Begin your trip with an assault on the senses in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city.
This sprawling metropolis is full of roadside street food stalls serving up delicious local cuisine until all hours, and a wild nightlife scene that doesn’t stop until sunrise.
Bangkok also features many must-see attractions, including Wat Arun, shown in main article image above, a majestic riverside temple, and the stunning Grand Palace, the former residence of Thailand’s royalty.
When you’ve had enough of Bangkok, travel north to explore the ancient ruins of Sukhothai.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sukhothai Historical Park features ruins from the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom of the 13th and 14th centuries.
Week 2: Chiang Mai
After Sukhothai, you can catch a bus or a train to Chiang Mai.
Surrounded by lush jungle and mountainous scenery, Chiang Mai is the perfect location to go hiking, white-water rafting, or motorcycling. There are also some great night markets in the city, selling all manner of souvenirs and delicious food.
The people of Chiang Mai are friendly, and the Lanna culture of the north is worth learning about because it’s distinctly different from the rest of the country.
Be sure to treat yourself to a Thai massage when you’re in Chiang Mai because the city is famous for its spa and wellness centres.
Week 3: Northern Laos and Luang Prabang
The next stage of your journey takes you to Luang Prabang, a tranquil city in the north of Laos.
You’ll travel by two-day slow boat from the border town of Huay Xai, just a five-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai. The slow boat offers ample opportunity to relax while you take in the beautiful scenery of the Mekong river.
When you arrive in Luang Prabang, prepare to fall in love with its charm.
You’ll also be impressed with how clean it is. Simply sit along the waterfront and relax with some delicious Laotian food while you watch the sunset. Be sure to check out the Kuang Si waterfall when you’re in town because it is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Southeast Asia.
Week 4: Vang Vieng and Vientiane
Surrounded by a gorgeous karst landscape, Vang Vieng is a great place to relax for a few days.
Vang Vieng is a three-hour bus journey from Luang Prabang, and you’ll want to keep your eyes open for this trip because the scenery is incredible.
The town itself formerly had a reputation as a party town, but this has changed recently due to a government crackdown and because many young tourist were injured and even died while inebriated and partying in the water.
The main attraction of Vang Vieng is tubing. This involves riding down the Nam Song River on a rubber ring while you admire the glorious scenery.
The capital city of Laos, Vientiane, is just three hours from Vang Vieng.
While it’s not a hectic city like other capital cities in this region, Vientiane is a charming place to spend time.
You can go temple-hopping for a day and then relax in the evening with a beer beside the Mekong river.
Vientiane is also a great place to get to know Laotian cuisine, and it’s a good idea to do a cookery course in the city before moving on to Cambodia.
The capital city of Phnom Penh is a good place to start in Cambodia because you get to learn about the country’s dark history under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Visit the heartbreaking Killing Fields where the Cambodian dictator Pol Pot sent millions of people to be executed. Phnom Penh isn’t the happiest place to go, but it’s important to learn about the country’s tragic past.
The next part of your journey takes you to the stunning Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap.
This attraction often makes it to the top of the world’s must-see destinations, and it’s easy to see why.
The complex was built by King Suryavarman II during the period of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia. Prepare to be blown away by both the size of the complex and the intricate architecture.
Week 6: Kampot and Otres Beach
The final leg of your journey is in the south of Cambodia.
Your first stop is Kampot, a sleepy riverside town famous for the production of peppercorns. You can visit temples, go to the local markets, or even visit a peppercorn farm. Make sure to try some crab with Kampot pepper for a truly delicious Cambodian dish.
Finally, you can spend a couple of days on stunning Otres Beach. With pristine white sand and clear turquoise water, Otres Beach is an idyllic location.
Feel free to relax by the sea with some Cambodian food, and get a cheap foot massage. This slice of paradise is the perfect way to finish your six-week trip in Southeast Asia.
The Simple Modern Summit water bottle is styled for superior functionality and exceptional durability.
It's available in lots of different colors and patterns. You can easily purchase one for everyone in the family or in your hiking group and the bottles never get mixed up due to so many colors being available.
If you appreciate the opportunity to stay hydrated without the need to find a water fountain, this is the bottle for you.
