Coffee on board: Ideas and tips for the best pick-me-up - without electricity
YACHT-Redaktion
· 09.09.2023
As an aromatic wake-up call for breakfast, to revitalise during the dog watch or simply for a relaxing afternoon at anchor - coffee is a must on every motor yacht. In many cases, the brown hot drink is so popular that it has replaced the classic mooring sip. Instead of high-proof spirits, fresh coffee is served after mooring.
But before the delicious pick-me-up can slosh into your cup, it first has to be prepared. Without a powerful shore power connection, the filter machines or one-button coffees from the fully automatic machine, pod or capsule machine that you are used to at home are out of the question for the time being. But that doesn't mean that enjoyment has to suffer. On the contrary, the necessary ingredients and hot water are also available at sea and on the jetty.
Not too hot water for the coffee on board
The hotter the water is, the more ingredients and therefore flavour the coffee releases into the water. However, not all ingredients are desirable, as the beans also contain tannic acids. Too much of this and the coffee on board becomes a bitter brew and leads to heartburn.
Roughly speaking, if the water is too cold, the coffee will be flat, if it is brewed too hot, it will roast and become bitter. The optimum temperature is around 94 degrees. In everyday life, however, a thermometer is not necessary when making coffee on board. It is sufficient if the water has stopped bubbling before pouring.
Regardless of which brewing method is used, if the flavour experience is not right, it usually helps to vary the amount of powder or the water temperature slightly. In addition, the choice of bean, growing region, roast and grind offer plenty of scope for experimentation.
Tip: If you want your coffee on board like the sailors of old, add a small pinch of salt to your coffee. As people once only washed up with seawater, salt was in almost every dish and drink.
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The different preparation methods for the coffee on board:
Soluble coffee or filterless
The quickest option for coffee on board is instant coffee, simply pour a spoonful of the freeze-dried powder into the cup, pour over and stir. This produces a warm, brown liquid, but the flavour is questionable.
If in doubt, you are no worse off pouring plain coffee powder into a cup and waiting briefly for the powder to settle before drinking. The coarsely ground powder is briefly boiled in a kettle and once it has settled, the result is a drinkable brew. However, due to the long contact between water and coffee, the result is usually very strong and slightly bitter, not to mention the inevitable coffee grounds crumbs.
Petromax percolator
It looks like a real outdoor veteran and it is: the Petromax percolator. It is available in various sizes with a capacity of between 1.3 and 4.2 litres for the slightly larger crew. Both the enamel and stainless steel models can withstand all types of fire and heat: it works on the grill grate, in the hot embers of the campfire as well as on the hob or ceramic hob - and of course also on a gas or spirit cooker. The Petromax percolator also tolerates dried tea leaves, which is why it is equally suitable for making coffee and tea. Depending on size and material: The Enamel model from 48.50 euros, the Stainless steel model from 69.90 euros.
Coffee on board from the bag
Growers Cup
The coffee on board is completely crumb-free and also very flavourful with the Growers Cup bag coffee from Coffebrewer in Denmark. The bag is torn open at the top, filled with 0.5 litres of hot water and resealed. After five to eight minutes, you can serve straight from the bag. The contents of one bag are enough for about three cups. Preparation is almost foolproof and the resulting coffee flavour is amazingly good. The bag is reusable. The bag costs from 2.44 euros Variety Colombia up to 5.46 Euro Variety Guatemala*. The Holder for the bags* are available from 4.44 euros.
Coffee on board by filter
On land, classic, hand-brewed filter coffee is currently experiencing a renaissance. It could hardly be simpler: place the filter on the pot, insert and rinse the paper, measure out the amount of powder and slowly pour hot water over it.
But the trick is in the detail. What works perfectly at home on the kitchen sideboard proves to be a shaky construction in the galley while in harbour. All too quickly, the coffee brewing process on board ends abruptly with a capsize. It's amazing how many nooks and crannies the spilt and hot coffee grounds are able to penetrate.
