Alpine StartInstant Dirty Chai Latte, Coffee Blended with Traditional Chai Spices, Black Tea and Soy Milk, Vegan and Dairy Free (0.70 Oz) Pack of 5

I love this instant coffee/cream for camping.It’s far and beyond above the usual name brands that Ives uses in the past. They go well with a literal honey added for sweetness. I’m sure sugar would work as well.

I live in Seattle, which unfortunately means I'm a de facto coffee snob. Until Alpine Start, there really was no drinkable instant coffee to enjoy on long weekend in the surrounding Cascade and Olympic mountains. Glacier climbing at midnight? Easy. Week-long section hikes on the PCT? No problem. Bad coffee? HUGE CHALLENGE!! My husband and I used to wince, plug our noses and try to choke down the bitter sludge of the best instant coffee we could find, but it was only barely passing as a tolerable experience.Fast forward a few years to a trip to Boulder where we heard about this new instant coffee called Alpine Start. We decided to spring for it and subsequently had our minds blown. We have been loyal fans for years and haven't looked back. I had no idea instant coffee could taste this good! We take it everywhere now, even on day hikes, because it's better than rural espresso stands or gas station coffee. It's seriously on par with a good cup of coffee you'd get in the city, and when you d the math, comes out to be MUCH cheaper.Coffee is such a huge part of our routine that we have come to rely on this morale boost when backpacking or mountaineering. When you strip away the clutter of life, and you get back to basics, knowing you can still have a good cup of coffee is just so important. It dissolves quickly and easily, has none of the bitterness or acrid taste I used to associate with instant coffee, and manages to be both full flavored and smooth.I don't know what kind of sorcery they're up to over at Alpine Start, but whatever it is, it makes a fine cup of coffee. Highly recommend!!!

I take it with me camping and make a double batch in the a.m., on the camp stove so I have a comforting hot steamy and delicious morning cup to watch the sun come up, then save the other in the cooler to ice for a super pick me up after an afternoon of hiking and what not. Only reason four stars and not five is because a little pricey but I cannot argue with the quality, taste, and convenience when camping, hiking, and at home.

I'm not a coffee snob, I like all kinds of coffee, even 'bad' coffee. I was so excited to try Alpine after reading the reviews but after doing so, I really don't get the hype.For me it tastes the same as any other instant coffee I've had. I'm going to use up the box because it was $10 and it's definitely convenient if you just need coffee on the go. But if my goal is to just sit and enjoy a cup, I won't be reaching for this. I don't think the 'creamer' does it any favors.It's not horrible, I was just expecting something much more impressive based on all the rave reviews.

This instant coffee is great. I love chai tea but I also sometimes want the extra kick that coffee gives - especially when camping. This is by far my favorite flavor in their lineup, and I got sad when I went to restock before my last camping trip, only to find they were sold out! Luckily I found some packets stashed away with my camping gear but now that I can find it on Amazon, it’ll be much easier to restock in the future. It’s hella pricey, but it’s not something I drink all the time, so I don’t mind spending a few extra bucks on occasion for this tasty treat.

The chai is very light in flavor, and unfortunately, the powder doesn’t fully dissolve, even with 212° hot water, a good stir, and a few minutes to sit. It leaves a gritty texture that makes the experience less enjoyable. I wouldn’t bring this on a trip or repurchase it at this point.

Dirty Chai: 5 stars! Wow, delicious! I needed some instant coffee for an upcoming back country trip to Kyrgyzstan. This is the fourth instant coffee I've tested and my search is over! I love the spicy flavor, the milkiness of it, and how quickly and thoroughly it dissolved in cold water. The chai flavor is strong and delicious, both cold and hot. I love it! Be mindful that many coffee mugs are actually 12-16oz, and you could end up diluting it as it calls for 8-10oz per packet. Highly recommended! My only wish is that the plastic packets were compostable or recyclable. I will even drink this at home, where I have easy access to fresh coffee.Coconut Creamer: 3 stars. This is a decent latte. The initial flavor is excellent, but the aftertaste is a bit sour which puts me off. For an instant coffee, it is quite good. I would put this in par with a fresh latte from Pret Manger: reliably decent, just very OK. I would reach for this over Starbucks, but likely wouldn't pick it over a fresh cup at home.

This brand has become my go-to coffee for camping! It has a great taste and is something I look forward to as soon as I wake and get out of my tent.