As some of you know, I am recently back from France and England. While I expected superb coffee from Paris, before I left I was extremely worried about how I would keep my caffeine habit going in England. The British are known for their tea, not their coffee. Panic ensued, as any coffee drinker could imagine.

So to be prepared, I created coffee bags, to be used like tea bags in the hot water that was offered. Here’s how I made 8 emergency coffee bags:

First, I cut 16 coffee filters into 4×4-inch squares. I lined up two filter squares, then used my WONDERFUL sewing machine to sew 3 of its sides.
Coffee bags

Coffee bags

Then I scooped 4 tablespoons of medium-ground, locally roasted coffee into each of the pouches. (YES, I like my coffee strong. You could probably get away with just 2 tablespoons. If you’re a wimp, that is.)
Coffee bag making

Next, I used my sewing machine to sew that last side snugly. Coffee bags

Now I was ready for England and all of its weak coffee!Coffee bags

I was saddened when I discovered that the coffee in England was not so bad. Not comparable to the French coffee I had experienced in the week prior; however, drinkable.

I was only able to use one of my coffee bags.