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“It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine…”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
With temperatures warming up, many are looking to do a bit of travel. And if you are serious about your coffee, there are some steps to ensure you will truly enjoy your break from the routine. Here are a few of the best ways we have managed to do just that.
If you are lucky to find a local coffee roaster at your destination, the easiest option is simply a well-constructed Tumbler. We really love the one by Planetary Design. Made for everyday travel, the Adventure Tumbler features a spill-proof, lockable lid and is double-wall, vacuum insulated to keep hot drinks HOT (or cool things cool) for hours.
Where this is not a feasible option, there are other methods to make great coffee for camping or outdoor activities.
And here is a list of the things you will need:
Beans
This is the most crucial part. And believe it or not, we have made this mistake once. We forgot the coffee beans! What a tragedy! Once we recovered from the shock and shame, we were forced to drink what was available. Not good. So, assuming you’re either nearby a quality roaster or can have it shipped to you, don’t forget the beans.
Grinder
It is ideal to grind as close to brewing time as possible. Manual grinders are the best way to accomplish this since they are lightweight and portable. Plus, no electricity required. There is one significant difference among grinders, and that is the burrs—ceramic or stainless steel. You really can’t go wrong with either. A great stainless steel burr grinder is the VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder. If you prefer a ceramic burr grinder, a great option is the Hario Ceramic Grinder. Both weigh less than one pound and grind for 1-2 cups.
Can’t take a grinder? Have your coffee pre-ground (not ideal but better than nothing) and store it in an airtight container. Most roasters will package their coffee in bags with a gusset (one-way valve) to keep the coffee airtight and tasting fresh for longer.
Brew
One of our very favorite ways to make coffee is the French Press. It’s even our preferred method at home. The BruTrek Double Shot with Bru-Stop is a personal favorite. Bru-Stop press technology automatically stops any ground sediment from entering the brewed coffee when you press the plunger down, halting the process and preventing your brew from becoming over-extracted.
Another portable and versatile way to brew coffee is the Aeropress. This requires a little more practice and patience but you can achieve various brewing styles ( drip, espresso, cold brew, etc.) There are plenty of recipes using the Aeropress that are worth experimenting with.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember is to enjoy your time away from the routine and hopefully, these tips help you do just that. Also, if you are a local or just visiting our area, we are having our second Artisinal Market this Sunday, March 28th. So, stop by to sip and shop from some of our very talented local vendors.