Comments on: My quest for the ultimate travel coffee setup http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: sk8rboi69 http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899072 sk8rboi69 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899072 Gee Jeligula, any more words of wisdom? I'm sure everyone would like to hear more about how you think we should live our lives. Now that that nastiness is dealt with... I still swear by french press for my coffee. It gives consistent, strong results; doesn't create waste filters; and is easy to clean. Grind your own beans just before brewing up and, ohhh man, that is a fine cup of coffee! Gee Jeligula, any more words of wisdom? I’m sure everyone would like to hear more about how you think we should live our lives.

Now that that nastiness is dealt with…

I still swear by french press for my coffee. It gives consistent, strong results; doesn’t create waste filters; and is easy to clean. Grind your own beans just before brewing up and, ohhh man, that is a fine cup of coffee!

]]> By: andrewv http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899075 andrewv Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899075 Lots of hotels these days have free sachets of Nescafe. Lots of hotels these days have free sachets of Nescafe.

]]> By: kentkb http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899331 kentkb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899331 And I thought I was a Coffee nerd with my quest for the " God Shot" at home? http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/004721.php I did not think about a travel set up! Thank You, and Damn You too.... And I thought I was a Coffee nerd with my quest for the ” God Shot” at home?
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/004721.php

I did not think about a travel set up!
Thank You, and Damn You too….

]]> By: Hokkaido Hillbilly http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899076 Hokkaido Hillbilly Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899076 Jeligula, I'd be more than happy to pick you up a 500 ml bottle o' Pocari Sweat from my local Japanese market here in northern KY for only 1/2 of Sean's obscene service fee. Jeligula, I’d be more than happy to pick you up a 500 ml bottle o’ Pocari Sweat from my local Japanese market here in northern KY for only 1/2 of Sean’s obscene service fee.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899078 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899078 The best coffee is Capulin. You can find it on the internet. My friend Daniel Fourwinds lives in Nayarit Mexico and operates the business. It is dry processed and never bitter cause he only picks red cherries. Try it The best coffee is Capulin. You can find it on the internet. My friend Daniel Fourwinds lives in Nayarit Mexico and operates the business. It is dry processed and never bitter cause he only picks red cherries. Try it

]]> By: caipirina http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899079 caipirina Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899079 I am so glad I am not a coffee person ... Gin & Tonics are so much easier to make :) I am so glad I am not a coffee person … Gin & Tonics are so much easier to make :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899081 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899081 I've thought about how to boil water on the go, and it seems the best method would be an immersion heater (super packable and cheap, but requires an outlet which you'll probably have in a hotel.) and a (very) little science: Just fill the kettle and bring the water to a boil with the heater. Now I prefer to use a french press, which needs something like 200 degrees (F) water, so I remove the heater and wait 10-30 seconds for the water to reach that temperature. Use a thermometer at home the first time to get the time right. I’ve thought about how to boil water on the go, and it seems the best method would be an immersion heater (super packable and cheap, but requires an outlet which you’ll probably have in a hotel.) and a (very) little science:
Just fill the kettle and bring the water to a boil with the heater. Now I prefer to use a french press, which needs something like 200 degrees (F) water, so I remove the heater and wait 10-30 seconds for the water to reach that temperature. Use a thermometer at home the first time to get the time right.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899086 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899086 My favorite coffee is Yuban! Mmmmmm. My favorite coffee is Yuban!
Mmmmmm.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899089 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899089 You might like the clever coffee dripper too :) http://bit.ly/9ncjsZ You might like the clever coffee dripper too :)

http://bit.ly/9ncjsZ

]]> By: Hybridan http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899090 Hybridan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899090 Absolutely stunning setup, thank you for sharing. I know have several new goals for my travel cup as well. While I am a huge fan of the Aeropress, what excites me most is that Grinder. Good night, I want one. My Mini Mill Slim isn't bad, but I definitely have the inconsistent grind problem, as well as static buildup and a bit of a dust problem. I would also be very interested in getting a Kettle or something similar to perhaps try the pore over method. Thanks for the Intelligentsia shout out, some of the best coffee in the world, I wish I had access more often then I do. And finally, caffeine addiction can be part of the coffee obsessed experience, but doesn't have to be. It is possible to consume Coffee regularly while not building tolerances too high or experiencing withdraw on the days you choose not to have coffee. Absolutely stunning setup, thank you for sharing. I know have several new goals for my travel cup as well. While I am a huge fan of the Aeropress, what excites me most is that Grinder. Good night, I want one. My Mini Mill Slim isn’t bad, but I definitely have the inconsistent grind problem, as well as static buildup and a bit of a dust problem.

