Camp Coffee the old way

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Feb 18, 2003
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496
One of the greatest moments at a campsite is that smell of fresh coffee. When we're out in the sticks, away from civilization, there's nothing better than doing it the old way. Here is a recipe for camp coffee from the real oldtimers. First of all you must have a recipient, like a little pot. Mix in the ground coffee and the sugar along with water. All of the ingredients get mixed up together in the pot which is put onto the fire. Keep a half a cup of cold water handy. The colder the better. When the coffee mixture starts to rise hold the pot in one hand and the cup of cold water in the other. The coffee mixture will rise up and when it looks like it will overflow, simultaneously take the pot off the fire and throw the cup of cold water onto the rising coffee mixture. You should throw it on the coffee as if you were striking a blow to an enemy. Let the coffee set for about 4 or 5 minutes. The cold water makes the coffee grinds seperate to the bottom of the pot. When you pour the coffee into your cup, blow gently on the surface to keep the floating swarf from going into your cup. Best dang coffee ever. NOTE: The oldtimers didn't know that sugar was bad for you, so this recipe includes sugar and I don't know if it will work without it. Cheers, Alex.
 
Sounds good to me. I'm likely to stay in the sleeping bag all day without some coffee.:D
 
Coffee and breakfast are always better at camp for some reason. Can't explain it, just enjoy it!
 
My new camp coffee technique uses little single-serving filter pouches from Coughlin and a small plastic "spear" that goes through their edges and rests on the top of your camp cup. You put fine-ground coffee in the filter, hang it from the rim of your cup with the plastic thing, pour boiling water through the coffee and filter, let it steep for a while, and enjoy.

It takes up VERY little space and weighs almost nothing. No gounds in the bottom of your cup!

Stay sharp,
desmobob


-
 
I make coffee in the bush exactly the same way I make it at home - I put coffee grounds in a pot of cold water, leave them there overnight, then, in the morning, I heat them to just before they boil. If I have a strainer handy I pour the coffee through the strainer into the cup. Otherwise I just pour it slowly and drink it through my teeth. That is the only way I've ever made coffee and I didn't realize it was out of the ordinary until a few years ago. Apparently everyone else uses machines of some kind? Even my mom started using one of those glass plunger things, although my dad apparently has not used it yet.
 
I have done this many many times. Bring a pot of water to a boil, toss in the coffee and let it simmer awhile. Then set aside for the grounds to settle, then carefully pour into mug to leave grinds behind, and then enjoy.
 
Bodums work great!

BigSkyCoffeeMugs.jpg
 
Okay I have tried instant coffee, but it just okay. I tried the way my dad make is it which is to throw some in a kettle and boil it. Its perfect.
 
One of the greatest moments at a campsite is that smell of fresh coffee. When we're out in the sticks, away from civilization, there's nothing better than doing it the old way. Here is a recipe for camp coffee from the real oldtimers. First of all you must have a recipient, like a little pot. Mix in the ground coffee and the sugar along with water. All of the ingredients get mixed up together in the pot which is put onto the fire. Keep a half a cup of cold water handy. The colder the better. When the coffee mixture starts to rise hold the pot in one hand and the cup of cold water in the other. The coffee mixture will rise up and when it looks like it will overflow, simultaneously take the pot off the fire and throw the cup of cold water onto the rising coffee mixture. You should throw it on the coffee as if you were striking a blow to an enemy. Let the coffee set for about 4 or 5 minutes. The cold water makes the coffee grinds seperate to the bottom of the pot. When you pour the coffee into your cup, blow gently on the surface to keep the floating swarf from going into your cup. Best dang coffee ever. NOTE: The oldtimers didn't know that sugar was bad for you, so this recipe includes sugar and I don't know if it will work without it. Cheers, Alex.
Yup! We used to do it that way, and it works without the sugar just fine. Best damn coffee in the world - at least it tastes that way when you are tired and cold and in the bush. We called it Cowboy Coffee.
 
Okay I have tried instant coffee...

:barf: Hey man... try to keep stuff like that under your hat.

You don't want to go blabbing that to a bunch of camp coffee drinkers!

;)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I got no idea what you guys are talking about ................. I dont drink coffee.. That stuff is bitter.. Now who is up for a hot cup of chocolate??????? now thats what a drink should taste like.

Sasha
 
I got no idea what you guys are talking about ................. I dont drink coffee.. That stuff is bitter.. Now who is up for a hot cup of chocolate??????? now thats what a drink should taste like.

Sasha

The Maxpedition Jumbo versipack that I take hunting contains an Esbit stove, stainless steel cup and several packets of Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix. :-)

Coffee beans and cocoa beans are cousins, aren't they?

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Cocoa, tea, coffee.... yeah, it is all good. I personally like all three. But I don't care for sugar and milk in coffee. I settle the grounds as described with just a dash of cold water. Tea is good, though I am not as hep on it for all my meals as a lot of folks. Hot cocoa is good for sitting around the fire at night. I generally carry all three with me on camping trips. But the coffee is real beans, not instant or decaf. The tea is real leaves, Oolong being a favorite followed by Earl Gray and Djarling. Instant cocoa is fine if it is without those marshmallow bits.

You can also settle grounds by swinging the pot Aussie style if you dare, or setting it on a cold rock or snow for a bit.

Codger
 
Thanks for posting this method. I'll be sure to try it out next time I'm camping. It certainly has a certain old-school charm.

Incidentally, coffee is at the top of my "I will not compromise on this" list when I'm out in the woods / mountains. If I plan on being out for anything more than a day hike, I have my French press (Bodum, stainless steel), mug, small crank grinder and a ziploc of good dark roast with me. I agree with dialton - the best coffee is camp coffee. Actually, I'm such a coffee addict that this falls under my 'survival gear' category - If I don't have coffee in the morning, I'm an absolute wreck for the rest of the day (nausea, blurred vision, headache).

All the best,

- Mike
 
Actually, I'm such a coffee addict that this falls under my 'survival gear' category - If I don't have coffee in the morning, I'm an absolute wreck for the rest of the day (nausea, blurred vision, headache).

All the best,

- Mike


If I don't have my coffee in the morning, everyone around me is an absolute wreck for the rest of the day (nausea, headache, blurred vision, blackened eyes, contusions, bruises, gunshot wounds....) God have mercy on the poor black bear that smells breakfast cooking and wanders into my camp looking for food at the moment I find that I have forgotten to pack the coffee! ;)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
You guys are something lol. I like Earl Gray tea and also English breakfast. But i can do with none of it with out a problem. But when i go backpacking or camping a hot cup of coco makes the last rays of the sun so much better.
But i know what you are guys talking about. When i took my ex GF camping the rule was that i make her a cup of coffee before she wakes up or i would be one sorry A**. I have learned how to make proper coffee for my own good. She liked the way the porolator(sp) works. Now i converted it to make some good Tea.

Sasha
 
We used to call that cowboy coffee and it works. Did you ever wonder where the giant coffee pot came from in the westerns? All they carried was saddle bags and then you would see them around the campfire with this one gallon pot. Makes you think.
 
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