Westmark permanent filter
Practical permanent coffee filter - size 4 - made of plastic with stainless steel mesh for brewing coffee powder for 8-12 cups of fresh coffee, suitable for standard coffee machines or hand coffee filters. The permanent filter sustainably replaces disposable filter bags and offers full-bodied coffee enjoyment thanks to the particularly fine stainless steel sieve, easy insertion and removal thanks to the large plastic handle, easy cleaning. The 2-piece set* are available from 12.99 euros.
Collapsible coffee filter
Filter paper #2 is placed in the packable silicone holder. 50 pieces are included. The foldable design saves a lot of space and makes storage a breeze. Perfect for the small pantry. Holder + 50 filters* from 10.99 euros.
Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper without filter
Purists and practitioners simply filter their coffee directly into the thermos flask: this keeps it hot for a long time and ensures a quick cup of coffee on the go. The X-Brew Coffee Dripper from Sea to Summit can be folded up small after use and therefore hardly takes up any space in the cupboard. The best thing about it is that you don't need filter bags and thus avoid unnecessary waste. From 21.58 euros.
Press pot, ideal for coffee on board
Making coffee with a press pot is much more relaxed and involves less risk of scalding. Whether this is from Bodum or one of the various other manufacturers, the coffee doesn't care. However, the stainless steel mesh of the plunger must seal well, otherwise coffee grounds will be flushed to the top when it is pressed down.
This very simple and quick preparation method is also known as the French press and is used by professionals to judge the roasting result. As it works without a filter, the process does not distort the flavour of the beans.
French Press
Probably the simplest and most convenient way to make coffee on board is with a coffee plunger, also known as a French Press mentioned. Prices vary between 38 and 52 euros depending on the size of the original.
GSI Outdoors Java Press
In contrast to the tried and tested classic made of glass from Bodum, the GSI Outdoors Java Press is made of plastic and comes with a nylon sleeve. This not only keeps the coffee warm for longer, but also protects the jug from knocks if it rolls back and forth in the cupboard. 44 euros.
Espresso instead of coffee on board
It becomes more difficult when an espresso, latte macchiato or cappuccino is desired instead of a normal coffee. To achieve the typical flavour of these drinks, not only are dark roasted beans required, but the hot water must also be pressed through the finely ground powder at high pressure.
Without machine support, the so-called mocha is the best approach. The classic, octagonal aluminium pot, for example from the original manufacturer Bialetti, works well on the boat cooker and produces a strong, espresso-like coffee. At least if you follow a few tricks: The water should be poured in hot, otherwise the coffee will be on the cooker for too long, roast and become bitter. Do not press down the powder and remove the pot from the heat as soon as the coffee is ready. However, the comparatively low pressure does not produce a crema.
Bialetti Moka Express
Often copied, tried and tested for decades and almost impossible to break even under the toughest conditions, the Bialetti Moka Express, which are available in different versions and sizes: Made of aluminium or stainless steel, for one or twelve cups and for everything in between. Suitable for all cooker variants. Model for three cups around 25 euros.
Crema by hand for the coffee on board
Manual pressure is required to generate the light brown foam cap without the aid of electricity.
The Handpresso machine The coffee pump is reminiscent of a bicycle air pump. After the pressure tank has been pumped up to 16 bar, the coffee powder is placed in a small portafilter and hot water is poured in. A cup of espresso can then be tapped. The only disadvantage is that you have to pump frequently to cater for a larger crew, as only one cup can be prepared at a time. 129 euros.
Wacaco Minipresso GR
The principle is similar to that of the Handpresso, except that coffee and hot water are filled in first and then the water is pressed through the coffee using the pump recessed into the side. Wacaco Minipresso*, 59.90 euros.
It's all about the bean
The choice of bean, growing region, roast and grind determine the flavour experience. No matter which preparation method you ultimately choose: The beans only develop their full flavour when freshly ground.
XEOLEO Manual coffee grinder
For travelling, the XEOLEO Manual coffee grinder: It doesn't take up much space in the cupboard and ensures the best coffee enjoyment every morning. 60 euros.
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