I would also be very interested in getting a Kettle or something similar to perhaps try the pore over method.

Thanks for the Intelligentsia shout out, some of the best coffee in the world, I wish I had access more often then I do.

And finally, caffeine addiction can be part of the coffee obsessed experience, but doesn’t have to be. It is possible to consume Coffee regularly while not building tolerances too high or experiencing withdraw on the days you choose not to have coffee.

]]> By: Metlin http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899092 Metlin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899092 As someone who's always on the road, <a href="http://mypressi.com/">mypressi TWIST</a> and <a href="http://www.handpresso.com/">handpresso</a> are my favorites. TSA is not a fan of mypressi TWIST, but they don't trouble you about handpresso. As someone who’s always on the road, mypressi TWIST and handpresso are my favorites. TSA is not a fan of mypressi TWIST, but they don’t trouble you about handpresso.

]]> By: Sceadugenga http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899094 Sceadugenga Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899094 Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm curious about the 3-10 days post-roasting... that's better than zero days? There are tons of places in Japan to get on-the-spot roasted coffee, and it smells great. Are you saying I should.. let it mellow? Thanks for the great suggestions.
I’m curious about the 3-10 days post-roasting… that’s better than zero days? There are tons of places in Japan to get on-the-spot roasted coffee, and it smells great. Are you saying I should.. let it mellow?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899095 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899095 My mother is a coffee buff, and couldn't go anywhere without her "cafetière italienne" (italian coffeemaker in French). Those with self-contained heating are better for hotel rooms, even with the problem of power sources in mind. For reference, they look something like that : http://www.chacunsoncafe.fr/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=2588820 My mother is a coffee buff, and couldn’t go anywhere without her “cafetière italienne” (italian coffeemaker in French). Those with self-contained heating are better for hotel rooms, even with the problem of power sources in mind.
For reference, they look something like that : http://www.chacunsoncafe.fr/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=2588820

]]> By: scifijazznik http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899096 scifijazznik Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899096 You made my morning. You made my morning.

]]> By: tonx http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899097 tonx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899097 sean - [jedimindtrick] porlex grinder + small kettle --> tonx = undying gratitude. [/jedimindtrick] sean – [jedimindtrick] porlex grinder + small kettle –> tonx = undying gratitude. [/jedimindtrick]

]]> By: Jiggle http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899609 Jiggle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899609 As a multi-year veteran of the coffee business, I'm going to have to agree with max_supernova: as endearing as ultimate devotion to coffeecraft is, it certainly reads as overpriced hype from folks (I'll stereotype no further!) who have the dollars to spend on things beyond rent and groceries. My two cents: use whatever equipment is accessible, and your coffee will taste fundamentally the same. If you have a little extra, spend it on good beans that you like and don't waste it on the grinder. I also giggle at the insistence on using "spring water," which EPA consistently reminds us can be just as contaminated with undesirable chemicals, if not more so, than treated tap water. And it's not infrequent that a "spring water" manufacturer is exposed for simply filling bottles from the local tap and slapping a fancy label on the bottle so he can charge substantially more. D'oh. Distilled water, which is seriously cheap in bottles, is the stuff that's been pretty effectively purified. Water purified by reverse osmosis (no brand names here) may be even purer. My set-up: $20 grinder that's lasted since about 2001 / smallish drip pot / tap or distilled water / good beans of almost any variety. It still makes coffee. And it still tastes great. As a multi-year veteran of the coffee business, I’m going to have to agree with max_supernova: as endearing as ultimate devotion to coffeecraft is, it certainly reads as overpriced hype from folks (I’ll stereotype no further!) who have the dollars to spend on things beyond rent and groceries.

