O.K. Forum memgers(and those just visting) I have been a coffee drinker for years, but when I pack my BOB I have read that I schould use TEA insted of Coffee . can anybody tell me why?, And if you are recommending Tea, what kind seeing that there is about a thousand different types. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Coffee will cause a greater loss of body liquid than tea and could contribute to dehydrate you faster. Especially if your source of water is limited. In that case a nice cupper of tea (with sugar) is prob better.

Being hard on the coffee meself, I'd ofcourse recommend you to stick to a combination and judge for yourself depending on the situation you might find yourself in.

I like both tea and coffee but when I tell a coffee drinker putting together a BOB I recommend tea because of the taste of freeze dried. If you like freeze dried or instant coffee use it since you can get it in single serve packs and small jars. The only reason I have tea in my pack is as a moral booster and that’s best done with something you like. I don't know of any other reason and if there is another maybe some one will enlighten us. As far as what kind grab a few of the sampler packs and find your favorite flavor.

Being a coffee abuser at one time (10-12 pots per day x 8 years), my stomach won't allow anything stonger than 2 scoops making 12 cups. I like my coffee but tea comes in convenient bags and is much easier to use in the field. When I can find coffee in individual bags, I'll use them because I still like my coffee in the morning.

I use maxwell house singles when I hike. They are, essentially, coffee bags, steeped like tea. Not the best, but, its better thqan nothing.

Tea and coffee are packed as much for cultural habit as anything. Both have the stimulant caffeine and various pros and con health issues from blood pressure to wiping out free radicals. Coffee is supposed to be diuretic, but between police officers of Old Bald Guy's generation, caravanseri on the Silk Road and naval petty officers with permanently crooked forefingers and thumbs for cups I wouldn't stay up nights worrying about it. I figure some dietician working next door to the labrats who conjured magnesium fire starters and solar stills came up with this. You also have the options of cocoa, various powdered ciders, fruit drinks etc. The tradition of strong cowboy coffee was both as a simulant and to mask pretty bad water. And thats what modern drinks also provide. Teas are actually pretty simple. You have green, black and oolong. All are from the same plant and there are countless varieties. You can get in more trouble with herbal teas. Pack what you like. A BO situation is no time to try Chai tea on an already stressed system.

Thanks to all, I guess me and old bauld guy will stay with our coffee. Thanks again.

I think the thing with tea in a survival kit is the ritual involved in preparing it (proper billy tea that is, rather than dropping a tea-bag in a cup) gives you time to stop and think.

Tea is supposed to be stored in the 'fridge and consumed in a tall glass over ice (no lemon or sugar). I do pack a few bags of "regular" and green tea, just for my wife. I tried coffee bags and can barely stomach the taste. For my emergency stash I put some freeze dried in a small ziploc, squeeze out most of the air, then put that in a vacuum bag and suck-seal it. If I have the room I stick in a little gizmo that sits on top of my cup (actually an insulated mug with lid). You put some coffee in the little filter-basket thing on the bottom, sit it on the mug, and pour boiling water into it. Water drips thru the basket, real live coffee drips in to your mug. I also have a big ole mug with a built in coffee press, that works pretty well too, but is a real pain to clean...

I am thinking about wrapping up a dose of coffee grounds in a paper filter and tying that closed so I can dip it into hot water in my cup & have real coffee, in the field, come "Tea Time"!