 2030.
Alpine Start Instant Coffee
Company Overview: Founded by professional climber Matt Segal in 2016, Alpine Start was born from a desire for better instant coffee in the outdoors. The company name refers to the alpine start mountaineers make for early summit attempts.
Flavor Profile: Smooth and rich, with delightful tasting notes of caramel, chocolate, and Meyer lemon.
Packaging: Available in single-serving packets and a 30-serving reusable jar.
Environmental Commitment: Alpine Start emphasizes low-waste packaging with reusable containers and focuses on high-quality ingredients sourced responsibly. They’re also members of 1% for the Planet.
Waka Instant Coffee
Company Overview: Waka Coffee is a newer player in the instant coffee market, founded in 2018. They specialize in 100% Arabica, freeze-dried instant coffee.
Flavor Profile: Smooth and well-balanced with pleasant citrus undertones.
Packaging: Single-serve packets perfect for on-the-go brewing.
Environmental Commitment: Waka uses recyclable packaging and supports clean water initiatives through their “Add Water, Give Water” program, donating 4% of profits to charity: water. They also emphasize working with farmers who use sustainable growing practices.
Cafรฉdirect
Company Overview: Cafรฉdirect, established in 1991, was the UK’s first Fairtrade coffee company. They work directly with over 600,000 smallholder growers across 14 countries.
Flavor Profile: Rich and full-bodied with dark chocolate overtones, perfect for those who like a robust cup.
Packaging: Available in single-serve packets for backpacking and 100g jars for home use.
Environmental Commitment: Cafรฉdirect invests 50% of its profits back into grower communities. They’re also a certified B Corporation, balancing purpose and profit.
Cafรฉ Altura Organic Instant Coffee
Company Overview: Cafรฉ Altura has been producing organic coffee since 1980, making them one of the pioneers in the organic coffee movement.
Flavor Profile: Known for high-quality beans, though specific taste notes aren’t available.
Packaging: Single-serve packets ideal for travel.
Environmental Commitment: Cafรฉ Altura is committed to organic farming practices and environmental sustainability. They work with cooperatives of small farmers who use traditional, sustainable farming methods.
Kickapoo Coffee
Company Overview: Founded in 2005 in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Kickapoo Coffee (now rebranded as Wonderstate Coffee) is known for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
Flavor Profile: Known for high-quality beans and complex flavors.
Packaging: Single-serve packets suitable for backpacking.
Environmental Commitment: Kickapoo emphasizes sustainable sourcing and supports small-scale farmers. They became the first solar-powered roastery in the United States in 2015.
Swift Coffee
Company Overview: Swift Coffee, founded by Nate Kaiser, specializes in specialty instant coffee. They use a unique freeze-drying process to preserve the nuanced flavors of their single-origin coffees.
Flavor Profile: Varies by origin, but known for complex and nuanced flavors.
Packaging: Available in single-serve packets.
Environmental Commitment: Swift Coffee focuses on ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in their production process. They work directly with farmers to ensure fair compensation and environmentally friendly cultivation methods.
Pura Vida Coffee
Company Overview: Pura Vida Coffee, founded in 1998, operates as a social enterprise. Their mission combines providing high-quality coffee with supporting community development in coffee-growing regions.
Flavor Profile: Known for high-quality beans, though specific taste notes aren’t available.
Packaging: Single-serve packets suitable for backpacking.
Environmental Commitment: Pura Vida emphasizes fair trade practices and supports various community development projects in coffee-growing regions, including education and healthcare initiatives.
Conscious Coffees
Company Overview: Established in 1996 in Boulder, Colorado, Conscious Coffees is dedicated to sustainable and ethical coffee production. They’ve been a certified B Corporation since 2012.
Flavor Profile: Known for high-quality beans, though specific taste notes aren’t available.
Packaging: Single-serve packets suitable for backpacking.
Environmental Commitment: Conscious Coffees focuses on sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. They work directly with farmer cooperatives and prioritize organic and shade-grown coffee.
Conclusion
When choosing your instant coffee for backpacking, consider not just the taste and convenience, but also the environmental impact of your choice. These brands offer a great starting point for finding a sustainable instant coffee that meets your needs on the trail.
Remember, the best coffee for your next backpacking trip is one that not only tastes great but also aligns with your values. Many of these brands are doing great things in terms of sustainability and ethical sourcing. By choosing these options, you’re not just getting your daily coffee fixโyou’re also reducing your carbon footprint and supporting good practices in the coffee industry.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and roasts. What works for one coffee lover might not work for another. Consider conducting your own blind taste test at home before hitting the trail. This can be a fun way to discover your top pick without any preconceived notions about brands or packaging influencing your choice.
Lastly, always remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out your used instant coffee packets and dispose of them properly. Consider using a small trash compactor bag to minimize the space taken up by your waste.
With the right instant coffee in your pack, you’re ready to rise with the sun, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and savor that perfect cup of joe as you prepare for another day of adventure. Here’s to many more mornings fueled by good coffee in the great outdoors!

Hello, fellow nature lovers! I’m Steve Wilde, the owner of TakeOutdoors. My passion for hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures has driven me to cultivate this platform where I can share my experiences and knowledge with you.
My love for the outdoors runs deep, encompassing everything from local day hikes to extended backcountry expeditions. One of my most memorable adventures was a backpacking trip around Puerto Rico, where I immersed myself in the island’s diverse landscapes.