My two cents: use whatever equipment is accessible, and your coffee will taste fundamentally the same. If you have a little extra, spend it on good beans that you like and don’t waste it on the grinder. I also giggle at the insistence on using “spring water,” which EPA consistently reminds us can be just as contaminated with undesirable chemicals, if not more so, than treated tap water. And it’s not infrequent that a “spring water” manufacturer is exposed for simply filling bottles from the local tap and slapping a fancy label on the bottle so he can charge substantially more. D’oh. Distilled water, which is seriously cheap in bottles, is the stuff that’s been pretty effectively purified. Water purified by reverse osmosis (no brand names here) may be even purer.

My set-up: $20 grinder that’s lasted since about 2001 / smallish drip pot / tap or distilled water / good beans of almost any variety.

It still makes coffee. And it still tastes great.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899610 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899610 My mother-in-law made Yuban in my coffee maker. yeah, I'm getting a new one. My mother-in-law made Yuban in my coffee maker.

yeah, I’m getting a new one.

]]> By: rimstalker http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899104 rimstalker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899104 coffee roasters (and coffee freaks) in Germany will tell you that the coffee needs to breathe and will be at its peak about a week after roasting. coffee roasters (and coffee freaks) in Germany will tell you that the coffee needs to breathe and will be at its peak about a week after roasting.

]]> By: tonx http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899108 tonx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899108 coffee offgasses a lot of CO2 in the first 48hrs after roast and can tend to taste a bit sharper or unbalanced. peak flavor is usually happening somewhere in the day 3 to 5 range (depending on a lot of other odd variables that can inspire endless theorizing). but I'll say that for most coffee I'd rather brew it right out of the roaster than deal with it at day 10. best to err on the side of freshness. coffee offgasses a lot of CO2 in the first 48hrs after roast and can tend to taste a bit sharper or unbalanced. peak flavor is usually happening somewhere in the day 3 to 5 range (depending on a lot of other odd variables that can inspire endless theorizing). but I’ll say that for most coffee I’d rather brew it right out of the roaster than deal with it at day 10. best to err on the side of freshness.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899112 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899112 Then why did you bother reading it? Then why did you bother reading it?

]]> By: joncamfield http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-900907 joncamfield Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-900907 My month-or-more point being, why take the grinder for anything shorter than a week? Airtight ziplock bags will keep your freshly ground beans from home at very tasty levels for quite a few days, and you've eliminated your need for a grinder for short trips. If you really insist on freshly-ground-seconds-before-brewing even when traveling -- then, sir, I tip my hat to you; you have taken coffee snobbery to a new true level to which I can only aspire. It also gives me a great foil when my wife complains about me lugging around my coffee press as we trek across (random country name). My month-or-more point being, why take the grinder for anything shorter than a week? Airtight ziplock bags will keep your freshly ground beans from home at very tasty levels for quite a few days, and you’ve eliminated your need for a grinder for short trips. If you really insist on freshly-ground-seconds-before-brewing even when traveling — then, sir, I tip my hat to you; you have taken coffee snobbery to a new true level to which I can only aspire. It also gives me a great foil when my wife complains about me lugging around my coffee press as we trek across (random country name).

]]> By: recoiled http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899116 recoiled Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899116 If you are hacking your life with some caffeine, there are some benefits to counteract your negatives. Such as counteracting high blood pressure - http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20100901/coffee-may-combat-high-blood-pressure Or "fighting type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and dementia" while showing that coffee drinkers have fewer cases of "certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes". http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food I know that these are both webmd articles, and sighting from one source is not always great, but I'll trust them. If you are hacking your life with some caffeine, there are some benefits to counteract your negatives. Such as counteracting high blood pressure –

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20100901/coffee-may-combat-high-blood-pressure

Or “fighting type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and dementia” while showing that coffee drinkers have fewer cases of “certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes”.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food

I know that these are both webmd articles, and sighting from one source is not always great, but I’ll trust them.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899120 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899120 I've been in and out of the country about 10 times this year with some version of this set up without any issue, so all good! I’ve been in and out of the country about 10 times this year with some version of this set up without any issue, so all good!

