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Call Me Extra, But I Won’t Go On Vacation Without My Travel Coffee Kit

A lukewarm coffee pod is no way to treat jet lag.
Travel Coffee Kit
Photo by Laura Murray

Let me start by saying there are people who breeze through an airport with only a carry-on, four wrinkle-proof garments, and a toothbrush tucked into their tiny rolly bags. I am not that person. I always check. I mean, are you kidding me? Have you traveled with kids?

Before you scoff, there is a silver lining. Hauling all that kid stuff around means I always have a little luggage space for my (very extra) travel coffee set up. Which I never, ever travel without. Waking up to a hotel coffee machine spitting tepid water over a single-serving packet of instant grind…well, that’s a sure-fire way to not get into the vacation groove. So, yes, bringing your own set up is a little high-maintenance freaky, but I like precision (I am the person who just convinced you to use a kitchen scale on everything from flour to pasta, after all). And, I’m the Test Kitchen’s resident coffee nerd, so roll with me. Here’s everything I bring to guarantee I start the day right, so you can too.

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    Photo by Laura Murray
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    A Mini Grinder

    Yes, you could pre-grind your coffee before your trip, but in for a penny, in for a pound. Still, I would never suggest bringing an electric grinder—that’s just crazy, even for the coffee obsessed. This tiny hand mill is the perfect in-between. Its packable, durable, and spills out even, fragrant grounds every time.

    Buy it: Hario Mini Mill, $30 on Amazon

  • Photo by Laura Murray
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    A Compact Electric Kettle

    In the Test Kitchen we rely on a bigger (and pricier) kettle by Breville, but this conical little electric guy by Hario is perfect for travel. It’s lightweight, has a precise, slender spout, and the cord wraps up neatly underneath the power plate. Plus, it reminds me of those gorgeous (but clunky, and expensive, and not electric) high-design kettles by Alessi.

    Buy it: Hario V60 Buono Kettle, $85 at Crate & Barrel

  • Photo by Laura Murray
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    An On-the-Go Press

    The AeroPress is a really pleasant self contained brewing system, which is perfect for those drowsy mornings when you can’t find the lightswitch in your hotel room. You just put your grounds and hot water into the chamber, invert it, and press it out into a drinking cup. The end. The kit comes with a lot of other doodads, but the truth is, you can leave half of them at home. Just make sure you don’t travel without a few of the little paper filters, the two-piece chamber, filter caps, and funnel, and you’re good to go.

    Buy it: AeroPress Coffee Maker, $30 on Amazon

  • Photo by Laura Murray
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    A Bag of Beans

    I often pack a bag of Intelligentsia beans with me for every trip. Right now I’m liking the Otoño Blend—it’s got fall-ish flavors of apple and plum, and  a really luscious little hint of brown sugar. Two others I love are Luna Coffee, a Vancouver-based brand that has consistently stellar light roasts, and Counter Culture, a stand out in the single-origin game. All of them have subscription programs to make sure you’re always stocked.

    Buy it: Intelligentsia Otoño Blend, $19 at Intelligentsia    

    Buy it: Lüna Techno Peach Blend, $19 at Lüna Coffee     

    Buy it: Counter Culture Finca La Victoria, $18 at Counter Culture

  • Photo by Laura Murray
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    A Reusable Bottle

    The cup is a key component, because you need to use a decent amount of pressure to plunge an AeroPress—if you put a dinky paper hotel room cup under there you’ll end up with a wet crumple. Any real cup will do, but I’ve been partial to these bottles by Miir recently thanks to their wide mouths and super tightly sealable lids. It keeps things hot or cold, so you can rinse it and use it for water while you’re out and about—or that midday pick-me-up cold brew from that cool coffee shop in town.

    Buy it: Miir Insulated Wide Mouth 16oz Bottle, $28 on Amazon

  • Photo by Laura Murray
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    A Kit Keeper

    To keep it all together, I use a canvas pouch from Klein Tools. They come in a bunch of different sizes and have sturdy zippers that can withstand a little overstuffing. That way, you can just keep the pouch packed and ready to go. You know, right next to your travel dopp kit. And your travel cooking kit. And your travel snack kit…

    Buy it: Klein Tools Canvas Pouch, $17 at Home Depot

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