Trader Joe's Pour-Over Coffee Brewer

Hard to imagine a use for this one. It's expensive, makes weak "coffee" that tastes like plastic and then there's the disposal problem.

I'd tried one of these brew-in-bag systems once before (from a different source) and it too was terrible. So now, a couple of years later, I thought I'd try it again.

Retrospectively, I can't think of why I thought this was a good idea. You pour hot water into the bag and you can make it weak or strong. I chose strong. I waited the recommended time plus a minute or two and then opened the spout and poured my nice fresh strong coffee. Then I tasted it. Then I poured it down the drain.

It was easy. Yes. It was weak, very weak. Since it tasted so terrible that may be a point in its favor. There was almost no coffee flavor but there was a nice chemical hit with a lovely plastic aftertaste. It provided me the energy to get rid of the remainder as quickly as I could.

Was it convenient? Well, it was sort of convenient to make but then what would you do with the leftover bag? The bag is a mix of paper and at least two types of plastic. Landfill seems the only way for it to end its visible life. As I said, I wasn't thinking this through when I bought it.

Who would I recommend this to? Corporate coal and oil lobbyists. Anti-wilderness zealots. The presidents of Russia and Syria. My college philosophy professor, and almost all the politicians running for president. But all others, avoid this one.

Ultra lightweight coffee in the backcountry that tastes better than Starbucks.

Buy at any local Trader Joe's. Pack in as many as you think you'd drink. They're ultralight.

Boil two cups of water your favorite way. The waterproof packets are filled with ground coffee. The container has a built-in filtration system. Open the "ziplock" style top. Slowly add water. The side tells you how much to add—Mild to Strong. Let sit and cool down.

If I'm near water I set mine in a stream for a minute. Break off the spout and enjoy. Once you're done, pack out the trash. I personally cut mine open and let the coffee grinds dry out. Every ounce counts.

If you enjoy a nice dark roast, I think you'll enjoy this simple, light, easy product. It's luxuries like this that make my girlfriend enjoy the backcountry. Especially when I can't notice the weight in my pack! Try it at home before you go out.  

I've tried it and even added two to my bug-out bag. I did not find the taste to be artificial, actually tasted like honest brewed coffee. I was surprised. A good backup for ski houses, etc.

I was pretty impressed. As far as quick on the fly coffee brewing is concerned, I liked it. The coffee tasted pretty good. You have to remove the plastic cap on the plastic pouring spout when you add the hot water.

Be careful, resealing the pouch after the hot water is added can be dodgy.

I have used this twice on camping/backpacking trips. Blah. And blah again below average coffee and lots of waste to carry out. Then there is the little plastic cap that is easy to lose and bad for the environment once you do. Starbucks or any other powdered coffee is better than this.

I have used this twice on camping/backpacking trips. Blah. And blah again below average coffee and lots of waste to carry out. Then there is the little plastic cap that is easy to lose and bad for the environment once you do. Starbucks or any other powdered coffee is better than this.