Simple Modern donates 10% of its profits to help others as part of its core mission to provide excellence in high quality products along with a spirit of generosity.
The Simple Modern Summit water bottle is an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, sports enthusiasts, beach goers, and just about anyone who enjoys drinking water or coffee throughout the day.
This bottle is ideal for people who want to stay hydrated throughout the day but who prefer not to purchase bottled water. The large size keeps water cold all day long and coffee hot all morning long.
It is perfect for individuals who are sensitive to heat and coldness. The insulated design keeps beverages hot or cold without changing the temperature of the bottle's exterior. It is even attractive enough to give as a gift.
What's Included?
The Simple Modern Summit water bottle is a vacuum-insulated container available in several sizes. It has a built-in handle that offers a second option for carrying your bottle. It comes with two lids, providing versatility and convenience.
The stainless steel lid screws on and off the container easily, providing a leak-proof seal, while also allowing for fast chugging of the bottle's contents.
The splash-proof flip lid has a smaller opening that is perfect for drinking cold or hot beverages without the risk of sloshing your beverage. Both lids are dishwasher safe.
Overview of the Features
The Simple Modern Summit water bottle keeps your beverage cold or hot for hours. It is double walled and vacuum insulated.
An added layer of insulation is offered by a thin coating of premium copper on the exterior of the inner wall of the vacuum sealed area. With this design, there is no more worrying about dropping your water bottle because it is too cold or letting go of your coffee container because it is too hot.
Each bottle is crafted from premium gauge 18/8 stainless steel and is powder coated with a durable matte finish. It never rusts. It is strong and durable even if you accidentally drop it.
It is easy to clean and smooth on the outside. It is available in 42 vibrant colors, including solid and patterned options.
This design is sold in four sizes, including 14 oz, 18 oz, 22 oz, and 32 oz. Each size is designed to fit most cup holders.
Smaller sizes are highly portable and pocket-friendly. The 32-oz bottle provides the flexibility of allowing you to carry more liquid with you.
The larger the size of the bottle is, the longer your beverage remains hot or cold. The time frame ranges from 6 to 12 hours for hot beverages and 14 to 28 hours for cold beverages.
This design features a wide mouth that allows you to pour liquids into it easily. It is wide enough to allow you to drop in several ice cubes or pour in soups or stews.
Each purchase includes two lids that are interchangeable with all sizes of this water bottle.
You get a leak-proof stainless steel lid that is double wall insulated and screws onto the bottle. The inside of this lid is BPA-free plastic. You also get a splash-proof flip lid with a small opening.
How to Use
The Simple Modern Summit water bottle is easy to use. Just fill it up, put on one of the lids, and take it with you.
The handle provides an easy way to carry your water bottle. You can also use the handle to attach your bottle to your backpack.
Whether you fill your bottle with ice and water or hot soup, it will never develop condensation. You never have to worry about leaving a ring of water on your furniture or in your cup holder.
Cleaning is a cinch, especially if you use the Summit bottle brush with replaceable brush head. You can see how easy it is to clean in the video below.
Alternative
If you are looking for a bottle that weighs less than the Simple Modern Summit water bottle, the Polar Bottle insulated water bottle provides an excellent option.
It is made from food-grade polyethylene plastic, so it is incredibly lightweight. It offers comparable features with a wide mouth and double wall construction.
The 24-oz size is the most popular one, but other sizes are available. It has a removable carrying strap, and you can even pop it into the freezer. The Polar Bottle cleans easily as well. It is also Phthalate-free and BPA-free.
Conclusion
With the Simple Modern Summit water bottle, you can bring filtered water with you anywhere. You have several sizes and lots of colors to consider when you make your purchase. The price is reasonable, too.
This water bottle provides a convenient way to tote your beverages around with you. It keeps ice cubes frozen and coffee hot for hours.
You never have to worry about it falling out of your hands, because no condensation ever occurs.
This bottle is easy to store and fits into most cabinets. It is a good choice for road trips, sporting events, camping, hiking, home, and the office.
