Coffee, the beverage that powers so many of my favorite mornings in nature. Whether watching the soft light of the sun emerge over a mountain range or a serene beachfront landscape, coffee is inevitably tied to experiencing these moments in a perfectly ideal manner. But which method is best to easily produce a consistently excellent cup of coffee on the road? Let’s take a look at what you can do to ensure you have a great cup just in time to watch that epic sunrise crest the horizon on your next camping trip.
Off-Grid Coffee Making Considerations
Undoubtedly, you have noticed the plethora of coffee-making options available at your favorite outdoor retailer or e-commerce giant. When you have shore power available, almost any coffee preparation strategy you might use in a home are available. However, if you adventure off-grid in your RV or backpack consistently, you will want to take a look at packing a few small, convenient items so you, too, can enjoy the perfect brew!
Retailers offer tons of options for single-serve needs, in addition to options for larger serving sizes. Principally, you will want to make sure you have a hand-powered grinder when using whole bean coffee. You can skip out on this if you opt for ground coffee. Or you can grind your coffee before your adventure. In addition, you will want a pour-over or french-press, as well as a small kettle for heating your water.
Best Non-Electric Brewing Methods
Now let’s take a look at which brewing method you should choose depending on your coffee preferences.
French Press
The french press method involves bringing your water to a boil and pouring the water into the press, which already contains the ground coffee. The coffee should be ground a good bit more coarsely than you might when using a traditional coffee machine. The total immersion of the ground coffee will typically last about five minutes. At that time, you will proceed to press down on your french press. This will stop the brewing process, and you can now pour and enjoy.
The highlight of choosing this method is having a cup that retains the thick, oily nature of your chosen roast. This is full-bodied coffee at it’s finest!
Pour-Over
The pour-over method works in the exact opposite manner. This method will also require bringing water to a boil, but you will pour the water into a filter holding your ground coffee. The water will immediately begin to flow through the soaking coffee grounds, and into the carafe or receptacle. Once you are done pouring your water over the ground coffee, you are ready to enjoy your perfect brew.
The lack of total immersion will result in a cup that is not nearly as full-bodied. And it will not retain the oily characteristics described in the french press method. This method is what you will choose when you seek to find the most readily available notes and nuances of a chosen coffee.
Now you can take a look at your coffee-prep options whether online or in-store, and know exactly what you need for your next adventure. Lastly, look into discovering some regional differences in coffee. Typically, you can expect to find coffee from areas like Indonesia, Latin America, Africa, and more, all with their own flavor profiles and nuances. Regardless of the coffee and brewing method you choose, remember to enjoy your cup with some inspiring views during your next RV adventure!
