For many travellers, brewing coffee is not just a preference but a necessity, even when they are far away from home.

If you feel lonely and homesick when you’re on the road, making your own brew can give you a sense of home and comfort amidst the unfamiliarity of travel.

Making your own brews also gives you the opportunity to explore and learn more about your destination. With the right coffee equipment in your luggage, you can experiment with local beans and brewing methods, deepening your appreciation for coffee culture worldwide.

Brewing your own coffee while travelling is a great way to create and remember moments of comfort and connection.

How to Make the Best Brews While Travelling

Making your own brews when you’re not at home poses a few challenges. However, with the right tips and tricks, you can enjoy superb coffee even when travelling.

Below are some of these helpful tips and tricks:

1. Use the right coffee beans.

Choosing the right coffee beans when brewing on the road is crucial for a flavourful cup.

If you’re buying coffee beans, select freshly roasted ones for the best aroma and taste. Make sure you consider the roast level and origin you prefer to personalise your brewing process and, at the same time, add a touch of familiarity and comfort to your beverage.

If you want to enjoy your favourite coffee beans on the go, bring them whole instead of ground since the former travels better. Place them in a Ziplock bag to preserve their freshness and prevent their smell from permeating your clothes.

2. Bring a burr coffee grinder.

Packing a burr coffee grinder in your luggage is a must if you’re bringing coffee beans and want to make great brews while travelling.

A burr coffee grinder won’t take up much space, which means you can easily pack it in your luggage or backpack. With this tool, you can get uniformly sized grounds to achieve optimal flavour extraction.

As you grind the beans by hand, you can experience a sense of fulfilment that enables you to enjoy your brew better. You can do this without making any noise or disturbing your roommate or neighbours.

3. Get a travel French press.

A travel French press is another must-have if you want to indulge in flavourful brews when you’re on the road. It lets you enjoy freshly brewed coffee anytime and anywhere.

This smart contraption is both a French Press and a travel mug. It works as a French press, meaning you can brew coffee in it by combining ground coffee and hot water.

However, its lid has a drinking spout, enabling you to drink straight from it. Some versions also include a regular lid to replace the plunger-type one and turn it into a travel mug as needed.

Because of this, a travel French press lets you enjoy freshly brewed coffee anywhere you go.

4. Consider bringing a moka or percolator pot.

If you’re staying at a hotel room or holiday rental with a kitchen, stove or induction hob, consider bringing a moka or percolator pot to make your brews.  

Moka and percolator pots are stovetop coffee makers that come in different sizes. As such, you can easily find one that can fit in your luggage and bring it out when you need a fresh coffee.

Both coffee makers are easy to use. Simply fill the pot with water and place ground coffee into the cone-shaped metal basket. Wait for it to boil and get freshly brewed coffee.

Although moka and percolator pots require a bit of work and a watchful eye (keeping them on the heat source for too long can burn your coffee), you can enjoy strong, espresso-like beverages when you bring one of these when you travel.

5. Invest in a pour-over coffee maker.

A pour-over coffee maker is another excellent option for travellers seeking the perfect cup on the go. It is compact and lightweight, so it fits into any travel bag, making it easy for you to bring it wherever your journey takes you.

The simplicity and portability of this coffee maker lets you make incredible brews wherever you go. With just hot water and ground coffee, you can create a rich and flavourful beverage tailored to your preference.

Since a pour-over coffee maker is manually operated, you can control all brewing variables, ensuring consistency and quality.

6. Bring a good-quality travel mug.

If you’re not using a travel French press, make sure you bring a travel-friendly mug or tumbler so you can drink your fresh brew on the go.

If you’re shopping for a travel mug, choose one with a double-walled, vacuum-sealed body for effective heat and cold retention. Also, pick one with a screw-on lid since pop-on covers tend to leak.

Additionally, opt for a travel mug with a rounded or thin lip for a more pleasant drinking experience. Lastly, if you often travel by air or land, ensure your mug can fit in car cup holders and can be safely tossed into your bag.

Brewing excellent coffee away from home is straightforward when you invest in a few simple, high-quality pieces of equipment. Whether you’re travelling for leisure, work, or business, you can enjoy the perfect brew wherever you go with these tips for choosing the very best coffee equipment and supplies.