]]> By: gotan http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899888 gotan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899888 I like a good cup of coffee, and a good cup of tea, but I'm not as much of a perfectionist. When traveling i use the Stelton Mini-Brewer i picked up at the Trapholt design museum in Kolding, Denmark. It delivers a fantastic brew of whatever you fancy. http://www.stelton.com/ProductView.aspx?id=122&lang=2 Simple yet efficacious :) I like a good cup of coffee, and a good cup of tea, but I’m not as much of a perfectionist.

When traveling i use the Stelton Mini-Brewer i picked up at the Trapholt design museum in Kolding, Denmark. It delivers a fantastic brew of whatever you fancy.

http://www.stelton.com/ProductView.aspx?id=122&lang=2

Simple yet efficacious :)

]]> By: TombKing http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899122 TombKing Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899122 Yes caffeine is a stimulant. I am highly aware of it as I have in the past shaken that monkey and she has harsh withdrawal symptoms. I however really love the taste of a good cup of coffee and have since fallen off the wagon but I really watch my intake. If I ever get told by the doctor to lay off the one to two cups I have a day (with the odd late afternoon cup when I know I have a scheduled late night of server patches) I will happily switch to decaf. Yes caffeine is a stimulant. I am highly aware of it as I have in the past shaken that monkey and she has harsh withdrawal symptoms.

I however really love the taste of a good cup of coffee and have since fallen off the wagon but I really watch my intake. If I ever get told by the doctor to lay off the one to two cups I have a day (with the odd late afternoon cup when I know I have a scheduled late night of server patches) I will happily switch to decaf.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899123 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899123 As I said I'm not doing espresso on the road, and I'm either staying in apartments with stoves or hotel rooms with electric kettles, so hot water isn't a problem at all. As I said I’m not doing espresso on the road, and I’m either staying in apartments with stoves or hotel rooms with electric kettles, so hot water isn’t a problem at all.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899127 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899127 If I want espresso then I want espresso and Areopress feels to me like fake espresso, I'd rather have a great cup of pour over than fake espresso. To each their own of course, I'm just not an aeropress fan. If I want espresso then I want espresso and Areopress feels to me like fake espresso, I’d rather have a great cup of pour over than fake espresso. To each their own of course, I’m just not an aeropress fan.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-900920 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-900920 If you think coffee ground days before is the same as coffee ground minutes before you really should rethink your self inflicted coffee snob title. Better yet, you should test your theory out. Grind some beans, put them in a ziplock back and let them sit for 3 days. Then grind some fresh and make a cup of coffee from each. The difference will be insane. We did a class in Los Angeles at Crash Space title "how to make better coffee at home" and did that test with beans ground a mere 8 hours earlier, and beans ground right then and everyone in the room, most of whom don't consider themselves anything more than casual coffee drinkers could tell the difference. The grinder is the most important part of the kit. If I could only bring one thing, it would be the grinder without question. If you think coffee ground days before is the same as coffee ground minutes before you really should rethink your self inflicted coffee snob title. Better yet, you should test your theory out. Grind some beans, put them in a ziplock back and let them sit for 3 days. Then grind some fresh and make a cup of coffee from each. The difference will be insane.

We did a class in Los Angeles at Crash Space title “how to make better coffee at home” and did that test with beans ground a mere 8 hours earlier, and beans ground right then and everyone in the room, most of whom don’t consider themselves anything more than casual coffee drinkers could tell the difference.

The grinder is the most important part of the kit. If I could only bring one thing, it would be the grinder without question.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899129 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899129 All Pocari Sweat in my possession is instantly consumed, sorry. All Pocari Sweat in my possession is instantly consumed, sorry.

]]> By: Sean Bonner http://boingboing.net/2010/09/30/perfecting-my-travel.html#comment-899131 Sean Bonner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-899131 I'll e-mail you! I’ll e-mail you!

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