Wide-mouth design compatible with several lids as well as many backcountry water filters
What We Don't Like
Doesn't always keep beverages hot as long as advertised
Doesn't fit standard bicycle bottle racks
A bit on the heavy/bulky side for certain outdoor activities
Whether it's a lazy summer's day spent poolside, a game of touch football at the park, or a vigorous day hike in the foothills, staying hydrated is easy with the Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle on hand.
The sturdy construction of pro-grade stainless steel and BPA-free plastic and the broad mouth define this water bottle, which comes enhanced by Hydro Flask's patented TempShield™ Insulation and a grippy powder coat.
It's a fine choice for beverages of both the hot and cold variety, and for settings from the office desk and the playing field to the backcountry campsite and the sea kayak.
The Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle serves the needs of just about anybody looking to remain hydrated all day long.
It's a handy and leakproof container to bring along to work or school, stow in the car for a road trip, or haul along for hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other outdoor adventures.
Whatever your beverage of choice--from steaming coffee or tea to ice water or a fresh-made smoothie--the Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth is designed to keep the hot stuff hot and the cold stuff cold for hours on end as you go about the day's work or play.
What's Included?
The Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle comes with the Hydro Flask Flex Cap, which includes a flexible holding strap secured with stainless-steel pivots.
The Wide Mouth is also compatible with Hydro Flask's Wide Straw and Wide Flip lids, but those are sold separately.
You can choose between four different sizes of water bottle:--18 oz. (532 ml), 32 oz. (946 ml), 40 oz. (1180 ml), or 64 oz. (1900 ml), the latter being basically a growler-sized jug--and a wide array of colors, from flamingo pink and mango orange to pure black or white.
Overview of the Features
At the (literal) core of the Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle's performance is the TempShield™ construction: a double-walled, vacuum insulation designed to keep cold liquids cold for 24 hours and hot ones hot for 12 hours.
The exterior of the Wide Mouth boasts the Hydro Flask powder coat, which, along with the TempShield™ Insulation, helps ward against the formation of exterior condensation and improves both the bottle's grip and its all-around durability.
A Hydro Flask bottle filled with piping-hot goodness won't be hot to the touch.
In terms of materials, the Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle is made from BPA- and phthalate-free plastic and food-grade 18/8 stainless steel meant to keep your beverage tasting pure and untainted.
The Flex Cap comes with its own Honeycomb Insulation to contribute to the sealed-off temperature maintenance. Its strap makes the bottle easy to hoist and carry around.
As mentioned above, you can also choose to accessorize with the Hydro Flask Wide Straw Lid or Wide Flip Lid for convenient on-the-go sipping.
Backcountry travelers will appreciate the Wide Mouth's compatibility with many water filters.
All the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth sizes have mouth diameters of 58 mm (2.28 in.) except for the 40-oz. bottle, which has a 48.5-mm (1.91-in.) opening. These broad openings make it easy, for example, to plunk in some ice cubes.
The width of the Wide Mouth's bottom, meanwhile, ranges from 74 mm (2.91 in.) for the 18-oz. bottle, 91 mm (3.56 inches) for the 32- and 40-oz. bottles, and 119.6 mm (4.7 inches) for the hefty 64-ouncer.
The 18-oz. Wide Mouth stands the shortest at 199 mm (7.8 inches) tall, while the 40-oz. bottle is the tallest at 260 mm (10.2 inches).
Weight-wise, the bottles range from 343 grams for the 18-oz. bottle to 794 grams for the 64-oz. jug.
How to Use
Obviously using a water bottle such as the Hydro Flask Insulated Wide Mouth isn't rocket science. That said, the company recommends this handy test to make sure the bottle's insulation is working as it should.
Place the bottle on a sturdy surface and fill it with boiling water; don't hold it while you do so. Keep the cap off. After roughly five minutes have passed, feel along the exterior of the bottle below the neck.
If you notice any "hot spots," the bottle's insulation is compromised and you should be able to replace your Wide Mouth from the company or potentially through a third-party retailer you purchased from.
Alternative
Hydro Flask offers a whole range of different water bottles, including Standard Mouth models.
You might choose instead one of the company's coffee mugs or flasks, or maybe the specialized party- or campfire-ready containers it offers for beer, wine, and spirits.
