Let us know if that works!!!

Lipton Tea comes in bags that are formed from mesh tubes. You could probably unclip the single closing clip, dump the tea, add coffee, and restaple them closed... voila! coffee bags!

Sue

To avoid the diuretic effect I use decaf coffee bags from Folgers. Not as good as fresh brewed but more palatable than instant. I don't need the caffeine boost, and just have them in case I need to have something hot. They are sealed as well and so should keep at least a couple of years in a kit.

The British SAS claim that coffee will DEHYDRATE you while tea will hydrate you. Having said that, they both pass right through me, but tea gives me the feeling of having a full stomach.

Coffee for me please.....medium to strong, black, no sugar. Like someone else said, tea is to be served "iced", as in "iced tea with lemon please".

The only time I drink hot tea is when I have a cold (don;t ask me why). I'm afraid if I drink hot pekoe tea too often, I might develop a British accent (not that would necessarily be a bad thing).

Well, I personally cannot handle coffee. It upsets my stomach if I have more than half a cup or so.

Most of the time I drink bagged tea like green tea, lemon, Earl Grey, and when I can find it in the store, yerba mate. I think tea is as much a diuretic as coffee, but it is easier on my stomach, so that's why I include it over coffee in my kits.

With all the traveling I've been doing, this is a topic near to my heart.

I put together in my BOB one of my courtesy airline pouches (the kind that they put a toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, some footies, an eye mask, and a fold up comb into) a collection of various liquid amendments that I've discovered over time. Amongst these are a few 1 liter mix packets of Crystal light/Kool-aid type sugar free powdered drink mixes of various flavors. These are quite effective at making less palletable water more palletable again. I've also packed individual tea bags (the kind that come packed in foil/plastic pouches to keep them from going stale), hot cocoa mix (also packed in foil/plastic), instant hot cider mix (ditto), and a handful of coffee bags. Sometimes it is a real challenge to get my hands on these in the states. I usually find them in the courtesy trays in hotels or at conventions or business meetings where all they have is hot water dispensers. I've got some Folgers single serve packs, thought that is not a brand I much care for. However, here in Australia I discovered a gourmet coffee in a bag like this sold over the counter by a company called "Robert Timms". It is a high quality coffee in an italian roast that is at least as good as the stuff I would brew at home. It is also packed in single serving foil/plastic pouches. In addition to all these drink items, I also pack some salt and pepper packets, some sweeteners (sugar and sugar free), some tabasco in a foil/plastic pouch, some taco bell sauces, etc. I've also got a couple of instant soup packets intere. That pouch is fairly well stuffed now.

I've used the old muslin weave tobacco pouches or my handkercheif or even a ripped up clean piece of t shirt as grounds holders for my coffe boiler before, though anymore I just toss in the grounds and add cold water after it is done to settle em to the bottom of the pot. I suspect all of the above will do for loose tea as well.

It is all part and parcel of my philosophy that such conveniences are readily acquired if you've the mindset for it and keep an eye out. As for freeze dried coffee, it is a poor substitute to the real thing, but I've drank plenty of it when that was all there was. I need my caffiene.

The subject is indeed well enlightened by now <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> However, a hot drink - whatever type you choose - will add instant heat to your body. Which is imperative if in a cold climate.

The caffeine in coffee or tea (or soda) inhibits antidiuretic hormone (ADH), the effect of which is to promote water loss by the kidneys. This can lead to dehydration. However, those that ingest caffeine containing substances frequently do build up some degree of tolerance (and for the caffeine addicts, going without can lead to low blood pressure, headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms of caffeine withdrawal)

I hate tea and coffee. Powdered Gatorade & Powdered Kool-aid packs gets the nod in my bags. One for sweet, one for salt. Works for me. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />