How to Brew Campsite Coffee

By: Benjamin Davidson

Forget instant coffee. In order to have the ultimate camping experience, you need real, freshly-brewed black coffee along with a beautiful sunrise. Imagine the aroma of just-made coffee with pine trees and early morning soil. We know the outdoors are truly about the place and the adventure, but why not put as much thought into your morning cup of Joe as you do choosing the right hiking trail?

The most important thing to remember is to grind the coffee beans before you leave. Seal them in an air-tight container to preserve freshness. Bring more than you think you will need in order to leave room for mistakes, spills or in case you decide you need to prolong the peaceful combination of coffee and the outdoors.

French press is an easy method for brewing some of the best coffee you will ever enjoy. Non-camping coffee-lovers brew French press at home, so you are guaranteed to be satisfied with your brew. French press also takes the least amount of time and effort, especially when you have limited resources. Unlike a pour over, French press serves multiple people at once, which makes it the ideal choice for a camping trip.

Brewing French Press Coffee:

1. Measure the coffee beans before you grind them. A 1/2 cup of coffee beans makes 4 servings of coffee, while 1 cup of coffee beans makes 8 servings. Pour the coffee grounds into the French press. Coffee grounds for French press do not need to be as fine as if you were using them for drip coffee.
2. Measure 4 cups of water if you are making 4 servings and 8 cups of water if you are making 8 servings.
3. Hot coffee is key to making a delicious cup. You want your water temperature just below boiling, so boil a pot of water, then turn down the heat slightly for one minute. Ideally, the water should be heated at 195F. Pour the hot water into the French press.
4. Stir the mixture rapidly and in a variety of motions.
5. Let the French press sit for 4 minutes.
6. When 4 minutes is up, slowly press the plunger all the way to the bottom and enjoy immediately. Even if you do not need all of the coffee at once, make sure to pour everything out and set aside. Leaving liquid in the French press results in gritty, overdone coffee.