Keep in mind that you'll likely want a different size/design of water bottle when you're looking to attach it to a bicycle bottle rack, as the Wide Mouth is too hefty for most standard racks.
Conclusion
Hydro Flask's double-wall vacuum TempShield™ Insulation and powder-coat exterior make the company's Wide Mouth water bottle an excellent choice for storing both hot and cold beverages.
The durable construction particularly recommends the Wide Mouth for outdoor and sporty activities (though you might consider outfitting it with the Hydro Flask Straw or Flip Lid for the purpose), but really it's a fine choice for anybody looking for a long-lasting, up-for-hard-knocks hydration companion.
Iced coffee is one of the most delicious drinks in the world – especially in the hot summer months. No matter the season, no matter the reason, iced coffees always hit the spot.
Americans aren’t the only ones enjoying iced coffee beverages, around the world iced coffees and espresso drinks are popular. There’s more to an iced coffee then, well, ice and coffee.
In the northwest, where American fascination with coffee was born, an iced coffee includes very little flavoring or sweeteners. Seattleites will pour a shot of hot espresso over a cup of ice and add a bit of coffee to fill it to the top.
In California, iced coffee drinks are often created by filling a cup with ice, adding milk about half way up the cup then topping off with strong coffee. A squeeze or two of caramel and whipped cream topping finishes it off.
Coffee lovers on the east coast dig coffee martinis. Cold brewed coffee is mixed with vodka and a splash of coffee liquor, shaken in a martini shaker and served in an iced martini glass.
In France, they like their iced coffee sweet and syrupy. After brewing a strong cup of Joe, they add sugar cubes and spices before stirring and adding ice.
Iced Coffee 101: Cold Brewed vs Hot Brewed
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that if you add something hot, like coffee, to something cold, like ice, they both end up diluting and becoming lukewarm. There are a couple ways to counter this rule of science.
Making cold brewed coffee is one way to combat the ice melting issue.
While almost everyone knows how to make a decent cup of hot coffee, the ability to make good iced coffee is a rarer skill. There are two main methods for making iced coffee: cold brewed and hot brewed.
We’ll cover the more time intense cold brewed method first then move on to the faster hot brewed method.
Don’t confuse the cold brewed coffee described below for cold, brewed coffee – the leftovers from this morning’s pot.
When made properly, cold brewed coffee serves as a refrigerated coffee concentrate that can make hot beverages as well as cold.
Ice Coffee: Cold Brewed Coffee Recipe
Start with a pound of freshly roasted, high quality, coarsely ground coffee beans.
Place the beans in the bottom of a one gallon pitcher.
Fill the pitcher with ten cups of filtered water.
Leave at room temperature for twelve to fifteen hours.
Place folded cheesecloth or other fine mesh filter over another pitcher that is one half to a full gallon in volume. Secure cheesecloth with a rubber band around the lip of the pitcher. It doesn’t have to be tight, just secure.
Pour the cold brewed coffee and sludge over the filter, filling the bottom pitcher with a filtered concentrate.
Squeeze the remainder of the essence from the beans by wadding the cheesecloth or filter around the beans and compressing tightly over the pitcher.
You can use cold brewed coffee to make a plethora of iced coffee drink favorites.
Fill a glass one quarter full of milk. Stir in two tablespoons of chocolate beverage syrup or Ovaltine. Fill with ice. Pour concentrated cold brewed coffee to the top of the glass. Substitute strawberry beverage syrup or protein shake powder to make a tasty iced coffee treat.
Another way to combat the melting issue is to use the low temperature of your other ingredients to temper the coffee or espresso, making the melt far less obvious. When you will be using milk in your iced coffee drink, you can mix the shot, milk and anything other than the ice before adding your ice cubes.
Ice Coffee: Hot Brewed Coffee Recipe
The above cold brewed ice coffee method is a lengthy process that requires the coffee to sit overnight. You may want to also use the quicker hot brew method when you can’t wait for your coffee.
When you are craving your cold drink immediately, hot brewing is the only way to go. As long as you have ice cubes on hand, your task should only take a few minutes.
Begin by preparing a cup of hot coffee.
