I've heard the same. Also I am sure there are people who drink nothing except coffee; they never have pure water or similar, but they don't die of dehydration. The body gets good at extracting water from this stuff. You can extract some water from food, too.

Which isn't to say that if water is short you shouldn't drink it neat instead of making coffee with it, but if it is already in the form of coffee then it will do you good. Unlike, say, beer, which you are better off not drinking. Or sea-water or neat urine.

That said, I like my coffee white, and powered milk and creamers are horrible, so I will probably give up coffee if the balloon goes up.

I take the instant packages with me backpacking. In the morning I throw a packet in my instant oatmeal, add water and I have my food and caffeine all in one bowl. YUM!

"I throw a packet in my instant oatmeal, add water and I have my food and caffeine all in one bowl. YUM"

That's interesting.. I think I'll try that soon.. I can't imagine it being YUM though, but hey, who knows! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It all depends on how much you like coffee <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

"It all depends on how much you like coffee ."

LOL!! It's the coffee I love!! I was hoping it'd make the oatmeal more tolerable!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In truth, I love both (but usually don't use the instant oatmeal, but the steel cut ones).

If all else fails, you can chew the coffee grounds. Don't try that with Taster's Choice. And don't ask me how I know. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

It seems to be a good thing to have on hand for morale, even if I wasn't a big coffee fan. Warm liquids in the winter time can be a huge boost. At worst, I can trade the coffee to the caffiene fiend sharing space in the shelter for some item that would fill my craving (like chocolate).

You love chocolate but not coffee?!?! Man, I love both.. Not necessarily a milk chocolate fan, but a big dark chocolate fan (bitter chocolate).. Which brings up a best of both worlds (close to and probably worse than taking instant coffee straight: Chocolate covered espresso beans!!!) <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Nah, you get to go outside and conduct the initial negotiations. I've seen people having caffiene withdrawl so bad I'd give them even odds if stuffed in a duffle bag with a catamount. If you're one of them, diplomatic details are yours as needed. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I haven't heard the word Catamount since I moved! GO UVM!