I’m a “must-have” morning coffee person. Tea doesn’t cut it. Nor does hot chocolate or anything herbal – it’s gotta be strong black java laced with milk. No sugar, no sugar substitute, just coffee and milk, not cream. Pretty particular, huh? Just try and mess with my morning ritual and see what happens!

So what does a java junkie like me do in the backcountry? Instant coffee isn’t up for consideration. I’ve tried coffee in tea bags (yuck!) wherever squeezing the last drop from two bags doesn’t begin to create anything resembling a cup of coffee. I’ve tried bringing ground coffee and filters (but hate having to carry out the extra garbage). I’ve tried filterless coffee filter cups – too slow. I’ve even tried French press-style coffee in a built in press/coffee cup – tastes too strong and there’s the coffee grounds to dispose of again. But after years of trial and error, I think I’ve found the answer.

Last spring we were hiking in the Grand Staircase National Monument and stopped in Escalante to pick up a few supplies. While in one of local outfitting stores, I happened up a thin plastic package filled with liquid and marked boldly as “Java Juice.” Turning over the packet, I read the fact that it was a 100% shade-grown, organic, kosher coffee extract, just add water. Hmmm.

I couldn’t resist; picked up three packets and headed off to camp. Next morning, I gave it a whirl. Rip, pour, add boiling water and ahhhh – ambrosia. The instructions say to mix with 10 to 12 ounces of water. I went for the upper end and was glad I did. It was a big, bold cup of flavourful coffee.

Now the packets weren’t cheap (I squirreled away the remaining two and took them on another backpacking trip as a treat), somewhere just under $2.00 each in this little town store, but the coffee was good – really good. My only problem is that now I want more and I can’t find it at my local outdoor stores.

This portable coffee extract has only been on the market for just over a year, so I’m sure it’ll get here – eventually. In the meantime, checking the web, I was thrilled to see that it’s available online. Without a doubt, I will be buying more.

Gotta run, coffee’s getting cold!