This coffee must be made much stronger than normal, since it will be diluted later by ice. Double or triple strength is advised. To make the final product cold most of what goes into it needs to be frozen.
To this end the initial cup of hot coffee should be relatively small. Aim for a two or three to one ratio of ice to hot coffee. Keep in mind this ratio, as well as how large you want the final drink to be when preparing the hot coffee.
Combine the coffee and the ice together, either by pouring the coffee over the ice, or the ice into the coffee. Both work.
You will probably also want your iced coffee to be sweet. Sugar dissolves easily only in hot liquids, so you must add it in first. This can be a problem if you later discover that your coffee is not sweet enough. If that occurs (or if you wish to add in your sugar after the coffee has been cooled) make some simple syrup.
Simple syrup, which is usually used in cocktails, is sugar dissolved in water. Mix as small an amount of boiling water as possible (so that your iced coffee will not be significantly diluted) with sugar, then add the simple syrup to your iced coffee. Alternatively, you can use an artificial sweetener.
If you drink your coffee with half & half, add it in either before or after the ice. Since the half & half will do part of the work of cooling down the coffee, this can allow you to adjust your ratio of coffee to ice.
The more half & half you use, the less ice needed. This will result in a creamier, thicker drink. It will also take off the bitter edge that can appear in strong, hot brewed coffee.
Those are the basics of making speedy, delicious iced coffee at home.
There are a number of tasty modifications that can also be made, either as a permanent part of your iced coffee routine or as an occasional twist:
Try adding a little whiskey to make an adult beverage of iced Irish coffee.
Use sweetened condensed milk in place of half & half for a decadent, creamy drink.
Adding flavored syrup can also give your iced coffee an intriguing new flavor.
In general, the key to making good iced coffee is experimentation.
It can be tricky discovering what ratio of coffee to ice you prefer, or how much sugar you need to suit your tastes. Luckily the method described above takes up little time.
When your first effort isn’t to your liking, try again. Soon you will be enjoying delicious, easily prepared iced coffee at home whenever you like.
With a little forethought, you could also place your iced coffee drink glass in your freezer until you’re ready for it.
Pour the hot coffee or espresso shot into the frozen glass. The liquid from the coffee or espresso will absorb the cold temperatures, making for a cool cup of coffee in just a minute.
Let’s talk about coffee. The nectar of the gods. The wake up juice that keeps you going, morning, noon, and night. One of the few stimulants that is legal/doesn’t destroy/rarely makes you hallucinate.
Us coffee drinkers have been accused of having an “addiction”, but they’ve got it all wrong: we have a blessed, symbiotic relationship.
We get the crackling energy and the coffee gets the pleasure of tobogganing through our digestive system.
It’s been said that you can have too much of a good thing, but those haters have clearly never felt the sweet bliss of hot coffee in the morning. Or at lunch time. Or in the afternoon. Or really, any time.
Of course, there is one challenge…
How do you keep yourself constantly supplied with good coffee?
It’s a well known fact that coffee quality tends to dip when you travel. You find yourself gagging down hotel coffee, which often tastes like melted linoleum, except with less flavor.
If things really get bad, you may be forced to drink gas station coffee, which is the equivalent of scooping sludge out of a septic tank.
It’s not an option to go without coffee, any more than it’s an option to go without food or water. You LOVE coffee, and the thought of going a single day without is unfathomable.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go into coffee rehab in order to survive when you travel.
There are a number of portable solutions that will allow you to drink astoundingly good coffee wherever you go. You won’t have to settle for McDonald’s sock water or Maxwell “Sweet mother, what is this?” House. You can have your coffee, and drink it too.
In this post, I’m going to break down the best portable coffee makers. No, I’m not going to suggest you lug around a drip coffee maker. You’re going to get the best of the best. And you won’t have to deplete your savings account either.
Let’s get started.
What You May Need For That Perfect Cup
Before we dive into the best small coffee makers, we need to talk about what you may need to make the most glorious, soul-shaking cup of coffee.
First, you’ll need great coffee. That goes without being said. If you’re buying coffee that comes in giant cans, please exit this article and don’t let the browser hit you on the way out.
