Coffee 101: How to Make Coffee While Camping
If you love adventuring outdoors and coffee, then here are some ways you can easily make a delicious cup of joe while camping or backpacking.
Brewing coffee while camping or backpacking may seem like a big hassle, but there are actually many easy brewing methods you can use at the outdoors. Not to mention, some of these coffee making techniques were created especially for on-the-go convenience. Here are just a few ways you can make your daily coffee, even while in nature.
Single-Serving Drip Coffee
This specific coffee brewing method is relatively new and was especially designed for campers. These single serving pour-overs come in a lightweight packaging with a paper frame and coffee ground pouch. If you prefer reusable drippers, you can also purchase a stainless steel frame, which is still lightweight and easy to clean.
To make a cup of coffee with a single-serving coffee drip, place your paper or stainless steel frame onto your preferred cup. Then fill a filter with coffee grounds, place it inside the frame, and pour a bit of hot water onto the coffee grounds to wet it. Let it sit for about 30 seconds to bloom and then pour the rest of your hot water slowly through the grounds. Once you’re done, simply remove the frame containing the used filter and coffee grounds and enjoy your coffee!
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is the most ideal way to make your coffee while camping, backpacking, or just on-the-go. Not only is it lightweight and easy to pack, it also leaves no leftover waste of used coffee grounds or filters. Moreover, the brewing method for instant coffee is no fuss and simple enough where no technique is needed. Unlike the other brewing methods, instant coffee requires no wait time.
To make a cup of instant coffee, all you need to do is take a cup of hot water, pour in your instant coffee crystals, stir until dissolved, and then enjoy.
Cowboy Coffee
Cowboy coffee is a simple way to brew coffee for a group of people at once. All you need to make your coffee is a kettle or pot, coffee grounds, and water. Unlike the single-serving drip coffee, no paper filters are needed for this method. While it is a very easy way to make your coffee, it can get a bit messy in terms of clean up and coffee ground waste. This is because the grounds are not kept separate from the brew.
So how do you make cowboy coffee while camping? To start, boil your preferred amount of water in a kettle or pot. Once the water starts boiling, take it off the heat and let it sit for 30 seconds or long enough for the water to stop boiling. Next, stir in your preferred amount of coffee grounds into the hot water. Then, simmer the water and coffee grounds on the heat for about 2 minutes to extract the grounds. Once the grounds are extracted, carefully pour it into a mug and enjoy!
French Press
The last coffee brewing method is the french press. While this may initially seem too complicated and fancy for camping, it can be a great way to brew coffee if you do not mind carrying around the equipment. The stainless steel or plastic french presses are a great option for camping as it is a more durable option compared to the typical glass french presses.
To brew your coffee with a french press while outdoors, start by boiling water. Then add in your coffee grounds into the press and pour a bit of the hot water over the grounds. Let it sit for 30 seconds to one minute in order to start the bloom process. After one minute, pour the rest of the hot water into the press and let it sit for three minutes. Then slowly press the plunger down and pour your brewed coffee into a mug.
