3 Ways to Elevate Your Camping Experience

There's nothing quite like the serene experience of sipping a freshly brewed cup of coffee amidst the great outdoors. As you embark on your next camping adventure, why settle for subpar instant coffee when you can elevate your mornings with the rich and aromatic flavors of freshly brewed coffee? In this blog, we'll delve into three of the best camp coffee options: the AeroPress, Moka Pot, and Pour-Over, each offering a unique brewing method that caters to your taste preferences and camping style.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is a versatile and compact brewing device that has gained a cult following among coffee aficionados, and for good reason. It's a fantastic option for campers seeking a clean and flavorful cup of coffee without the hassle of a traditional setup.

Advantages:

• Lightweight and compact: The AeroPress is a camper's dream, fitting easily into your backpack without adding much weight.
• Quick and easy: Brewing with an AeroPress is a breeze, taking only a few minutes from start to finish.
• Customizable: Experiment with different grind sizes, brewing times, and water temperatures to fine-tune your perfect cup.
• Easy cleanup: The AeroPress is easy to clean, making it ideal for camping where resources might be limited.
• Brewing Tip: For a strong and concentrated brew, use a finer grind and a shorter brewing time. For a milder cup, opt for a coarser grind and a longer brewing time.

Coffee Recommendation:

The Aeropress is pretty versatile when it comes to coffee, but it really shines with light to medium roasts because it can highlight complex flavors and acidity without making the coffee taste bitter. For a cup of coffee that tastes like a vanilla caramel cake with cherries on top, try Orgullo Coffee’s Sunny Astoria Single Origin.

Get ready to Aeropress anywhere with our How-To Aeropress Guide.

Moka Pot

If you're a fan of strong, Italian-style coffee with a robust flavor profile, the Moka Pot should be your go-to choice for camp coffee brewing. This stovetop espresso-like option delivers a rich and bold cup of coffee that's perfect for kickstarting your adventurous day.

Advantages:

• Intense flavor: The Moka Pot extracts coffee with a full-bodied and intense flavor, resembling espresso.
• Durable: Made from sturdy materials, the Moka Pot can withstand the rigors of camping.
• No need for filters: The Moka Pot doesn't require paper filters, reducing waste and simplifying your camping setup.
• Suitable for group brewing: Moka Pots come in various sizes, allowing you to brew larger quantities for your camping crew.
• Brewing Tip: Fill the bottom chamber with hot water to speed up the brewing process and prevent overheating the coffee grounds, which could lead to a bitter taste.

Coffee Recommendation:

Since a Moka Pot is able to deliver that rich and extraordinary espresso-like flavor, it’s best to go with a darker roast typically touting flavors of dark chocolate and dark berries. Brandywine Coffee Roasters’ Galactic Standard Espresso Blend tastes like a delicious berry pie topped with dark chocolate syrup that will get you to the top of the mountain in no time.

Become a Moka Pot Master with everything you need to brew great Moka Pot coffee here.

Pour Over

For campers who appreciate the ritualistic aspect of coffee brewing and desire a nuanced, clean, and bright cup, the pour-over method is a delightful choice. While it requires a bit more attention and patience, the end result is a rewarding and elegant coffee experience.

Advantages:

• Precision brewing: Pour-over allows you to control the brewing process and extract specific flavors from your coffee grounds.
• Customizable: Experiment with different pour techniques and grind sizes to craft a cup that suits your taste.
• Aesthetic appeal: The pour-over method's slow, deliberate pour and visual elegance add a touch of sophistication to your camping routine.
• Bonding experience: Gather around as you manually brew coffee, turning the process into a communal activity with fellow campers.
• Brewing Tip: Pre-wet the filter and warm up the pour-over cone with hot water to prevent unwanted paper flavors from seeping into your coffee.

Coffee Recommendation:

Pour-Over allows you to bring out bright and complex fruity flavors in coffee, which is why light and medium roasts are best. Experience the exotic and juicy flavor of mixed berries, sweet tea, raw honey, and plums in Onyx Coffee Lab’s Tropical Weather.

Single-Use Pour-Over Innovations: In recent years, single-use pour-over options like Kuju Coffee and Copper Cow have revolutionized the way campers enjoy their coffee. These convenient and portable solutions provide the pour-over experience without the need for bulky equipment or extensive preparation.

Learn to craft perfect coffee every time with our Pour-Over 101.

You can’t even think about campfires without some delicious gooey s’mores. Enjoy a cup of this nostalgic campfire treat with our S’mores Mocha recipe.

As you venture into the wilderness, prepared with the knowledge of these three exceptional camp coffee options – the AeroPress, Moka Pot, and Pour-Over – you'll never have to settle for lackluster camp coffee again. Each method offers a distinct brewing experience, from the convenience of the AeroPress to the robustness of the Moka Pot and the artistry of pour-over. Whichever option you choose, you're sure to start your camping days on a high note, savoring the rich aromas and flavors of freshly brewed coffee that’s kept perfectly hot in your Ember Tumbler even while connecting with nature.