Globetrotter Travel Coffee Kit Recommendations

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Published: March 3, 2019

Our recommended coffee kit for the globetrotting traveller willing to give up some packing room for close to hand coffee.

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Or if you need some help? Select one or more features for a coffee kit recommendation.

Taste

  • I just want caffeine
  • Drip coffee
  • Nearly espresso

Weight/Size

  • Super light
  • I can pack a bit more

Why Travel With Coffee?

  • Someone who plans ahead and does not want to get caught without a source of coffee that fits their strict tastes.
  • The frugal backpacker who can't afford to go to the coffee shop all the time.
  • A traveller out and about who is scared there may be no coffee at all available nearby.

Different Coffee Options

AeroPress

One of the most popular portable coffee makers is the AeroPress. Made of strong and durable plastic it should survive in your travel bag.

  • Metallic Filter (reusable so you don't have to worry about replacing paper filters. Just clean it off and use it again next time.)

  • Optional

    • Rhinowares Coffee Grinder (can fit inside an AeroPress). Freshly ground beans are much nicer than pre-ground coffee that will rapidly lose the flavor you crave.
    • Coffee Bean/Grind Airtight Container
    • Travel Kettle
    • Coffee mug
    • Kit bag
    • Thermos

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

Pour Over Filter

If you are a fan of pour over filter coffee, there are some great portable options that take up very little room in your bag.

The Coffee Brew Buddy is made up of a plastic rim with a mesh filter. Place the gadget on your mug, then pour, brew and drink in as little as 30 seconds. Flip the filter over and pour water for easy cleaning.

Depending on the coffee mug used, you may need to hold the Brew Buddy to keep the filter out of your coffee to stop the coffee steeping. It is a light and the the mesh filter folds flat, making it a good choice for your travel kit.

Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy

For those with a bit more room to spare, the Hario V60 is a very popular pour over coffee maker that should make you a better pour over coffee than the more portable pour over coffee makers. You will also need special cone paper filters on hand. There are many different versions of the Hario V60, but we like the clear plastic version because it is cheap, durable, light, see through so you can check what is happening and recommended as the best choice by coffee expert [Scott Rao in his brewing video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Qe_ASxfNM).

Hario V60 Clear Plastic Coffee Dripper, Size 02

French Press

The Espro comes with a patented double filter to try keep any coffee grit out. It is made from double-walled stainless steel, so it can keep your beverage hot for hours. Note that it makes 10 ounces of brewed coffee, but the press itself is 15 ounces. It takes paper filters, so your coffee will be less oily than some other coffee styles.

The Espro Travel Coffee Press comes in a range of colors. There is also a tea filter available to make 12 ounces of tea.

Espro Travel Coffee Press

Espresso

While the aforementioned AeroPress is very popular, many people feel it is not close to a real espresso in taste. Part of what makes an espresso is the pressure that forces the water through the coffee. However, making this pressure and being able to do it repeatedly takes a lot of engineering and a more complicated coffee making device. This also makes the espresso coffee maker more likely to be unreliable.

If you really want to get closer to the espresso experience on the go, you might like to try the Handpresso Wild. It can handle ground coffee as well as E.S.E Coffee Pods. Some people have reported that they break with parts like seals being susceptible after a while. The newer Wacaco Nanopresso is also another similar device that can handle coffee grinds, plus NS Capsules via an attachment.

Handpresso Wild Hybrid Coffee Machine

Portable Capsule Coffee Maker

If you like the ease of throwing in a coffee capsule, something like the Wacaco Nanopresso might fit into your kit nicely. This model is an improvement over the older Minipresso model. There is a Nespresso capsule adapter, but you can also use ground coffee. You pump with your hands to create up to 18 bar pressure.

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with NS Adapter

Portable K-Cup Coffee Maker

The Presto MyJo is capable of brewing from a K-Cup, but also comes with a basket you can fill with your own coffee grinds. The water can be microwaved in devices reservoir, or you can add your own hot water. There is a pump on top to push the water through and the coffee comes out the bottom into your coffee mug. It also works with tea and hot cocoa.

Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker

Portable Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Cold brew coffee is quite forgiving to brew and has a different taste to normal coffee. The cold brew process can produce a coffee with reduced bitterness and acidity than its hot brethren . It takes about 12-24 hours to make. After brewing, you should keep the cold brew cold, hence the name. For best taste results, drink it within a week before it starts to go stale. Leave it longer than 2 weeks and you might run the risk of mold.

The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a decent choice for travel as it is made from BPA free, shatterproof plastic, is dishwasher safe and comes with an airtight lid. Note that it is 1 quart (about 1 Litre) and hence not super small. Some people also find this model leaves some coffee grit, so you may need additional filtering, or want to look at different models.

Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Instant Coffee Sachets

Throw in some 3 in 1 or instant coffee sachets for when you need a quick or emergency coffee. Some people like the convenience of not having to measure, just open, empty into a mug and add hot water.

3 in 1 sachets often contain a lot of sugar, and maybe less coffee than you think.

If you don't need/like sugar, or milk substitute, you can buy sachets containing only instant coffee.

An option is to bring your own sugar or milk substitute if you believe it will be available.

Starbucks Via is a popular choice amongst the instant coffee drinkers.

Starbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast Dark Roast Coffee

Instant Coffee in an Air Tight Container

Buying instant coffee in bulk is the cheapest way to get your coffee fix. Stored correctly, it can last 12-18 months before starting to taste stale. Depending on how you travel, you might like to keep an air tight container with some instant coffee ready to go and refill it on your travels. As a bonus, instant coffee is also preferred over fresh if you need coffee for any cooking.

Other air tight containers for sugar and/or a milk substitute can be an option too.

Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee

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