One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your experience outdoors the best it can be. We all know that tasty food and drinks are crucial to fueling a great adventure. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to make a killer cup of joe right at your campsite.

1. PREPARE BEFORE YOU LEAVE

BUY YOUR SUPPLIES

The most important step to brewing coffee in the outdoors is making sure you have everything you need before you hit the road. This includes coffee, any water you might be bringing with you (if there’s no water source near your campground), and any cups you’ll be drinking your coffee out of. If don’t like black coffee and need extras like sugar and creamer, be sure to add those to your hiking packing list too.

You’ll need to think about what kind of coffee you’ll want. Do you want a strong hit of expresso or will instant do the trick? Think about how much time and effort you’re going to be willing to put into brewing your coffee when you make this decision.

GRIND THE COFFEE

If you’re buying whole beans, they’re not going to be very useful in making coffee if you don’t grind them up first. Grocery stores often times have a grinder you can use in the coffee section if you don’t have your own. Make sure the coffee is ground finely for the water to be able to absorb it fully and get the most taste out of the coffee.

CHOOSE WHAT METHOD YOU’LL USE

Are you going to be bringing a French press, or just a regular pot to make your coffee in? Decide what works best based on how many people are in your group and how much extra room you have in your hiking backpack for additional equipment. If you’re hiking to the campsite, you might not have as much room as if you’re car camping.

PACK YOUR SUPPLIES

Place everything you need for your coffee in one container, including the coffee itself, all the parts for the coffee making device you chose, and any water if applicable. That way you’ll know where to head first thing in the morning instead of searching through all your bags frantically. The more complicated ways of making coffee can have multiple accessories, so you don’t want to risk losing those and not having coffee during your trip.

2. LIGHT YOUR FIRE

No matter which coffee making method or coffee type you choose there’s one element that is universal – hot water. When you’re camping you have two ways to heat up water – a camp stove or a fire. If you’re going on a multi-day hike, weight will be a major concern. Look at getting a backpacking stove and a lightweight cookware set to help lighten your load.

If you got your water from a river, stream or lake, make sure you boil it for at least 1 minute to kill of any harmful bacteria that could be in the water. If you’re in high altitude (over 6500 ft/ 2000 m), boil the water for at least 3 minutes.

3. SIMPLE WAYS OF MAKING COFFEE

There are many different ways to make coffee while camping. From simply boiling water and coffee grounds in a pot to making espresso, it’s safe to say you have plenty of options for making your morning cup. Let’s find out which way works best for you.

INSTANT COFFEE

If you’re not particular about how your cup of joe tastes, this is the easiest way to make coffee. Simply boil some water and pour it over a few spoonfuls of the instant mix. It’s the fastest way to get your coffee in if you don’t have much down time in the morning. In The Huffington Post’s best instant coffee taste test, Starbucks VIA Colombia comes in first place. Jacobs Kronung and Starbucks VIA Italian Roast were also top picks.

“COWBOY” STYLE

Don’t have room for any extra gear? You’ll prefer making your coffee the way cowboys have been for years. You can use the same pot you brought for making meals to save space. Dump water and coffee grounds in the pot, boil it, and remove it until it cools off and the grounds settle to the bottom.

ONE CUP FILTER

If you’re only concerned about making a cup of coffee for yourself, this one cup filter might be the most convenient option. The filter will cost you less than $10 and is small so you can easily pack it with your gear. You simply put the filter over your cup of coffee, pour the coffee on top, and let the boiling water brew into your cup below.

4. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR MAKING COFFEE

FRENCH PRESS

Many people prefer using a French press because it’s an easy way to get their cup to taste like it’s from home. According to The Wirecutter, this is the best way to make coffee while camping. Boil water over your campfire, put a few tablespoons of ground coffee in the press, and pour the hot water over it. The GSI Java Press is a great lightweight options for having the rich taste of coffee without having carry a heavy glass French press.

