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Of all the simple pleasures I’m missing out on while stuck in Illinois’ mandated state quarantine, my daily iced Americano with ristretto shots from Starbucks (hold the sugar, please), has to be at the top of my list. No matter how many times my boyfriend tries to convince me that the bagged stuff we brew at home is sufficient, for me, it’s just not the same. I want —nay, I need—more! Luckily, I stumbled upon the one thing that’s sure to get me through until I’m once again able to get my preferred java fix right in the nick of time: Copper Cow Coffee Vietnamese pour over packs (from $11.99).
These genius little biodegradable packets, which rip open at the top, are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Each one comes with a pair of genius cardboard tabs that pop out at the sides, allowing you to hang them from the center of your mug.
From there, you simply pour hot water into the open bag and wait for it to drain into your cup (A word of advice: Do so with extreme caution, lest you want to wind up with a nasty burn.) For a Vietnamese-style cup of joe, you’ll want to do this two to three times, while those that are used to the larger pours served in America will want to repeat the process roughly six to eight times (check out the video below to see how it’s done). Essentially, it’s like an über-convenient, portable version of a French press coffee, minus the “press.”
While I was delighted by the innovative design of these handy packs, I was even more pleased by the taste and quality of the coffee found within. I started with the ginger-flavored latte kit ($17 for a 5-pack). I won’t lie—I had my doubts about the flavor. I don’t particularly like raw ginger, and the thought of combining it with coffee? Well, let’s just say my mouth wasn’t exactly watering. And yet, after just one sip of this smooth, incredibly full-bodied brew, I knew I had found something special.
Sustainably-sourced from the central highlands in Vietnam, these beans have none of the bitterness you’ll get from the over-roasted beans at Starbucks. It’s also void of that slightly off-putting fruity flavor found in many an independent coffee shop, striking instead a perfect balance.
What’s more, the ginger that I was so worried about actually enhanced the flavor of my java, adding a subtle, sweet-yet-spicy element that I couldn’t help but appreciate. According to health experts, ginger also just so happens to be advantageous for everything from oxidative stress and inflammation to boosting your cardiovascular function, fighting germs, and protecting against disease—some pretty key functions at the moment, if I do say so myself!
While you can buy these pour-overs on their own, many also come in kits (like the ginger pack) that include sweetener and sugar in the form of condensed milk packets that you can pour right into your cup once it’s finished draining. Watching your figure? These kits contain 100 calories and 17 grams of sugar—a significant improvement when compared to the 240 calories and 31 grams of sugar you’d find in a 16-ounce blonde vanilla latte from Starbucks.
I, for one, am officially hooked: Copper Cow Coffee for the win!
What are some of the things you’ve found that are keeping you going in quarantine? Share in the comments below!
Xo, Nicole
