I Tried 6 Instant Coffees for Camping - here's the best one (INSTANT COFFEE TASTE TEST)

Instant coffee is a convenient way to get your caffeine fix on the go, so I wanted to test the most common easy-to-find instant coffee for all your camping trips and road trips. This instant coffee tasting was so much fun, and the results really surprised me...
► Want to try this instant coffee review yourself?
These are the coffees I tried.
Starbuck Via Instant: amzn.to/3mtAlQk
Folgers Classic Roast: amzn.to/3s4acc0
Mount Hagen Instant Coffee: amzn.to/3sYRCDj
Nescafe Tasters Choice: amzn.to/31VC8Ei
Alpine Start: amzn.to/3msDHTF
Cafe Bustelo*: amzn.to/39QhzND
*I'm not sure why the online price of this one is so high. I bought it at my local grocery store for about $1.
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Amanda Outside: Sharing camping and hiking tips and food ideas so you can get outside more... and eat great food while you're at it!

[@amanda.outside]

This was so much fun!! Have you tried any of these instant coffees? Comment below with your reviews 🤗

[@YNOTRC]

Love this vid my wife and I watch ya often we too have tried all these over the past few years and found the bustello my fav of you're list and the Shug Emery recommended Medaglia Doro instant espresso to be the all time fav now.

[@roselee_explores]

I've been using the Alpine Start both their Dirty Chai and Coffee (+Creamer) ones on backpacking trips. I liked them because they blend up really well in cold water and I can just shake it up and sip as I'm hiking down the trail :) I'll have to try some of the others and see how they do.

[@robaldridge6505]

Cafe Bustelo AND starbucks are in my food box all the time

[@dbf_91]

You should check out Turkish coffee! You'll forget about filter issue that you've mentioned. I have a video on how to make it on my channel. Would love to hear your opinion about it

[@ChrisJohnsonCJs-Kitchen]

I just bought the Cafe Bustello for the first time, but haven't tried it yet. I use instant coffee during the week when I'm the only one having coffee since I normally only have a single cup, it's just not worth it to make a whole pot. I'm hopeful now.

[@acm5739]

If anyone has an Indian/International store handy, my absolute favorite Instant coffee is called "Bru," which is very popular in India. Super cheap, and sort of has a touch of hazelnut aftertaste to it, which I like a lot. Comes in a big glass jar, so for backpacking I just toss a few scoops into a stasher bag.

[@justinkeeling4858]

Bustelo is a must on our trips! A surprisingly good coffee. Thanks for trying it!

[@amanda.outside]

It really surprised me! I even had another cup of it later in the day haha

[@celestemetts7614]

Café Bustelo is my FAVOrItE!!!! Coffee for camping!!!! And I drink it so much I’ve started drinking it at home too!!! I screamed when you liked it!!!! So glad you liked it too!!!

[@rachelspurlock2423]

Cafe Bustelo is our fav of the ones we have tried.

[@amanda.outside]

I agree! It was so good!

[@katieweiher]

Mount Hagen is my favorite too. They make a decaf as well and it can be bought in jars (instead of single serve sticks).

[@amanda.outside]

I was so surprised how good it was, especially for an instant coffee!

[@searchingforsquatchy3862]

We were rooting for you to like Café Bustelo the best! We've never tried their instant coffee but their espresso grounds are good :)

[@ritzafrancois4863]

I grew up on Cafe Bustelo as a kid with my parents. However, mount Hagen has been a game changer for the quick coffee experience. Highly recommend for camping. Super delicious and bold!

[@chrys2953]

I love Café Bustelo, and I can usually find the instant “sticks” at Dollar Tree!

[@vernonprevatt-usmc]

Bustelo is the go to when there is nothing else to go to. Editing this - I frequently travel and on the occasions where the hotel coffee is "swill", I dip into the assortment of Cafe Bustelo and Starbucks Via that I always have with me. Both are good but I prefer the Bustelo for taste and price.

[@mandyinseattle]

I've never heard of it but I'm gonna get some.

