coffee and bear canisters

[hiker97]

Say, here's a good off-peak season topic where I'd like to solicit opinions and tips. For those who enjoy a good cup or two of coffee in the backcountry, what is your preferred method of transport? I ask because I'm determined to make improvements. On my last 4-day trip, I brought along the coffee grounds (French Roast) for all 5 of us on the trip. I double-bagged the coffee grounds in heavy duty ziploc storage bags, but found that everything with mild flavor in my same bear canister took on a coffee flavor. That may have been fine for some sweeter snacks, but was not pleasant for the flour tortillas that I just couldn't stomach on the 3rd day. Maybe the best option is to just consolidate all of the more aromatic stuff together and share space. Or I'm considering perhaps something more robust like a cleaned out plastic peanut butter jar to use for transport. Or just ditch any plain food that could absorb the scent of the coffee grounds and don't worry about it. Any thoughts from another coffee addicts?

[balzaccom]

Don't the people who make the URSack also make an "aroma proof" bag? I am afraid that I may not have the perfect approach to this one, because I don't drink coffee, but it would seem that some foil is also necessary...



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[AlmostThere]

The vacuum seal bags that come with the Foodsaver are nylon lined with polyethylene, and contain odors very well. I use one of the rolls and custom seal a small packet of fresh ground coffee for each morning. The rest of the can contents remain untainted.

Another decent alternative would be the Starbucks VIA - it's just finely ground coffee, not instant freeze dried, and quite good, if expensive.

[Wickett]

In my experience there are two things I have never seen a bear touch, tobacco and coffee. Has anyone ever heard of a bear getting into coffee? I leave my tobacco out and have seen a bear sniff it, sneeze, then walk off. I heard a similar story about coffee.

[dan]

My wife leaves coffee out all the time and the bears never touch it. Everything else goes in the bear canister.

[hiker97]

Great suggestions - thanks

[mikecain3]

I had the same problem with my coffee grounds leaving a taste on the other food in the bear can. Now I air the coffee in the open for a few days before leaving. Then I double bag it and everything is fine.

[hiker97]

Did your coffee lose much flavor due to airing it out? Sounds like a great idea although sort of counterintuitive for coffee drinkers. I guess even if you lose some flavor on the coffee, it more than makes up for it by not having the rest of your camp food have that flavor!

[AlmostThere]

Heck, if you're going to dry out your coffee you may as well pack instant.



Coffee snob? Why, shore I am.

[mikecain3]

Yes, the drying out probably takes away some flavor. But I don't notice it. I admit it. I'm a coffee snob. Instant doesn't cut it. I have tried many different coffees and brewing processes. The one I like the best is a paper cone filter with a small plastic holder that sits over your cup. Clean up is simple and the brew is excellent. Before airing out the grounds I used to carry them separate in an outside pouch. At night I would just set them off to the side of the bear cans and nothing ever happened.