Mount Hagen Instant Coffee

Coffee that is not grown in the shade needs to have many pesticides sprayed on it. I can't drink regular non-organic instant coffee for long before it starts messing with my hormones. I found this out when I ran out of Mt. Hagen and began to drink a non-organic brand for about 3 weeks. That's when it hit home that organic is usually better and worthwhile, when I could really see the difference in my health. Going to pasture raised raw milk from store bought was also a revelation, but that is another matter. Also, consider the coffee growers. If they need to grow coffee where coffee is not meant to be grown, they need to spray and that is not good for their health either.

I am a coffee snob. I roast and grind my own beans. I was looking for an instant coffee for travel use (to prevent withdrawal headaches). I'm giving this 5 stars because it is the best instant coffee I have ever had. It does not compare to high quality fresh brewed coffee, however. If I were evaluating it against all coffee, it would probably rate 3 stars. Better than supermarket and mass market name-brand American coffees but not so good as higher end roasts. It is mid-range in flavor and acidity with low to no aftertaste. Has a bit of that instant coffee smell in the cup. You might think it's excellent. It's definitely beyond good enough for travel and "emergency" use. BTW, using a measuring spoon I find 1 teaspoon makes a small "teacup", I like two to fill up an 8 oz. mug.

Currently working from home and quarantining ourselves due to the pandemic. Going to cafes for coffee is a luxury we had to cut out during this time to keep ourselves and others safe. In preparation, I ordered 2 bottles of this instant coffee and am SO thankful I did. The coffee tastes great and is so comforting... I know it sounds extremely lame but while I was sipping on a cup of this stuff, I couldn’t help but feel very appreciative and also made me realize how much we take for granted.Anyways, I use a little more than a teaspoon (a full spoonful for me) as I like my coffee a little stronger. May need to order more bottles soon :)

I'm rating this and giving 5 stars compared to many other instant solutions I've tried, not against fresh brewed coffee. For me, 2 level teaspoons to 8 ounces is perfect, and I tend to like my fresh brewed coffee on the stronger side. 3 Level teaspoons got a little too bitter for me, and that "instant" coffee after taste surfaced. This is the best backpacking instant coffee solution I've come across, better than Starbucks Via for me. If I'm on an overnight trip, I use a drip type brew solution, but for multi day trips, this is my new go to.

I love to brew freshly ground coffee every morning and have done so for decades. But there are times I want a good cup of coffee without going through all the motions. After trying countless instant coffees, this is the richest, smoothest I've found. Absolutely excellent. American instants are dreadful, European instants are notably better, but Mount Hagen is what I was looking for. And it has everything for the coffee snob: 100% Arabica, USDA/Ecocert Organic, Fair Trade. Plus it's freeze-dried and comes in a glass jar. Yes, fresh-brewed coffee is always better, but this is EXCELLENT instant.