Copper Cow Coffee Vietnamese Pour Over Coffee with Sweetened Condensed Milk Creamer – Single-Serve and All-Natural Pre-Filled Coffee Filters – Classic (2), Salted Caramel (2), Vanilla and Lavender Latte Flavors (30 Pack)

I’m obsessed with Vietnamese Coffee, been drinking it for decades, explored all the cafes I could when I traveled to Vietnam, but since it’s high in sugar it became more of a treat for me.When I saw this product I was so excited! I try to eat and drink only natural and organic products at least at home. I purchased the Classic set, and made a cup the day it was delivered.Unfortunately for me, this did not hit the Vietnamese coffee mark. I warmed up the condensed milk packet in hot water which I recommend doing since I could feel it separated inside (not a problem, food has a mind of it’s own sometimes.) Brewed the coffee as directed, but noticed the drip wasn’t pulling like the normal thick Vietnamese coffee type.I like the iced version better, but I mixed in the condensed milk and tried it hot first.Tasted like slightly sweetened plain average joe coffee. I went with the 3oz hot water pour for the thicker treat, but it was still quite thin and most of all did not have that unmistakable Vietnamese coffee flavor.I tried poured over ice, added normal cream to thicken it up which overpowered what little taste it had. Overall I think the beans were over roasted, because the company says it’s a Vietnamese harvest and it definitely feels like they put a lot of effort into this product.I love the idea since I travel a lot too. Gorgeous packaging (although banged up from amazon) it would make a pretty present. I’m glad that so many people like this product but it definitely did not give me the true Vietnamese coffee results I was looking for.

I'm lucky to live in a neighborhood with three good independent coffee houses in walking distance (one even imports and roasts its own beans), plus two (2) Peets and a Starbucks. So I've scarcely made coffee at home in years, and haven't bought out-of-town pre-ground coffee within memory. Until I tried these Copper Cow kits (also sold, at similar per-portion price, by Backpacker's Pantry in special sturdy 2-serving outer packages very good for travel:  Backpacker's Pantry Copper Cow Vietnamese Coffee One Color, One Size  ).First, there's that clever little (airtight-packaged) filter pack with pull-out paper hooks that hold it at the top of a mug. "Instant" filtered coffee wherever there's hot water -- no filter holder needed, no machines. (Be careful to open the filter pouch properly -- the "tear" perforations are invisible, and below a row of visible holes that are part of the paper you tear off.)Then, each filter pack comes along with a pouch of sweetened condensed milk to add to taste.But what really made it for me was the coffee quality. This is way beyond anything I've experienced with pre-ground coffee before. More like the flavor I associate with local independent coffee shops. The quality of the product hits you with the fresh aroma on opening the sealed outer packet.Finally: shelf-stable "instant" coffee that tastes like the Real Enchilada.

I learned about Copper Cow Coffee on Shark Tank. Admittedly, I was completely won over by the presentation, especially with the compliments of the Sharks, especially Daymond's critique having recently stood in line in Vietnam for a real authentic Vietnamese coffee.Taste is subjective. That being said, I purchase beans that are freshly roasted to order, using a burr grinder immediately before brewing in a French press. I like my coffee deeply flavored and rich. I prefer dark roast but also enjoy a good city or even an Italian roast. I am not a fan of French roast, however.I mention my coffee and roast preferences as this coffee if very weak, even brewed at 4 ounce levels, and not fresh at all. I considered that if the coffee was freshly roasted, ground and immediately individually packaged that the individual packaging would retain some freshness even if not as much as freshly ground. I feel that either the quality and roast of the coffee is poor or the method of roasting, grinding and packaging is lacking or both. While the coffee doesn't taste stale, it also doesn't have flavor. It tastes similar too what the middle of an open package of pre-ground grocery store coffee would taste. That flavor is not worth $5+ a cup. I pay far less than that for roasted to order fresh beans.Instructions. Those horribly invisible instructions!On the outside of the package it says: Tear, Gently Hang, Pour, Squeeze - complete with pictures of tearing off the top off the coffee pouch, spreading open the hanging parts, pouring with a gooseneck kettle and squeezing the package of sweetened condensed milk into a large mug off dark, delicious looking coffee (looks like a good 10 ounces too, so 2 - 3 packets of Copper Cow Coffee!).Inside of the flap it says: Brew it your way directions, along with a picture of a coffee cup, with illustrations showing American Style (fill 6-8 times) 8oz, Vietnamese Style (fill 2-3 times) 4oz.On the back of the individual packets it has 4 illustrated steps 1) Tear open filter 2) Gently hang 3) Pour hot water 4) Add creamer to taste.Cumulatively the instructions make it seem that you can pop open a packet, boil some water, fill up the little open hanging packet 2-8 times, add the creamer and drink.Even if this coffee would taste good to you, this will not work.Pour over coffee is a method. (I highly recommend consulting a youtube video or barista as this method is technique driven) A gooseneck kettle is advised/preferred for an easier controlled pour. Drizzle just enough water, just off the boil, over your open hanging packet to moisten the grinds. Allow it to sit for 30-45 seconds. Slowly drizzle just off the boil water over the open hanging packet, starting and stopping to create a very slow and consistent drip. This is cumbersome as the packet is small, square and narrow instead of a nicely spread out cone, but it can be done. It should take 3 - 5 minutes+ to correctly brew your 4-8 ounces of coffee.I know, I know.. no where does it explain that this is not a quick and easy, almost instant coffee. It does say that this is a classic pour over coffee and shows the gooseneck kettle, both instruct, without instructions, that this coffee is to be brewed using the classic pour over method. The issue being that many, if not most, American coffee drinkers don't know what the classic pour over method is even if they have heard of it, AND the instructions of filling up the packet 2-8 times is the best way of extracting the least possible amount of flavor out of pre-ground coffee that needs help pulling out any flavor to begin with.My personal recommendation is to pass on this. If you are interested in pour over coffee, the tools do not need to be pricey. It really is all in the method. The most costly tools are a good burr grinder (which doesn't have to be a high end burr grinder), good coffee beans (you can buy an entire pound of really good, roasted to order beans for $16 not on sale). Filter your water. Use a faucet or counter filter that results in water that you enjoy drinking. If you want to use the pour over method, do invest in a gooseneck kettle, anything else is going to be frustrating.If the pour over method sounds too time consuming, too much, too whatever for you consider other methods. I enjoy the ease and boldness of the French Press, however a lot of people like the Clever Dripper, an Aeropress, a Moko Pot (use Google or try r/coffee on reddit to chat with people about what you are looking for in ease of use, taste and cost).If you are a traveler, going on vacation or otherwise want to be able to have decent coffee away from home there are more delicious alternatives that are more cost effective than Copper Cow.If you are trying Copper Cow because it sounds interesting, sure, give it a go... maybe also consider looking into alternative brew methods and types/brands of coffee to have some fun exploring your taste and brew preferences. If you are into coffee or just curious, it could be a lot of fun to treat yourself (a variety all at once, something different every week, every month, every few months... whatever fits your life, style, finances, you deserve it!).If you like it, you like it. You do you.Happy Brewing!