How to Make Camp Coffee – French Press

The French press is a pretty darn good way to start a morning in camp.

No extra filters, fuss, or complexity – the French Press has long been a favorite for a simple, rustic, hearty cup of camp coffee. Thoreau would certainly approve…all you need is coffee, hot water, and a press.

While other methods are better for ultralight or backpacking adventures, the French Press is awesome for short hikes, base camp epics, or anywhere else you’re not too concerned about space and weight.

Here’s how to make French Press camp coffee…enjoy!

How to Make Camp Coffee with a French Press

1. Heat some (purified) water, to just under a boil. Style points for finding a mossy, boulder-filled forest.

   

   Step 1. Photo by Nick Richter

    

2. Measure coffee into your French Press. You want course grounds, kinda like the consistency of sea salt. Add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 8 ounces of water.

   

   Step 2. Photo by Nick Richter.

    

3. Slowly pour half the water over the grounds, making sure there are no dry spots. Let it sit for 1 minute.

   

   Step 3. Photo by Nick Richter.

    

4. Find a spoon (or a stick…but don’t cut it off a live tree, mind you!) and gently stir. You’ll find a nice crust. Break it up. This is called blooming. This is important! It’s almost as satisfying as flashing a boulder problem or finding a cool walking stick. Almost.
5. Add the rest of the water. Put on the lid (but don’t press down!) and let it brew for 4 minutes. Go climb a boulder. Read a poem. Watch a bird.

   

   Step 5. Photo by Nick Richter.

   

   Step 5b. Photo by Nick Richter.

    

6. Slowly press your coffee. Why slowly? We’re not sure either. Something about savoring and flow, or so they say. Pour immediately.

   

   Step 6. Photo by Nick Richter.

If you’re wise, you’ll sit and enjoy your coffee for a moment while taking in the wonders of nature, and then go do something like crush a boulder or summit a mountain on your new-found stoke. Or just celebrate.

How to Make Camp Coffee with a French Press – Recipe

Here’s the recipe, short version:

• 2 T coarse-ground coffee per 8 oz water.
• No. 1: Measure coffee into press, pour half the water. Wait 1 minute.
• No. 2: Stir gently, about 5 strokes. Pour the rest of the water.
• No. 3: Wait 4 minutes, and press.

Now get yerself outside and make some coffee!!

(Psst…also, if you want one of those “Press On” t-shirts in the photos, head over to the Gear page.).

(Also, many thanks to Nick Richter for all the rad photos in this post…)

Happy trails,

Conner and the crew from Granite Creek Coffee Collective