How to Have Great Coffee When You are Traveling

How To Have Great Coffee When You Are Traveling

Honestly, it was never really a major consideration. There is always coffee somewhere, right? The diner, the gas station, the free breakfast at the Inn, drive-thru, why would one even worry about such a thing?

Then, 6-7 years back, I fell deep into the coffee rabbit hole. I became semi-obsessed about understanding coffee, where it comes from, how it is processed and roasted, how to make it well. Fast forward to today. Now when I am making my travel plans and deciding what to pack, coffee is at the top of my list. Serious first world problems, I know!

I realize many of you will find my struggle ridiculous, and I have come to accept that those who consider coffee “break fluid” will never see eye to eye with someone who is in constant pursuit of the “god shot”. (look it up if you have to)

So, over the last several years I have developed a number of strategies to aid in my pursuit of my daily obsession, and for those of you who are making travel plans now, I hope in some small way I can help you avoid “bean water” and enhance your free time by making sure the coffee is just right.

The Location

If you are headed to a destination famed for its coffee culture, then most of your problem is solved. With a little research, you are a stone’s throw away from some amazing cups, you can travel lighter, and part of your daily schedule can include the exploration of the local coffee culture.

Some of these American cities include Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Orlando, Austin, Des Moines, Pittsburgh and New York. International acclaim for coffee can be found in Melbourne, Vienna, Rome, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Dubai City & Tokyo to name a few.

A couple of things to consider. In a city like Tokyo, (or really any other major city) there are stand out coffee places, but there are also just as much “whatever” coffee places. You may be a 20+ minute train ride away from a good café. This is where your research will really help.

Read the reviews, search for the spots, check the distances, and have a plan in place so you know where your next cup is coming from. Look for the local roasters, connect with the local coffee forums, and make a list. Seeking out local, high-quality cafes is a major part of my travel fun, and as important as seeing the sights is being in the right café at the right moment.

If you are headed to Houston, Las Vegas, Memphis, or Boston (yes I said it, the land of Dunkin’), Paris, or Madrid, you will really have to dig in hard to find the better offerings, or you can employ some other strategies to come.

The Chains

If you find yourself somewhere where the local pros are few and far between, don’t overlook the chains. They are not all the same, and here, due diligence is key, but many of the coffee houses that are household names will usually have something on the menu that you can enjoy. Knowing that these companies are clean, inspected, and consistent, it may not be your first choice, but if you need something better than the hotel coffee, they are surely an option.

Some names to look for include Kaldi’s, Peet’s, Stumptown, Starbucks, Caribou, and La Colombe. In these establishments, for coffee fans, knowing which drink to order is paramount. A simple Cortado at Starbucks or the Draft Latte at La Colombe, or the Iced Havanna Cappuccino at Peets, will at least be a pleasurable coffee experience.

The Coffee Kit

Recently, I have been traveling with a modified student case, with foam cutouts for my hand grinder, scale, French Press (which I can swap for an Aeropress), small goose neck, and a slot for my beans. If I can get decent hot water, no matter where I am, I can make a spectacular cup of coffee.

I once sat at the free breakfast in McAllen, Texas, at the La Quinta Hotel, staring lovingly at a Texas-shaped waffle while I made my Aeropress, and the cowboys next to me thought it was mysterious.

“Whaccha doin’ thar boy?”
“Making Coffee.”
“What’s wrong with the hotel coffee?”

It is in these moments that friendliness and openness win the day.

“Well, gentlemen, I work in coffee, and we’re not allowed to drink just anything. In fact, I am pressing a 100% Kona Medium Roast Typica right now, and if you guys wanna try a sip, get a cup, and the taste will answer your questions.”

Texans are a good and friendly people for the most part, and can also appreciate the finer things, so the authenticity of a better cup is self-evident.

One of the other drawbacks of traveling with my coffee case is TSA. Every time I’m moving through the airports, TSA very suspiciously inspects my coffee case, the scale seems very suspicious and when you try to explain why you need to carry it with you, it sounds a little weird. So far, I have always been able to get through.

If you are headed to a conference for a few days, the notorious bad hotel coffee is to be avoided at all costs. In the intermission of the breakout sessions, bring your kit and share with a couple of new friends. I guarantee they will bond with you over really great coffee, and you will move into a special place in their heart.

Grab & Go

If I am suddenly in an unknown land, without my coffee gear, and can’t stomach the coffee offering being presented, I have found some grab and go coffee products that I like. In countries like Japan and Korea you can get them from vending machines hot or cold, other places at the market.

I try to avoid the sugared coffee offerings, so while a Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew can be a treat, vanilla sweet cream is the leading note. I have also found that while I am a fan of light roasted coffee, I don’t feel it lends itself well to being canned. I am waiting for someone to prove me wrong on this.

A Stumptown Hair Bender Nitro Cold Brew can be very satisfying, as well as a UCC Black and a Wandering Bear Cold Brew. There will be a period of trial and error here, and you will need to sip coffees you don’t like to find the ones you do, but having few options in this category can sometimes save the day.

Outdoor

I am a big fan of the Bialetti Moka Pot, and have spent a great deal of time refining the recipe I use for it. (10:1 ratio with a 13 micron grind) It is hands down my favorite brewing device for camping, glamping, rafting and RVing. If you have a heat source (fire, BBQ, Gas Stove) you can have a very rustic and satisfying cup of coffee, no paper filter required, easy water/wipe cleaning, and all screws together for convenient transport and its indestructible.

I can’t explain why, but don’t get the cheap knock offs. There are endless imitations of Moka Pots and, in my opinion, they just don’t taste as good as the original Bialetti. Would love to hear if others have the same experience.

Some other things I have tried and didn’t like include the fold-out paper single-cup pour-over, coffee in tea bags, high-end instant coffees (I just can’t), and trying to doctor bad coffee with salt and other additions. Percolator coffee is not my favorite, but it is better than those mentioned above.

So, there you have it. Good beans, good brew methods, a little skill, and you can have great coffee anywhere. If you are absent these things, seek, and you shall find, but a little pre-planning goes a long way. Start high on the list and work your way down as needed.

Avoid the junky pitfalls and learn to choose wisely, and your trip (and coffee) are sure to be that much better!

Happy sipping!