Second, you’ll need a way to grind the coffee. If you’re using coffee pods, this won’t be a problem. However, some of the devices below require you to grind your coffee.
Third, you need a way to heat water. You’re going to need to heat your water if you’re going to make a decent cup of water that doesn’t taste like goat urine. There are lots of different options, like a portable kettle, a camp stove, your car radiator, etc. Some of the best portable coffee machines (see below options) will boil the water for you.
Small Coffee Makers that You Can Travel With
Here are our top picks for tested small coffee makers you will want to take on your next outing. Across town or around the world with these gadgets you won’t have to worry about missing your coffee fix.
#1 – The NowPresso Portable, Lithium Powered Espresso Machine
This baby is the world’s first lithium powered portable espresso machine, and it’s basically like having a personal Italian barista named Roberto.
Using Nespresso Cups, and NowPresso’s own reusable capsules–which allow you to prepare your own coffee mixtures–you can literally create silky smooth, flavorful espresso with the touch of a button.
It has an air vent lid to allow steam to escape, a water cavity for simple cleaning and measuring the water, a vacuum sealed capsule cap, ensuring the perfect pour, and a heat resistant silicon cup. It will even boil the water for you.
The NowPresso is every coffee drinker’s fantasy:
It also comes with a slick travel bag, allowing you to transport the NowPresso without losing things or dumping them on the ground.
Whether you’re a traveler, camper, hobo, or nomadic camel herder, this is a fantastic solution to get a quick fix where you have control over the quality of your coffee.
To be one of the first coffee drinker to own one of these curious coffee contraptions, you better act fast because the NowPresso by XSPROFIX reached it’s Kickstarter goal of AU$75,00 AND it’s only available on Kickstarter.com until July 5th, 2017.
Update July 6th, 2017: NowPresso remains available for order on Indiegogo’s InDemand store.
Update December 15, 2018: NowPresso is Now Available on Amazon.com:
The NowPresso, like other copycats that have followed it’s lead, is tooled to use Nespresso Coffee pods. You can also buy a reusable coffee capsule that allows you to then use the machine with whatever coffee grounds you choose. We recommend the reusable option for environmental reasons, as there are pro and cons surrounding the use of disposable coffee pods.
The Pros and Cons of Coffee Pods
Coffee pods are aluminum or plastic containers of pre-measured grounds. They feature built-in paper filters. Some companies refer to them as “capsules.” Pods have several major benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
This product offers tremendous convenience. It delivers a fast, simple brewing process; there’s no need to use separate filters or a teaspoon. However, you can’t precisely control the amount of grounds.
Individual units normally stay fresh for a long time. On the other hand, an entire package of instant or ground coffee begins to age when you open it. Air exposure causes the flavor to degrade as time passes.
Pod-based beverage makers use electrical power and water in slightly more efficient ways. This may result in lower utility bills, especially if you brew multiple drinks every day.
Cons
Environmentalists dislike this system because it wastes natural resources by using far more packaging materials than most alternatives. Some pods remain difficult or impossible to recycle.
Although it’s more affordable to use a pod instead of visiting a high-end cafe, it certainly doesn’t provide the most economical option. Both instant and regular ground coffee cost far less.
You’ll need to purchase a specialized appliance before using pods. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to brew them in a standard machine. Pod coffee makers cost a bit more than basic conventional units.
This product provides a convenient way to rapidly brew beverages while maximizing freshness. However, it typically results in higher expenses and produces waste materials in larger quantities.
#2 – French Press Travel Mug
If you like your coffee like your soul (dark, slightly gritty, acidic), the French Press method is perfect.
You grind your coffee to a coarse texture, then let it soak in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. This method produces a full-flavored, somewhat smoky flavor (like kissing your girlfriend who smokes two packs a day).
There are plenty of travel mug options available, including the Bodum French Press Mug as well as one from Starbucks.
One downside of the French Press method is that there’s usually a bit of grit/coffee sludge in your coffee since the plunger doesn’t usually filter out all the coffee grounds. It’s usually not a big deal though, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes crunching on coffee grounds in their spare time.
