I love coffee and probably drink to much (puts the coffee water on)...
I find coffee best made from beans of good quality, freshly ground and then made fresh in either a french press or (I have no idea what it is called) the little basket that sits on top of your coffee cup.
I also really like coffee made 'cowboy style' in a pot with the grounds in it, over a campfire Yum! the scenery usually makes up for the 'thickness' lol. The best way to sink the grounds if made this way is after the coffee has boiled (for just a sec) take it off and let it sit for a minute, then pour in a splash of cold water. This will settle all the grounds. Just watch out for that last cup at the bottom of the pot!!!
As a side note, I have actually gone so far as to buy raw coffee beans and roast them myself. It is not at all hard to do. All you need is some type of metal pan and a source of heat. You can use either a frypan on the stove on med heat or a cookie pan in the oven. You just watch the beans and when they begin to turn color or roast, you take them off at the desired color. Lighter colored beans= lighter roast and flavor, dark nearly black beans=dark roast and more flavor (less caffeine) If you love coffee and want to stock up a lot, raw beans are the way to go. the beans will last for years if unroasted. Once they are roasted they begin loosing their 'coffeeness' almost immediately.
Luke