PERCOLATOR

The percolator is another old-school method of making coffee, but takes some time to make. You put water in it, place a filter on top with the coffee grounds on top of that, and put it over the campfire to boil. The water needs to continue to boil in order for it to be completely ready to pour, so it’s not as quick as instant coffee.

5. EXPERT WAYS TO MAKE COFFEE

AEROPRESS

National Geographic writer Brendan Leonard says one of his tips to camp better is don’t sacrifice having good coffee. That’s where the Aeropress comes in – if you’re not a drip coffee fan, you’ll love being able to make espresso instead. Boil water, add the proper amount of coffee, stir it all together, and then press for about 30 seconds to make a very strong shot of espresso.

COFFEE MACHINE

While this isn’t recommended for those who are hiking long distances with minimal gear, some people just can’t live without an actual coffee machine. This option is only suitable for car campers who have access to electricity at camp. The traditional coffee maker is a great option for big groups.

The post How to Make Coffee While Camping appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.

Whether you are short of ideas for breakfasts, lunches or dinners these camping recipes will make your life a lot easier. You don’t need to be a professional chef or carrying a whole kitchen with you, these cooking ideas are designed to be prepared with only essential utensils and keep your camping packing list to a minimum. Enjoy and bon appetit!

BREAKFAST RECIPES

1 – CINNAMON RAISIN GRANOLA

Granola is a healthy way to start off a day of adventure. This recipe turns a few humble ingredients into a crunchy, caramelized, camp friendly breakfast that is extremely tasty and nutritious. For added substance, throw in a handful of nuts to go along with the oats and raisins.  

2 – SPICY SCRAMBLED EGG BREAKFAST BURRITO

Want to spice up your mornings? Give this cheesy scrambled egg breakfast burrito a try. Use store-bought tortillas, or try your hand at making your own (recipe within book). Sliced avocado makes for a nice accompaniment. 

3 – FRENCH TOAST

Camp breakfasts don’t have to be boring! Grab some bread, butter, an egg, milk, honey and vanilla extract to whip up some tasty stacks of french toast. Serve it with plenty of butter, and your choice of toppings.

LUNCH RECIPES

4 – MANGO & AVOCADO SALAD

Looking for a filling yet healthy salad that has a bit of kick? This recipe is for you. Combine mango, avocado, red onion and jalapeño then season the salad generously with salt, pepper, and lime juice until the flavors sing. It’s quick to prepare and makes for a delicious light lunch or side dish.

5 – SALADE TUNISIENNE

This salad is a healthy addition to any meal and requires minimal ingredients. Perfect for warm days when you want something light and refreshing. Get creative and add toppings like flakes of tuna, olives, chopped hard boiled eggs, crusty bread or salty cheese. 

6 – SANDWICHES

Sandwiches make for an easy on the lunch or snack. Buy fresh bread and fill in with you veggies and/or meat. Some tasty ideas include cured meats, cheese slices, bean spread and lettuce leaves. If you are planning a multi-day adventure, tortillas make for a great replacement for bread as the pack smaller and last longer.

DINNER RECIPES

7 – CHILI CON CARNE

Chile con carne is a hearty and tasty way to fill up after a long day of adventure. This spicy stew is great on it’s own, with bread, potatoes, rice, or couscous. This dish also goes along well with guacamole.  

8 – POTATO, CARROT & PEA CURRY

This potato, carrot and pea curry is perfect for satisfying a craving for Indian food. Either follow the recipe or use any mix of vegetables. Be sure to have a helping of rice or bread on hand to soak up this creamy mixture. 

9 – POTATO LEEK SOUP

DESSERT RECIPES

10 – CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Butter and sugar turn this ordinary fruit into a golden, caramelized treat. Eat them on their own or use them to liven up your morning porridge. They also make for a delicious french toast topping.

The post The Best 10 Camping Meals For Your Outdoor Adventures appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.