[@amanda.outside]

That's a good tip! I found it at my local grocery store for about $1, but online it's so much more expensive. I'm not sure why.

[@jpwhataboutit]

@@vernonprevatt-usmc Guessing this isn't a compliment for Bustelo.

[@vernonprevatt-usmc]

@@jpwhataboutit sorry, it absolutely is (if I have to have instant.)

[@susandavis5749]

The Medaglia D’oro instant espresso is great! I like to add a spoonful to my cup along with the instant packet I’m using and it makes the flavor much better!

[@ashleyshields2268]

This is incredibly important content. ❤🤎☕🏕

[@amanda.outside]

😂 someones got to do it

[@caitlynbiel6013]

omg, I'm so early! I'm getting ready for a backpacking trip through Northern California and your videos are giving me life! Thanks for all your help!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!! I hope you have an awesome trip. Northern California is so beautiful!

[@laurapodergois2802]

I love Cafe Bustello. I think it’s essentially their espresso blend put in a single serve and ground just slightly finer. I keep them at work for an afternoon burst in those long days.

[@sallymulcare5254]

Bustelo is often used around here in Tampa Bay when making Cafe con Leche!

[@lightwalker4558]

Nice review. I bought the french press for my jetboil because the worst fresh ground coffee is better than the best instant coffee IMO.

[@Julie-ly8tg]

Agree with 100%!!!

[@MichelleCTorresGrant]

I've had the Starbucks, which was low on the "OK" rating. As I recall (it was last year), it tasted a little burnt. On my last camping trip I brought Mt. Hagen, which I purchased at Whole Foods. I was pleasantly surprised on how good and full flavored it was. If I didn't know and someone just handed me a cup I wouldn't have guessed it was instant coffee.

[@hammondhikes7784]

I really like Trader Joe’s..their sticks have the cream and sugar added already, so no need to take those extras along

[@laurabeth8616]

My favorite!!!

[@jenfate1869]

The best!

[@susiehulcher1494]

Mt Hagen gets my vote for taste and all the other features. Organic, fair trade, packed in glass.

[@melaniecruz3190]

Café Bustelo is EVERYTHING!!! Grew up on it. It's best when made with a stove-top percolator....simply divine.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Amanda, in recent months I got hooked on the Starbucks Via Pikes Place. I really enjoy its taste. Do not use the full packet, use only 1/2 to 2/3 of pouch. If you use the full pouch, the coffee tends to be too bitter. Thanks for sharing your taste test. Take care, be safe and stay 🙏 healthy. 🤗

[@wsieber89]

It’s nice to see your channel growing!

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you!! 🤗

[@mikefa5891]

Nick is the WINNER because Folger's classic is truly the best instant coffee!

[@LydiaKrow]

I've tried the Mount Hagen, and I like it! It's very mild, but still gives a good buzz. It's one of the only coffees I can drink without cream or sweetener. That might be a turn-off for some, but I like it. Good coffee flavor, not a lot of bitterness. I really want to try the cafe bustelo now, especially if the price point is better.

[@titaa56]

I totally agree!! Great premium pure delicious coffee from Mount Hagen

[@titaa56]

Great premium pure delicious coffee from Mount Hagen! Our #1!!! It’s expensive for a reason. But sooooo worth it!! I knew you were gonna pick Mount Hagen. It’s just so good

[@freddysflyz]

That background music tho - awesome! Folgers or Starbucks are my go to choices. It’s very personal I suppose. 👍🏻

[@brentthebloodhound]

This was great to watch! I’m going to try it!

[@leed3796]

For a minute there I really thought you weren't going to tell us Nick's choice.

[@antoinette272]

Cafe Bustello is my fave of ones I have tried so far

[@amanda.outside]

I agree! It makes a good cup of coffee!

[@72shely]

I have been buying "tea bags" filling them with ground coffee and put them in the percolator. Can also be used like tea bags and let it steep. I am interested in trying some instant coffee now!

[@jamiereith7698]

Folgers has always been my go-to instant coffee, but I’m going to try Cafe Bustelo since it’s so affordable. Thank you for your video!

