How to Brew Coffee in the Field: A Veteran’s Guide to Making the Best Cup of Joe in Any Situation

Hey, coffee lovers! It’s Brian here, your friendly neighborhood coffee geek and former Army veteran. Today, I’m going to share with you one of the most challenging and rewarding skills that I learned during my service: how to brew coffee in the field.

You see, coffee is not just a drink. It’s a lifeline. It’s a morale booster. It’s a survival tool. And for many soldiers, it’s a necessity.

But brewing coffee in the field is not easy. You have to deal with limited resources, harsh conditions, and unpredictable situations. You have to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

But don’t worry. I’m here to help. In this article, I’m going to show you how to brew coffee in the field using different methods and equipment that you can find or make in any scenario. Whether you are in a base camp, a patrol, or a firefight, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s get started!

How to Brew Coffee in the Field: The Basics

Before we dive into the specific methods and equipment, let’s go over some basic principles and tips that apply to any situation:

• Always use fresh and quality beans. This is the most important factor for making good coffee. No matter what method or equipment you use, if your beans are stale or low-quality, your coffee will taste bad. So always try to get the best beans you can find or bring with you. And if possible, grind them right before brewing for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Always use clean and filtered water. This is the second most important factor for making good coffee. No matter what method or equipment you use, if your water is dirty or contaminated, your coffee will taste bad. So always try to get the cleanest and purest water you can find or bring with you. And if possible, filter it before brewing to remove any impurities or chemicals.
• Always use the right ratio of coffee to water. This is the third most important factor for making good coffee. No matter what method or equipment you use, if your ratio is too high or too low, your coffee will taste bad. So always try to measure your coffee and water accurately and consistently. And if possible, use a scale and a timer to ensure precision and consistency.
• Always adjust according to your taste preference and environment. This is the fourth most important factor for making good coffee. No matter what method or equipment you use, if your coffee does not suit your taste preference or environment, your coffee will not satisfy you. So always try to experiment with different variables and factors that affect your coffee extraction and flavor, such as grind size, water temperature, brew time, altitude, humidity, etc.

How to Brew Coffee in the Field: The Methods and Equipment

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s look at some specific methods and equipment that you can use to brew coffee in the field:

Method 1: Instant Coffee

This is the easiest and fastest way to brew coffee in the field. All you need is some instant coffee packets or sachets and some hot water.

Instant coffee is made by freeze-drying or spray-drying brewed coffee into powder or granules that dissolve in water. It has a long shelf life and does not require any special equipment or skills.

However, instant coffee also has some drawbacks. It usually has a lower quality and flavor than freshly brewed coffee. It also has less caffeine and antioxidants than freshly brewed coffee.

To brew instant coffee in the field, follow these steps:

• Boil some water using any heat source that you have access to, such as a fire, a stove, or an electric kettle.
• Pour some hot water into a cup or mug.
• Add one packet or sachet of instant coffee per cup of water.
• Stir well until dissolved.
• Enjoy!

Tip: To improve the taste of instant coffee, you can add some sugar, creamer, milk, or spices (such as cinnamon or cardamom) to your cup.

Method 2: Cowboy Coffee

This is one of the oldest and simplest ways to brew coffee in the field. All you need is some ground coffee beans and some boiling water.

Cowboy coffee is made by boiling ground coffee beans directly in water without any filter or separation. It has a strong and robust flavor and aroma that can wake you up in the morning.

However, cowboy coffee also has some drawbacks. It usually has a lot of sediment and bitterness than filtered coffee. It also has more caffeine and acidity than filtered coffee.

To brew cowboy coffee in the field, follow these steps:

• Boil some water using any heat source that you have access to, such as a fire, a stove, or an electric kettle.
• Add one tablespoon of ground coffee beans per cup of water to the boiling water.
• Stir well and let it boil for a few minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let it settle for a few minutes.
• Carefully pour the coffee into a cup or mug, leaving the grounds at the bottom of the pot.
• Enjoy!

Tip: To reduce the sediment and bitterness of cowboy coffee, you can add some cold water or eggshells to the pot after boiling. This will help the grounds sink to the bottom and clarify the coffee.

