French press type coffee??

What instants do you like?  I saw the HowNottoHighline guy is involved in an instant called Juno. I haven’t had any that really impress me.  I got some pour over filter bag things from REI that were just awful. And $$$.  

Edit: just saw Primo Instant. 

Mike- yeah check out First Ascent roasters. Note: "primo" was my descriptor, not the brand name. Their instant is bangin'. There's some others out there, but I haven't explored much further, the FA Ethiopian has fit the bill nicely so far. They're really responsive to their clientele, small outfit, good peoples. 

I still think the very best coffee would be the cup delivered to your tent or sleeping bag. Just so you know, if anyone ever wants to score BIG points with this Old Lady. 

Sadly, I'm usually the coffee deliverer, never the deliveree. My bad. Clearly I need to pick camp mates more selectively.

Or your camp mates just make fun of you because you care too much about coffee... 

But yes, it's always special when someone else makes it... so long as there was a nice bloom, medium to light roast, and a spot-on extraction ;)  

edit: my camp mates make fun of me because I care too much about coffee. 

Depending on the brand you can get your beans ground to different coarseness. A slightly larger grind works better for French press and will stop most of your grind fishing. 

Obviously a French Press is better than something like a dual coffee maker haha, but I highly recommend the Aeropress that some people have mentioned here. Easy to use, easy to clean and the coffee is amazing. I highly recommended using paper filters when possible to remove sediment and any harmful chemicals. If you suffer from acid reflux, that is just another reason to go with the Aeropress. You can even make yourself a nice latte or a shot of espresso on the trail with one of these.

John Doe wrote:

Obviously a French Press is better than something like a dual coffee maker haha, but I highly recommend the Aeropress that some people have mentioned here. Easy to use, easy to clean and the coffee is amazing. I highly recommended using paper filters when possible to remove sediment and any harmful chemicals. If you suffer from acid reflux, that is just another reason to go with the Aeropress. You can even make yourself a nice latte or a shot of espresso on the trail with one of these.

Second the Aeropress suggestion, I use it extensively while traveling or at home. I would always use a paper filter however, that’s how the design is setup. If you’ve got a really light, vibrant roast, use two to have a cleaner coffee. They also have an add-on metal filter for those who want to replicate espresso. 

My Aerppress has collected a lot of dust the past year. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But I keep reaching for my single-service pour over. Maybe because it's just less moving parts, but also because I like a slightly larger cup. I was doing 18g for my Aeropress, and with my pour over I typically do 20g and 300g h20. 

Stephen L wrote:

My Aerppress has collected a lot of dust the past year. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But I keep reaching for my single-service pour over. Maybe because it's just less moving parts, but also because I like a slightly larger cup. I was doing 18g for my Aeropress, and with my pour over I typically do 20g and 300g h20. 

I use different methods for different coffees, one is not really better than the other, just situational. I’d say I use them about equally. You can also change the recipe on the Aeropress for a larger cup. Search “World Aeropress Championship Recipes” and you’ll get a list of really good brewing recipes. I use a 35g dose, bloom it (basically brewing a concentrate) and add water in the mug after it brews, which makes a large cup.

D Elliot wrote:

I use different methods for different coffees, one is not really better than the other, just situational. I’d say I use them about equally. You can also change the recipe on the Aeropress for a larger cup. Search “World Aeropress Championship Recipes” and you’ll get a list of really good brewing recipes. I use a 35g dose, bloom it (basically brewing a concentrate) and add water in the mug after it brews, which makes a large cup.

I've played with the Aeropress recipes but I like the 18g dose the best. The concentrate method, maybe I haven't tried that... 

I can tell a difference between Aero and my pour-over. Subtle difference and I like them both but, again, just less moving parts with the small dripper. 

I can't stand the mess of a press, just awful. I can't stand pods or other coffee contraptions either.

Pour-over is my preferred method for all coffee brewing, back country or front doesn't matter. Paper filter, plastic cone that nests in my titanium cook pot, along with a baggie of coffee. Kits is self-contained and super easy.

I don't understand the attraction to french press. But tastes differ so enjoy! :)

Cherokee Nunes wrote:

I can't stand the mess of a press, just awful. I can't stand pods or other coffee contraptions either.

Pour-over is my preferred method for all coffee brewing, back country or front doesn't matter. Paper filter, plastic cone that nests in my titanium cook pot, along with a baggie of coffee. Kits is self-contained and super easy.

I don't understand the attraction to french press. But tastes differ so enjoy! :)

The Aeropress differs drastically from a French Press as far as cleanup. You literally push the plunger out the bottom and it expels all the grounds into the trash/sink. Worth a try if cleaning is too much, and it’s plastic so it can’t break easily. The metal filter of a FP allows oils and fines to remain in the cup post-brewing, which some prefer for more bold flavor and mouthfeel. The Aeropress uses a paper filter so it still produces a cleaner cup than FP, but not so much as a pour over. 

Stephen L wrote:

I've played with the Aeropress recipes but I like the 18g dose the best. The concentrate method, maybe I haven't tried that... 

I can tell a difference between Aero and my pour-over. Subtle difference and I like them both but, again, just less moving parts with the small dripper. 

I have played quite a lot with an Aeropress with a scale, timer, and thermometer and getting a consistent brew was my biggest challenge. I too use a pour over for my daily. This one doesn't break and in my opinion makes the best of the many I have tried. (downside is that it takes it's own filters) Kalita Wave 

Ceramic V60 pour-over with fresh ground beans for my daily cup. Beans and water are weighed, gooseneck kettle has a thermometer and keeps temp steady throughout process. Hard to replicate unless car camping and even then...

I actually wean myself off caffeine the week before any big trip. Saves time in the morning and dependence is frustrating in the outdoors. I don't enjoy shitty camp coffee so no big loss for me. 

I only drink a cup per day though, I can see how the planned withdrawal would suck more for a heavy caffeinater. 

Similarly, while I cook a hot meal every night at home, I just eat sammiches and snacks in the outdoors. No real joy taking the time to prepare mediocre food with mediocre tools. But to each their own.  

bearded sam wrote:

I have played quite a lot with an Aeropress with a scale, timer, and thermometer and getting a consistent brew was my biggest challenge. I too use a pour over for my daily. This one doesn't break and in my opinion makes the best of the many I have tried. (downside is that it takes it's own filters) Kalita Wave 

Looks like a nice handy unit! I like the metal construction. My little bomac single portion dripper also has a pretty esoteric filter. Luckily my sister-in-law ordered 1K box of them from japan for me a couple Christmas's ago :)