[@pjmnica]

If you get it from their site you can get a six month supply with free shipping. Compared to a month or week of going to Starbucks.

[@jamiereith7698]

@@pjmnica Thanks for the tip!

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome! I hope you like the Cafe Bustelo. I really enjoyed it!

[@TheTrailDancer]

So many other coffees!!!! Here in Bend, OR our best roasters recently made an instant for all the hikers!!! It’s pour over good!!! Love the vid, you should do It again with more choices!! 😬☕️

[@techiyarenanabatyhuh7243]

Hi! New subscriber here☺️ As a coffee drinker myself for many years. The coffee that I would make on the regular was Muletown's Woodsman whole been coffee. But my family and I recently moved off grid and my husband and I wanted something easy to make in the morning. But we tried every instant coffee we could try and most tasted horrible! The one instant coffee we absolutely fell in love with would be Elite, it's exactly what we wanted in taste.

[@FX-lover]

What a FA”BREW”LOUS video as alway! I couldn’t of BEAN happier.

[@amanda.outside]

😂 glad you liked it!

[@jpwhataboutit]

Hubby and I love Cafe Bustelo. We have it in canister form, brick vacuum pack sealed form, pod form and now we will get it in stick form. Loved the taste test!!

[@Greenwitch_Garden]

It took me a while to find an instant coffee that tasted good and when I found Mount Hagen my journey was complete! So glad you enjoy it in a blind taste test! I also tried cafe bustelo instant recently and found it to be a close second for taste preference!

[@DarinMcGrew]

When car camping, I use a (stainless steel) coffee press, and I keep half-and-half in the cooler. When backpacking, I use instant, with individual ultra-pasteurized half-and-half (Mini Moo's). With the instant coffee, it's worth experimenting (brand, roast, water-to-coffee ratio, etc.) to find what you like the best. One of the guys I've backpacked with would use twice as much water (or half as much instant coffee) as the package recommended, but that worked for him.

[@quentinandashtonbyers9797]

I'm honestly surprised! But I think what also plays in this, is if you like bitter black coffee or if you like flavorful black coffee. There's a huge gap even without creamers! 😫 Who knew coffee could be so complicated! Either way, we use a coffee maker while camping. Glamping! Lol.... not sure I could get on board to the instant. The only instant I've had.. was YUCK! ...... brand was walmart incase you were wondering. But I loved watching this so much. Thanks for sharing!

[@saraladz820]

You need to try Four Sigmatic. I'm a bit of a coffee snob and if I must do instant it isn't absolutely horrible.

[@micheleclift7825]

Folgers in the bag. It is regular coffee in a tea bag. Very difficult to find.

[@colinspratt9580]

I find the coffee bags(similar to tea bags) convenient & taste quite good. There are a variety of flavours.

[@deannefalise2784]

I always use Folgers decaf. I like it better than some of the coffee I've brewed. I will have to try some of the others. The faces you were making were hysterical! 😂

[@southernexposure123]

This was a fun video. The kicker about taste tests is no matter whether instand, perk, drip or whatever eise is people have different "tastes" whether it's coffee or vegetables. Since I was a toddler I liked turnip greens and not many other kids would tolerate that taste. The best one to ask is yourself with your tongue.

[@lurklingX]

hey, just wanna drop a comment to say that i like your manner and personality. it's nice to watch, other than some people i've seen on here that feel fake and influencer-y and UGH. gonna check your channel. great vid. i especially enjoyed the musical interlude ahahahahaaaa (i feel like a kindred spirit in that moment LOL)

[@TheMrsKKB]

I’ve been using Mount Hagen for a year now after finding it at Sprouts (I love Trader Joe’s Instant but they don’t have that one as single serve). I drink my coffee black so I really can taste the difference :) this was super fun!! Thank you 😁

[@amanda.outside]

You definitely can taste the differences so much more without cream or sugar! The Mt Hagen was so good! Glad you enjoyed the video 🤗

[@SamAlexander1]

Thanks... I lead our scouts on a hike yesterday and wanted to take some coffee, so picked up some Cafe Bustello at Target. Packed some in a ziplock bag with coffee mate already mixed, so was super fast to get some coffee from the jet boil when we stopped for lunch. And it was quite yummy! Thanks....