Method 3: French Press

This is one of the most popular and versatile ways to brew coffee in the field. All you need is a French press, some ground coffee beans, and some hot water.

A French press is a device that consists of a cylindrical pot with a plunger and a metal filter. It allows you to steep ground coffee beans in hot water and then press them down to separate them from the brew.

French press coffee has a full-bodied and rich flavor and aroma that can satisfy any coffee lover. It also has more oils and solids than filtered coffee, which can enhance the mouthfeel and complexity of the coffee.

However, French press coffee also has some drawbacks. It usually has more sediment and bitterness than filtered coffee. It also has more caffeine and acidity than filtered coffee.

To brew French press coffee in the field, follow these steps:

• Boil some water using any heat source that you have access to, such as a fire, a stove, or an electric kettle.
• Grind some coffee beans to a coarse or medium-coarse consistency, depending on your preference. You can use a manual or electric grinder, or improvise with a mortar and pestle, a knife, or a rock.
• Add one tablespoon of ground coffee beans per cup of water to the French press pot.
• Pour some hot water over the grounds, enough to wet them and let them bloom for 30 seconds. This will release the gases and flavors from the beans.
• Pour the rest of the water over the grounds, filling up the pot.
• Stir well and put the lid on the pot with the plunger up.
• Let it steep for 4 minutes, or longer if you prefer stronger coffee.
• Slowly push down the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the pot.
• Carefully pour the coffee into a cup or mug, leaving the grounds at the bottom of the pot.
• Enjoy!

Tip: To keep your French press coffee warm and fresh, you can wrap the pot with a towel or a jacket, or place it in a cooler or a thermos.

Method 4: Pour Over

This is one of the most elegant and refined ways to brew coffee in the field. All you need is a pour over cone, a filter paper, some ground coffee beans, and some hot water.

A pour over cone is a device that consists of a cone-shaped holder with a hole at the bottom. It allows you to pour hot water over ground coffee beans in a filter paper and drip through by gravity.

Pour over coffee has a clean and smooth flavor and aroma that can highlight the nuances and subtleties of your coffee beans. It also has less oils and solids than unfiltered coffee, which can reduce the bitterness and acidity of the coffee.

However, pour over coffee also has some drawbacks. It usually requires more time and attention than other methods. It also requires more equipment and skills than other methods.

To brew pour over coffee in the field, follow these steps:

• Boil some water using any heat source that you have access to, such as a fire, a stove, or an electric kettle.
• Grind some coffee beans to a medium or medium-fine consistency, depending on your preference. You can use a manual or electric grinder, or improvise with a mortar and pestle, a knife, or a rock.
• Place a filter paper in the pour over cone and rinse it with some hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the cone. Discard the water.
• Add one tablespoon of ground coffee beans per cup of water to the filter paper in the cone.
• Place the cone over a cup or mug.
• Pour some hot water over the grounds, enough to wet them and let them bloom for 30 seconds. This will release the gases and flavors from the beans.
• Pour the rest of the water over the grounds in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward. Try to keep the water level consistent and avoid pouring on the edges of the filter paper.
• Wait until all the water has dripped through by gravity.
• Remove the cone and filter paper from the cup or mug.
• Enjoy!

Tip: To improve your pour over technique, you can use a gooseneck kettle that gives you more control over the water flow and direction. You can also use a scale and a timer to measure your coffee and water accurately and consistently.

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about how to brew coffee in the field. If you want to try some of the methods and equipment that I mentioned, you will need some quality coffee beans to go with them. And I have just the right recommendation for you: Aerial Resupply Coffee.

Aerial Resupply Coffee is a veteran-owned coffee brand that offers premium and gourmet coffee with amazing flavors and stories. They have a variety of roasts and blends to suit any taste and preference, from light and fruity to dark and smoky. 

Learn more about what we are doing here and check out more information from your new favorite coffee brand in the articles below: 

How to brew the best coffee with the right water to coffee grounds ratio

The ultimate guide to making cold brew coffee with whole beans

The difference is taste: Arabica versus Colombian supremo beans

Until next time, stay caffeinated!

Brian