Coffee in the Outdoors; Essentials to a Good Day

If your like me- the aroma, taste, and process of making a fresh cup of coffee is often one of the first things that cross my mind upon awakening. However, when embarking into the backcountry it takes a little more planning. If you are a true lover of the magical drink, you can always make room for the proper tools and grinds. Here are some suggestions for how to get your brew perfected with little baggage.

Aero Press

Let's start with my personal favorite. I enjoy the AreoPress for the rich flavor, notable lower acidity and a smoother taste, sans bitterness. The brand bouts of “uniform extraction of the ultimate in full coffee flavor" while the micro filter yields grit-free coffee. In addition to supreme flavor, the AeroPress brews in one minute. Lastly, the AeroPress is made completely from translucent copolyester, and contains no BPA or pthlalates, purest rejoice!

Within your shiny new toy, you will find complete instructions on how to brew a good cup of coffee, however if you are a coffee-geek (and you probably are if you are buying the AreoPress) you can tap into the online medium where you will find the vast gatherings of coffee connoisseurs that meet globally for (gawk) AreoPress competitions!

The classic Pour over is also a favorite. It requires very little space, is quite speedy, and yields supremely tasty results. To get the best out of your brew, try these instructions:

1. Grind coffee to a medium coarseness, as fine as table salt. Use about 3 Tablespoons of coffee for a 10 oz titamium or stainless steel mug.
2. (Optional) Rinse your filter with cold water to eliminate the paper taste, place it inside the dripper and put it on top of your mug or pitcher.
3. Add your grinds to the filter , sprinkle with a pinch sea salt.
4. Drizzle cold water over your grinds to prevent them from yielding a burnt taste (from being burned on initial hot water pour).
5. Bring water to a boil, once water comes to a boil, remove from heat and let stand for 30 seconds. 
6. Pour some water over your grinds until saturated, let them bloom for 30 seconds.
7. Pour more water evenly in a spiral over the coffee bed and slowly fill to the top of the brewer. For an even extraction, try to pour over the dark spots and avoid the light ones.
8. When the mug is full (this should take about 2 minutes), remove the dripper from the mug.

For the 50 year tried and true method the Bialetti Moka Express is a go to oldie but goody, especially for car camping.

1. Remove the top part of the espresso maker.
2. Remove the filter funnel insert
3. Fill the lower part of the stovetop espresso maker with water. (Do not fill past the safety valve!)
4. Fill the filter funnel with coarse ground.
5. Put the filter funnel back into the lower part of the espresso maker, screw the top part back onto the lower part.
6. Place espresso maker onto your heating mechanism of choice, such as a Whisper Lite. (Careful not to burn the handle; this is not good for anyone, especially the Moka!)
7. Remove espresso maker from heat immediately after the top part of the espresso maker is filled with coffee, you will recognize the noise it makes when it is percolating.

No matter how you chose to brew, drink your coffee with an open mind, positive intention and a smile. The rest will follow.