[@StephenAldaco]

I remember when you had 12k subs last time I saw your channel wow! Congrats on your growth!!

[@gypsybelle4757]

Trader Joe’s Instant Espresso is in a jar but could easily be transferred to a hike/camp friendly container. Love it! And they will sample it for you at any TJ’s before you buy. Just ask at their sample counter! Folgers came out with a Folgers Noir Golden Dusk medium-dark instant (in a black box) that is good as well. I like it better than their original. Great video! Love the comments! I’ve got some new camping coffees to sample. 😃

[@sarahkim4835]

your personality literally makes me smile so hard and I wish we could hike together

[@budwilliams6590]

You need to get some of the stuff they had in the old military C-rations. It tasted like turpentine.

[@sallymulcare5254]

Totally!

[@ashleymanring7629]

I'm with Nick, my fav instant is folgers!

[@nicolemathieu1650]

I drink iced brewed coffee when the temps are warm . Foldger's instant Hazelnut is my first choice; but for a nice hot cup of instant coffee I reach for Foldger's and add a non-fridge French vanilla creamer .

[@therealshellywymer]

Loved this video. Coffee is a must have any time. We use Café Bustelo in our espresso machine. I like it better than Starbucks.

[@jamespasifull]

For UK viewers, can I just suggest Sainsburys Gold Roast instant coffee? For years & years I drank Kenco 'red-label', but a jar went up to £6!! 😲, so I spent some time looking for an alternative. When I tried the Sainsburys gold roast, I stopped looking, because it's 99% identical to Kenco, but around half the price!! Result!! 😃

[@jongrall]

Fun taste test, Amanda. I actually do this with many of my backpacking foods. Would have liked to know which one was the worst too, so that it can be avoided.

[@amanda.outside]

Honestly, I thought all the rest were pretty bad compared to the Mount Hagen and Cafe Bustelo, but if I had to choose, the Nescafe and Alpine Start were my least favorites.

[@tonyv8925]

@@amanda.outside I don't care how much catsup and mustard I put in Nescafe', I cannot make it taste good! lol

[@casperspack951]

I don't do coffee....but hubby LOVES coffee, he likes the Folgers coffee bags....they look and act like little tea bags

[@Virgo_Victoria0830]

Cafe Bustelo all the way! 🙌🏼💯☕️☕️☕️ 10/10!

[@lurklingX]

LOL on the high-speed second pass and the faces you made :D

[@Droptineful]

I too, went on the search for the best instant coffee about 6 months ago, tried a lot of them. Even though you can’t buy it in a grocery store, Black Rifle Coffee Co. intstant packets were the best that I found. Great review!

[@amanda.outside]

Black Rifle Coffee Co makes some really great coffee! The Freedom roast is my favorite one that I've tried so far.

[@markjones127]

Best I've tried is Nescafe Azera Americano which is pretty decent, on shorter trips I use an Aeropress.

[@Zapporah85]

I use NesCafe's instant espresso. It's so strong, that it doesn't really have flavor anymore. It's hard to explain, but I hate coffee so I use that instead 🤣 It also makes great Tirimasu

[@HikeOregon]

I did one of these over on my channel but with smaller brands that aren’t generally found in regular grocery stores. I don’t like black coffee so it was definitely a test to see which coffee was the best. CS coffee won by far!

[@amanda.outside]

There are so many smaller brands that make instant coffee! I always love discovering new companies and trying new coffee. I need to check out your review!

[@raegolematis5281]

I usually love Black Rifle Instant but now I’m going to have to give Cafe Bustelo a try.

[@spookymulder945]

Yea, Mt. Hagen is great. And considering that coffee is so heavily sprayed with insecticides, it's organic too!