You could also pretend you’re a cowboy, minus the horse, leather chaps, overt masculinity, and constant Marlboro cigarette. Your call.
#3 – The AeroPress
Fun fact of the day that you can use to impress/turn off dates: the AeroPress was invented by the same guy who created the Aerobie.
When you want to further impress/turn off, you can point that Aeropress and Aerobie begin with the same four letters, which is a clue to their creator.
You’d think that a frisbee inventor wouldn’t know much about coffee making (a common stereotype), but you’d be wrong. The Aerobie makes a fantastic cup of coffee that’s smoother than a politician avoiding questions about financial impropriety.
The AeroPress is placed on a mug and finely ground coffee is placed in the press on a filter. Hot water is poured on the coffee and you immediately begin depressing the plunger. A vacuum seal is created and the coffee is forced down through the filter, resulting in a flavorful, smooth cup of coffee that makes you smack your lips in a slightly creepy way reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter.
It works so effectively because the coffee and water aren’t in contact that long – usually 20 seconds or so – which results in very little acidity. It’s a pretty amazing feat of engineering actually.
It only has a few parts, which makes it perfect for traveling. The only downside is that you’ll need to have a way to heat your water.
The pour over method of coffee making is a great, all around option.
It’s like a middle ground between all other other methods. It gives you a well rounded flavor that’s not overly smooth like the AeroPress but also not brutally acidic like the French Press. You grind the coffee finer than the French Press but coarser than AeroPress.
If this were (trigger warning) high-school, the pour over would be the guy who everyone kinda liked but who didn’t get the hot girls. The guy voted most likely to work as a mid-level manager at IBM. Right down the middle. Granted, this would be a private school, since the pour over still makes great coffee. It’s still an elite snob.
The cone is placed on the coffee cup, the filter goes in the cone, the grounds go in the filter, and the water seals the deal.
If you’re hardcore, you can use the “bloom” method, where you initially just wet the grounds enough to let the carbon dioxide escape and the flavors expand.
All you need is the cone, the filters, and coffee, all of which can be easily transported in an a bag. It’s easy to clean, takes up minimal space, and delivers a great cup of coffee.
#5 – The Presse Coffee Brewer
It’s a well-known saying that the you can judge a man by the coffee he drinks.
Actually, no one says that, but it should be a saying. Never trust a guy who drinks crappy coffee.
Regardless, the Presse Coffee Brewer allows you to impress (see what I did there?) people with your taste in coffee.
It’s essentially like a French Press, except it has a finer mesh filter, meaning you won’t find yourself accidentally munching on coffee grounds. It only has three parts and doubles as a travel mug, so it’s insanely portable as well.
It should be noted that the lid IS NOT LEAKPROOF! In other words, if this thing is full of coffee/liquor, don’t throw it into your bag next to your laptop.
Nevertheless, this is a good solution that lies somewhere between the AeroPress and the French Press travel mug.
#6 – Lichti Portable Espresso Maker
If you’re an avid camper or hiker who also has a deep passion for espresso, this could have some potential.
The Lichti Portable Espresso Maker is battery free, meaning that the only way to create that espresso shot you’re craving is to use the hand pump that’s built in. Think of like pumping water from a well, except the water gives you immortality and boundless energy.
The pump puts the appropriate amount of pressure on the water and espresso, resulting in a well-crafted espresso shot to soothe your jangling nerves.
The downside here is that you’ll need to grind your own coffee beforehand. If you find yourself in a situation without a grinder, you’re only option will be to grind the beans with your teeth, which doesn’t work particularly well.
Small Coffee Maker Options to Keep You Caffeinated On The Go
Coffee is life and life is coffee.
As the great Dalai Lama said, “The only way to survive in the crazy-ass world is to drink a ton of coffee.” Well, he might not have said that, but it sounds like something he would say.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go without coffee when you’re traveling if you pack along one of the above small coffee makers.
You won’t suffer the crippling darkness that befalls you when you go without your coffee. Rather, every step will be sunshine and energy. You will go about your day with a bounce in your step and a vibrating caffeine buzz.
So get to it. Get your coffee on. After all, it’s been about 5 minutes since you had your last cup.
