As a self-described coffee snob, I like to think I have my routines down pretty tight. I brew larger batches for my partner and myself on my fancy SCA-certified automatic brewer. I have three different options for pour-over. And of course, I try a lot of espresso when I visit coffee shops. I’ve even gotten pretty good at timing my coffee consumption to the same time each day.
But recently, I took a week off of work to go on vacation, and my routine was upended. It wasn’t just the kind of coffee I drank. It was timing, caffeine level, all of it. And I’m going to assume that if you are also a self-reported coffee snob, you’ve been here too. Set in your carefully maintained routines at home but struggling to keep them when you travel.
In which case, this guide is for you. Follow here for guidance on how to keep your coffee routine when you’re not at home.
Know Your Resources, Know Your Water
Before you head out, get a sense of what sort of coffee setup you’ll have. Are you staying in an AirBnB? If so, there may be a cheap automatic brewer there, which isn’t nothing! But if you’re in a hotel room, you might have to settle for a Keurig. Or at best, whatever drip they have in the continental breakfast. Are you going camping? Well then, you’ll really be roughing it when comes to brewing options.
Regardless of where you’ll stay, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. And a here’s a big one. Know what water you’ll have access to. Additionally, know how you’ll be able to heat water up. Here in Chicago where I live, the tap water is pretty metallic-tasting. So I use a filter whenever I brew coffee. Will you have access to decent water? Will you need to provide it for yourself? And if you want to brew on something other than an automatic brewer, find out if you’ll have a stovetop kettle or some other instrument to heat water.
Consider a Travel Kit
Once you’ve estimated, to the best of your ability, what kind of coffee setup and water situation you’re walking into, consider assembling a travel kit. We’ve recommended a coffee travel kit on this site before. The same recommendations apply here.
Bring coffee beans you know you like. Nothing is more disappointing than showing up to your vacation and the only coffee available is some ultra-dark roasted abomination from one of the big chains. I personally recommend bringing coffee you know you like. Already-ground is okay, but whole beans are ideal. And speaking of…
Bring your own grinder. Hand grinders are an excellent way to get high-quality coffee without breaking the bank or having to lug a big countertop machine with you on the road. Because they work so well for travel, many can be purchased with a case. Grinding beans right before you brew is always the best option for getting fresh, big flavors. A hand grinder would be an excellent addition to your luggage.
Bring an AeroPress. If stock brewers just won’t cut it, an AeroPress (or AeroPress Go) is a fantastic travel-friendly brewer. It’s compact, versatile, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a gooseneck kettle to make a good pour-over.
Bring your own water. If freshness, flavor, or general availability of your water is in question, bring your own clean water. You could even opt for something like Third Wave Water if you really want to. A container of filtered water packed ahead of time could also work just fine.
Keep Caffeine Consistent
When I first started drinking coffee, I learned from the example of my parents. My mom and dad were, and still are, comfortable drinking coffee at any time of day. It was not uncommon for there to be an evening pot brewed after dinner. Naturally, I followed suit and drank coffee whenever I felt like having some. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve chosen to dial back my caffeine intake after the midday. This has mostly meant adding decaf to my coffee diet.
If you’re in a similar mindset, scheduling your caffeine intake to specific times of day, sticking to that while you travel can prevent you from taking on a strange sleep schedule or offset gut. Whether that means introducing decaf at a certain point in the day, even bringing some with you, or just not seeking coffee in the evening, do what makes sense for you. Whatever caffeine schedule you follow at home, try to do the same when you’re not at home.
Allow Some Flexibility
As much as I hate to admit it, no fine-tuned coffee routine can be perfectly replicated while you’re traveling. There’s no accounting for all the ways that said travel will throw your coffee habits for a loop. So the last, and possibly best, piece of advice I can give is to give yourself some flexibility. Take the opportunity, if you’re willing, to try something new. One of the best coffee experiences I ever had was the first time I tried Turkish coffee as the dessert course at an Ethiopian restaurant. It was late in the day, and it was unfamiliar. But it was fantastic.
Ultimately, it’s up to you how you take your coffee. If you’ve found yourself frustrated by the options you see when you’re not at home, we hope this guide here points you in the right direction. As always, happy brewing!