[@scottbutler1561]

Great video, definitely deserves a round two with maybe a few different roasts of Starbucks instant, and some of the other instants out there.

[@kimberlyt4361]

Cafe Bustelo is my favorite instant coffee!❤

[@titi1317]

Omg I forgot to add our instant coffee back in our camping tote this weekend and it sucked! Haha I bought a giant bustelo container and am still kicking myself for forgetting such an essential item agh

[@jeanniegreen2201]

That was really interesting. My daughter is a barista at Starbucks, so she always has that at home. Have you tried Folgers coffee singles? Sweet little teabag type things individually sealed. They are really good, imo, and easy to tuck in anywhere for the trip.

[@amanda.outside]

I have not tried those yet!

[@devinbraun1852]

This was priceless and entertaining. Yeah, instant generally sucks; for emergency use only. Generally drink cold while backpacking and not wanting to take the time in the AM to fire up the stove to boil water (my face puckers just thinking about it). I was surprised you didn’t include Nescafé, it’s bearable once you’re used to it. I lived in SE Europe for a few years and coffee was either the most amazing cappuccino and espresso you’ve ever had... or Nescafé instant.

[@jinetfb9530]

try making them with milk instead of water, it tastes very good

[@Noypi54494]

Go to Walmart and go to Hispanic items aisle for some Nescafe Clasico Columbian. Best instant I've had and have tried dozens from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Truly smooth, fruity, and aromatic.

[@Mamabella59]

I love Cafe Bustelo in any way or form.

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

I like Cafe Bustelo, but my favorite for a very long time is the Folgers Instant. I use the Folgers’ Black Silk as my our-over coffee daily.♥️

[@tonyv8925]

A coffe lover after my heart and a cat lover to boot. Love Black Silk drip blend, just to expensive locally.

[@lesoutside]

Black Rifle Coffee Company and thank you! You kids are awesome!

[@janette2422]

Trader Joe's brand, both the instant cold brew and the instant 'hot' Columbian in the jars. BEST instant coffee I've ever tasted. Will never go back to anything except the Bustello, and that's if I can't get down to that particular store since it's a sincere pain.

[@jc6721]

I just stumbled upon this video. I drank CB instant and regular for years and started wanting to try something new. So I went with Chock-Full-O-Nuts instant, and it's really good. A bit acidic so don't over do it. Good coffee flavor for sure!

[@elderhiker7787]

Here’s a recommendation for doing comparison tests: establish the criteria first, rather than an ad hoc, make-it-up as you go along. For instance, my criteria for coffee might be, 1) aroma, 2) lack of acidity, 3) smoothness, 4) richness, 5) continued flavor as the coffee cools off, 6) comparability with cream, sugar, flavors. I’m just brainstorming, of course, but the criteria is dependent on you and what’s important to you (and maybe your audience). Just a suggestion of course. I love your channel and look forward to your videos. Thanks a million.

[@OutontheTrails]

Great idea! I’ll have to try Cafe Bustelo. I love Maxim instant coffee that is usually available at Asian markets. It has cream and sugar already mixed in with the perfect proportions.

[@kens1039]

I have both the Alpine Start and Cafe Bustelo. Alpine Start, to be honest, is not that good. It’s just OK, and I would drink it if I didn’t have another option... I’m at the point now where I use it because I don’t want to waste it (seeing as how I spent money on the box). I was praying that you picked Cafe Bustelo as your favorite, but 2nd place isn’t bad!

[@amandahamby718]

You should definitely try the Black Rifle Coffee Company instant coffee

[@kendrasmith6637]

This was fun to watch. Thanks. I am a new sub now. 😊 I love coffee ☕️

[@zpreston2006]

I like to use folgers coffee singles. It's just coffee in a tea bag.

[@aw8674]

I like the Alpine one with creamer. It looks like a little latte minus the loads of sugar though. It's delicious

[@tonyv8925]

Thanks for taking the time to share. I prefer Folger's 100% Columbian drip blend, 2nd choice Maxwell House 100% Columbian drip blend. I am looking for instant coffee that compares to my favs to put in my bug out bags (bob).

