REviews by mike lamarche Confession of a Camp Coffee Connoisseur True awakening comes not from caffeine. It’s all in the meditative brewing process. Here are three gadgets to help your quest for an enlightening brew.
I confess: The desire to create a delicious brew is why I am always the first to get up on trip. It’s not the addictive properties of caf- feine but rather the ritualistic sequence of small brewing tasks that has me
hooked.The sum of the parts is greater than the
whole.This act of brewing has crept into my psyche and stirred me from slum- ber on some of the most inhospitable mornings. As I tiptoe out of the tent the process
begins.As if on autopilot a
few steps from the door I gather the necessary items to create my morning masterpiece. I locate the small cache of fire materials that I carefully hid from the bonfire tendencies of late-night camp socialites and tuck them under my arm.With pot in hand I stroll down to the water’s
edge.As the sun begins to burn through the ris- ing mist I scoop water into the pot and watch the ripples spread out like a fan across the blank canvas-like
surface.Tramping toward the firepit I revel in the morning visions of simple tranquility. I am reminded that my actions have an effect on all that is around
me.It is easy to forget the relation we have with nature in the day to day happenings of urbanized life. As flames lick the tinder and begin to heat the cold pot of water,
my next task is to locate the coveted coffee grounds amidst the scat- tering of animal-proofed food supplies.With the grounds in hand, I approach the fire where my attention is directed toward diligently
feeding the fire with smaller twigs and branches.Why only smaller pieces you ask? By increasing the surface area of the burnable mate- rials, a hotter fire can be established quickly to boil the water as soon as possible. Once added, the grounds begin to mingle with the simmering water and it is at this point where the magic
begins.The subtle coaxing of coffee’s aroma alarm clock affects both the mind and the
body.The grogginess of sleep fades as the anticipation of sip- ping from a warmed cup causes Pavlovian salivation.With the process almost complete I am able to sit back, patiently wait and reflect. I think about the other small tasks done every day on trip and how they all come together to create a richer whole. Menu plan- ning, equipment choices, trip members and coffee brewing can have cataclysmic results on a trip into the backcountry if not taken seri- ously and given proper attention. The smell of campfire coffee has been known to draw individuals
buried in the depths of tent hibernation into the living world with startling efficiency. Sharing a cup and the ensuing conversation is by far the most gratifying part of the entire camp coffee process, espe- cially if you are not in a rush to get anywhere. Little do the late sleepers know that the caffeine jolt of a strong brew is second in stimulation to the realizations conjured while waiting for the coffee water to boil.
Ya rd-Sale-Special Percolator Capacity: 50fl. oz (1500ml)
Caffeine count: 53mg per 100ml Number of friends served: 7 Material: Aluminum Weight:
Surprisingly light Height: 8.5” (21cm) (10.25” or 26.6cm with handle extended)
Percolators are considered to be the Holy Grail of ritualistic camp coffee connoisseurs. The large, self-contained brewing machine is able to accommodate early risers and sleepyheads alike with a single brew. Used devices are elusive so scout local classifieds for a yard sale near you and make sure you are the first one there. Prices vary depending on your bartering skills. Try your luck on Ebay.
Pros: • Lightweight
• Able to serve a larger group
• Small D-ring percolator pouring handle on the backside for ease of serving
• Relatively inexpensive • Great on open fires and stoves
• Entertaining to watch the brewing process in the viewing dome
Cons: • Dents easily
• Bulky
• Brewing coffee in aluminum is apparently not healthy according to many coffee aficionados
• Not available at every summertime yardsale
40 Spring 2003
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