KUJU Coffee Pocket Pourover Review

Bottom Line

Campers and backpackers who don’t want to deal with coffee makers but also prefer something more appetizing than a typical packet of instant coffee should consider Kuju Coffee. These single-serve pour-over packets are small, lightweight, and offer an easy way to brew coffee and clean up afterwards when outdoors.

Each packet contains a single serving of coffee, which we loved when packing for our multi-day backpacking trip in Utah. We could bring exactly the amount of coffee we needed. Brewing is easy, there’s practically no cleanup involved, and multiple flavor profiles are available, ranging from light to dark roasts. 

The individual packages are portable and ultralight, making them perfect for backpackers who prefer something more flavorful than standard instant offerings and don’t mind paying a little extra for the pleasure and simplicity. On the upside, they offer value similar to higher-quality instant mixes. If you’d like to see other options, check out our best camping and backpacking coffee maker gear guide.

How We Tested

We tested the Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour-Over packets alongside various other camp coffee makers to evaluate their ease of use, flavor, brew time, and more. We utilized them in our backyards and on nearby camping trips.

Portability

Of all the camp coffee makers we tested, the Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour-Over was one of the most portable. After all, there’s no bulky coffee-making device to pack, no extra coffee grounds to bring along, and each packet is so light and takes up minimal space in your bag that you won’t even notice they’re there.

During testing, we found them easy to stash in a carry-on for air travel and when camping. The individual packets allowed us to pack exactly as much coffee as we needed. As ultralight backpackers, we didn’t even think twice about tossing them into our camp kitchen kit. Each packet is only slightly larger than a packet of instant coffee.

Ease of Use

When it was time to brew, the Kuju pour-over was among the easiest to use of all the coffee makers we tested. After all, you just need to boil water, open the outer packet and remove the filter, pull out the paper arms that support it over your camp mug, tear open the top of the pour-over pouch, hang it on the rim of your camp mug, and pour hot water over it.

You won’t need to measure or weigh beans, nor do any complicated math to determine how many beans to bring. The coffee comes pre-ground and is already in a filter. We found it easier to pour water from a kettle rather than from a pot with a spout, as the kettle allowed for more precise aiming and pouring.

Time to Brew

While making a cup of coffee is no fuss with a Kuju Pour-Over, it’s still a pour-over, which means you should anticipate a similar brew time as any other pour-over method. We found it took precisely the same amount of time to prepare a cup: about 4 minutes for 8-10 ounces of coffee.

That doesn’t account for the time it takes to boil water. Brew time is active, which means you’ll need to continuously pour water through the filter and grounds for the entire four minutes.

Ease of Cleanup

Cleaning up after making a cup of coffee with a Kuju pour-over was just as easy as it was with instant coffee: simply toss the entire pop-up filter and packaging in the trash. No washing, rinsing, or cleaning up grounds is necessary. It took just five seconds. 

The filter itself is recyclable, but we’re doubtful that most outdoor enthusiasts will take the time to empty and wash out the disposable filter before taking it home to add to their recycling bin. It’s an option, though.

Coffee Strength

We tried the Kuju Base Camp medium roast, which offered a smooth flavor and balanced strength. It’s not the strongest we tested among different coffee makers, but it’s also not the weakest. This coffee will likely attract those who enjoy their brew with moderate strength. 

One limitation of these single-use pour-overs is that you can’t adjust the strength of your coffee; what you purchase is exactly what you receive.

Should You Buy Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour-Over?

Travelers, hikers, campers, and backpackers who value ease and convenience above all else but still crave a higher quality cup of coffee than instant usually delivers will appreciate these single-serve packets from Kuju. After all, they’re easy to use, even easier to clean up, and require no fuss or special equipment to prepare.

This means they’ll also appeal to ultralight backpackers who may not want to carry a dedicated piece of equipment solely for making coffee. Similarly, coffee drinkers who already enjoy pour-over style coffee won’t have trouble finding a roast they like. The price per packet is also comparable to single-serve instant coffee, making it a great value.

On the other hand, individuals who prefer more control over their coffee may find it lacking. Customizing brew strength is not possible. The same applies to those who enjoy varying their coffee routine and might favor a stronger brew in the morning and a milder cup in the afternoon.

What Other Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers Should You Consider?

If you like the idea of the Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour-Over but are wondering if there’s another camp coffee maker out there that would suit you better, check out these options, all of which we reviewed in our coffee makers for camping and backpacking gear guide.

GSI Outdoors Ultralight JavaDrip Review: If you love an ultralight pour-over but want more control over your brew, try the GSI Ultralight JavaDrip. The filter is built-in, so there’s less waste, it weighs less than an ounce, and it’s just as easy to use.

MiiR Pourigami Review: It’s still a pour-over, but it’s more durable and reusable. It may weigh a bit more, yet it comes with its own travel sleeve, and cleanup is easy because of disposable filters.

Aeropress Go Review: If you frequently brew one or two cups at a time while wanting to vary the type or strength of your coffee, the Aeropress Go is a great choice. It remains compact and portable, yet provides greater versatility.