[@midnight_prepper]

Tasters choice with a pinch of salt! Yumm

[@SarahKate365]

My favorite is Starbucks Via Columbia blend.

[@gemcityadventures9240]

I usually go for bustello if I need something cheap and fast, but lately it’s so good I’ve been switching for cascadia instant coffee. I bought it on grange grown gears website. Also for a good cup try steeped coffee bags on there, really good too!

[@contentgoddess7218]

My Dad liked coffee, but always drank instant - no clue why, I think he didn’t want to commit to a whole pot and he felt cup by cup, his brew was more fresh. He loved Maxwell House. Now, for hiking or coffee pot catastrophes, I use Folgers. Thanks for inspiring me to try a test of different brands.

[@apen2152]

Love your videos, long time fan, binge watch lol🥰❤️👍👏

[@tabitham8260]

As an Aussie I’m really sad that you don’t have good coffee options 😟 what are they doing! Do we need to send care packages of good instant coffee?

[@denniskuenze659]

Great review. I'm with Nick. Folgers is my favorite also.

[@katgerbz]

Yes! Cafe bustelo is my go to. I’m glad it was in your top 2 so I will just stick with it. I would love to hear which ones you didn’t like or just rank them in order. I had tasters choice once and genuinely gagged. Lol. Folgers is all right but bustelo wins in my book. And now I don’t have to try the expensive ones. Yay!

[@jessys9868]

I’m going to try Bustelo, but my fav right now is 1- Starbucks Pike Place and :(believe it or not) Folgers decaf!

[@wehrmeister]

Cafe Bustelo is my backpacking go to. I more than satisfied with the plain coffee, but their Cafe con Dulce de Leche is a special treat. But what do I know, my taste buds aren't sophisticated enough to pick out the undertones of citrus, caramel, berries, etc.! Thankfully my dollar store sells the ground bricks, sticks, and the Dulce de Leche.

[@georgekerr8804]

Thanks for the coffee comparison. I will definitely try the Café Bustillo. I know their Espresso ground coffee is good and reasonably priced. I like pretty strong, black, coffee. It would be good for your comparison to know how you like your coffee. Everybody has different tastes.

[@amanda.outside]

Yes I should have mentioned that. I generally like a stronger medium roast, black. At home I'll add some half and half. I hope you enjoy the Cafe Bustelo as much as I did!

[@georgekerr8804]

@@amanda.outside Thanks for your response. I have a jar of Cafe Bustelo on order.

[@jeanacouchman3726]

I've always bought the Starbucks but have found I don't like the taste anymore. I'll usually pre-grind coffee from home. Interested in trying your favs though!

[@AmirulIslam-qn6yh]

You can try Dowue Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffe..I wanna hear your opinion about this coffee.You also can try Dowue Egberts Pure Indulgence instant Coffee..This(2nd) one is my favourite

[@january1twins]

I agree! Both of these taste awesome!

[@AmirulIslam-qn6yh]

@@january1twins Hi, Thanks & Good to hear that you also have the same taste as mine. But it really a nice coffee and price also reasonable..

[@natashamariani5823]

Trader Joe's cold brew instant is really, really good. it's just coffee so non dairy folks can add sweeteners and creamer options of their choice. because of that, it is our first thing we check on "food" the packing list.

[@edwardmedina1594]

Chances are that if there is a brand you like and they have an instant coffee, then you'll like their instant coffee. Personally I hate Folgers (that's not coffee, not sure what it is - Sorry Nick). Starbucks is also terrible and Nestle is meh. I used to drink the Mount Hagen coffee and I do like the Bustelo Brand coffee. However, whatever you like it's what's best since it is a taste test and taste is highly individual it's really all up to each person to decide.

[@awkward-stranger]

This was great! Thanks

[@ombell108]

Only Mt Hagen organic ..it is delicious and never gives the jitters

[@totoroben]

Mount Hagen is good, Maxim mocha Gold is another excellent one.