Make Coffee When Traveling

I need coffee within about thirty minutes of waking up. Two reasons: I've convinced myself that I function better after drinking it and, more importantly, I love the ritual of making coffee at home.

For a long time, this ritual was sadly disrupted anytime I would travel. You know the situation--a packet of instant coffee or, at best, some pre-ground beans and a Mr. Coffee machine.

And then I figured out how to ensure I drink good coffee wherever and whenever I travel. Good news: So can you.

BEANS

The biggest issue with making coffee when traveling honestly isn't with Mr. Coffee (thought there are better options that I'll outline here), it's with the beans themselves. Coming across great coffee isn't an issue theses days and there are more high quality roasters than ever (Stumptown, Parlor, Tim Windelboe, and Intelligentsia, just to name a few). So, assuming you're either nearby a retailer that sells great coffee or have access to the internet, bring your own coffee on your trip.

GRIND

So you get your hotel room, premium beans in hand, and have absolutely nothing to grind them with. While you could pre-grind enough for the duration of your trip before leaving, you won't be getting the freshest coffee possible, as beans should be brewed as soon as possible after grinding. The solution? I purchased a smallhand-grinder from Hario. For $35, this conical grinder yields a precise grind (as opposed to inconsistent blade grinders) and is extremely portable. Match your grind consistency to brew method with this handy guide.

BREW

Finally, you'll need something to actually make the coffee with. Electric kettles are commonplace in hotels and, while they don't typically have the goose-neck spouts that are ideal for making pour-over coffee, they'll get the job done.

My brew method of choice at home and especially when on the road is a simple ceramic Bee House dripper. Unlike v60 and other popular pour-over methods, the Beehouse doensn't require multiple, timed pours. For more on how to use the Bee House, head over to Stumptown Coffee Roasters' excellent education department. 

Throw in a couple of #4 size paper coffee filters and that's it. You've got a perfect cup of coffee no matter where you are. You'll never have to settle for instant again.