Can anyone recommend coffee bags?
I got sucked in to an Instagram advert where some bikepacking type had invented Faff coffee bags which looked pretty good, the killer line was that he used to use an Aeropress so thought this guy must know is beans. In fact he may even post on here!
Anyway they seem like good value but my previous experience has not been good.
So can anyone make any recommendations?
TIA
I've had the Taylor's ones and they were disgusting. Weak, stale and left the cup full of sludge. Haven't tried any others but I imagine they're similar.
I almost ordered these to try until I noticed they send them out from Denmark so hardly sustainable or low carbon but interesting idea
I almost ordered these to try until I noticed they send them out from Denmark so hardly sustainable or low carbon but interesting idea
Where do you think coffee itself comes from?
Do they decompose?
It would be easy to make a re-usable one surely? Can't you just refill it with regular ground coffee? The claim that its minimal impact on the environment is absurd!
i use these, better than any i have found in the shops and a high caffeine content, not a silly price either:
https://www.sportsbarista.com/products/coffee-bags
The coffee bags themselves do compost, but not the outer wrapper, although he has said he is working on it.
I haven't tried Faff and even as a marketing guy their advertising is really starting to grate on me. However the guy behind it knows his stuff so I expect it to be decent, set up one of the best specialist coffee shops in Edinburgh. It was then bought out by Union Coffee and he headed up their speciality coffee division or something. Not got much need for it at the moment but definitely going to get some for next camping trip or whenever I'd have used the aeropress.
I'd rather use the Japanese drip bag thingies
I've been using Black Donkeys Devil Roast recently.
Lyons No. 3 for me. Makes a fine morning starter for my bivvy trips.
Where do you think coffee itself comes from?
Pretty sure it's not Denmark
Pretty sure it’s not Denmark
No it's much further. It probably adds close to zero air miles buying those coffee bags from Denmark since the coffee beans have to be imported from equatorial countries anyway...
I don’t mind simple half decent instant coffee. I tried coffee bags and thought they were awful. Make of that what you will.
Second the Taylor’s comment, how on earth they get away with it is beyond me. I bought a strong blend and I reckon if I put the whole boxful in a cup it would still be weak.
Contact coffee are the best Ive tried. Not cheap though, nice quality!
I almost ordered these to try until I noticed they send them out from Denmark so hardly sustainable or low carbon but interesting idea
Denmark's pretty close, so carbon footprint has to be considerably lower than Beef and Lamb from Australia.
Lyons No. 3 for me.
I think I had these, a mate got them and gave me a couple. I'm not<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> after a perfect coffee on the hill, and they were easy and decent.</span>
I use Moreish bags from Amazon.
Great travelling with work and great bikepacking too...
Lovely coffee, compostable too.
A friend and I once tried to make "coffee" using a coffee flavour Gu energy gel and hot water from the tap.
Don't do that.
Can confirm the Taylors ones are rubbish.
As above, go for “drip” bags instead. Much better.
Denmark’s pretty close, so carbon footprint has to be considerably lower than Beef and Lamb from Australia.
Just add your favourite Indonesian or South American coffee and you're winning and saving the environment.
Instant.
Tried coffee bags years ago and was underwhelmed, and not a fan of instant. These days I have a travel cafetière from GSI - not that compact but lightweight, and the insulation is pretty good. I see GSI have a whole page of 'coffee' stuff. I’ve also got a fold flat filter, but it’s difficult to keep that hot on cool mornings, and I think I prefer a cafetière.
I can also confirm that the Taylor's bags are pretty mediocre,I do like the Presto bags
I used to use Lyons bags when I was in jail cos they were handy to shove in my jacket pockets, then Morrison’s stopped selling them & got Taylors in. Not only we’re they quite a bit more expensive they weren’t as good as Lyons. However even Lyons weren’t as strong as I liked (or needed!) so I made sure my cup was hot before I started & left the bag in.
Cons used to come in the office & say, ‘Christ, it smells like Starbucks in here boss!’ 😂
Bagged, coffee, talk of instant, it's a good thing I'm not a mod or the ban hammer would be falling, this is STW there are standards to be upheld dammit!!!
😉
There is a surprising lack of aeropress and knock aergrind mentions in this thread.
I've used these in the past when camping and they were fine:
Not as good as usual home brew methods but perfectly drinkable and a good alternative to the horror that is instant.
GSI Java drip. Makes a perfectly good cup of filter coffee without taking up much space at all.
I just grind some beans before I leave, then I’m sorted. However, I also have the GSI Java Mill which is actually good enough for home use as well. Note I’m not sponsored by GSI - just like their stuff.
There is a surprising lack of aeropress and knock aergrind mentions in this thread.
To be honest they are a pain in the arse, I have used them when travelling, outdoors on rides and hikes and people end up wondering why you've brought a penis pump to the woods and it takes ages compared to instant coffee.
Hehe this is true, I like the aeropress but it is quite faffy and doesn't produce that much coffee.
But then, you're talking to someone who sometimes carries around one of these:
Anyone used the ones from Farrers?
https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/product-category/coffee/?filter_coffee-format=coffee-bags
I have used Lyon's ones for many many years when camping.
I found Lyons decent, but then again it all depends on context. I wouldn't choose them for home use, but if you're on the side of a cold wet hill they certainly do the job. Or if you're in a travelodge and the alternative is a pile of small sachets
Decided to go for a collapsible GSI Java Drip, yes I need to take filter papers but expect that the slower drip through the paper will make for a better brew, and the paper filters are easier to dispose of than tapping out the grouts.
You don't need papers with the Java Drip. Its my go-to on a trip where I'm carrying weight. Otherwise I use the Aeropress like everyone else seems to...
EDIT; yes you do have to dispose of the grains but that's not much of an issue for me.
I went for this Java Drip, which as far as i know does need papers https://gsioutdoors.com/collapsible-javadrip-blue.html
If it doesn't though that makes it more flexible
Think I’ll look online & see if I can find Lyons again. No faff, just heat your cup, Chuck the bag in, fill with not boiling water & leave it in. They weigh nowt & take up hardly any space.
I just use my bodum press cup. Means I have one at start of exped, then a small tub of coffee enough for two per day.
Starter coffee then one made for start of walk, insulation makes it still drinkable at mid morning break.
Used a coffee stick with reasonable results. Must be dose of coffee. The bags make weak coffee probably due to infusion time and water temperature.
I've tried the Percol bags:
https://www.percol.co.uk/coffee-bags/
(Got the intense espresso ones, obvs.)
They're not bad, considering. Have realistic expectations though, after all, travelling very light is the whole point, otherwise I'd take proper kit. For car camping I take a moka pot, though I do also have one of those Wacaco minipresso things, which is a bit mediocre.
I've been using the Percol Americano coffee bags on the last couple of bivvys. They are really very good. A step up from the Lyons.
Also, no plastics.
Been using the gri drip thingy, but I put the mesh inside my mug, and leave coffee to infuse a bit, quick rinse in a burn, happy days.
Thanks for the tip re Percol, we'll check them out!
How do the Percol ones compare to Taylors?
Away in the van at the moment and mostly use an Aeropress but when I want even less hassle I have some Taylors Lava Java Bags, but they’re a bit lacking.
I think it's Percol > Lyons > Taylors.
I always thought coffee bags were under your eyes 😛
I've been using these. Prefer them to the supermarket coffees
