We’ve traveled the world with our collapsible silicone coffee cone. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer gift for the coffee-loving traveler on your list
The truth about pourover coffee? It does not require a gooseneck kettle or a specific grind, but you can enjoy a good pourover pretty much anywhere in the world. For the coffee-loving traveler in your life, you can make their holiday, birthday, next trip, or any other season with just two simple gifts, starting with a collapsible pourover coffee cone.
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Let’s first dispel a few pourover myths
It doesn’t have to take you longer to make pourover coffee than it does to get ready for your day.
Pourover coffee can be made in a few minutes. For travelers, this is vitally important. Especially when those travelers are me and Jodie. Our collapsible silicone pourover coffee cone is the primary way we make coffee, whether we’re in Malaysia, Mexico, or Morocco. Why is that? Because pourover coffee can be made with any kettle.
Any kettle will do.
No, you don’t need a gooseneck kettle. They’re far too bulky to pack.
Pretty much wherever you are in the world, you’ll be able to get your hands on an electric kettle. Your hotel’s front desk might have one upon request. There’s a decent chance there’s simply one waiting for you in your accommodation.
It’ll work fine.
If you’re staying somewhere with tap water safety concerns, just boil for one minute. That’s the standard for boiling water safety. You’ll be good to go. Or you can buy and brew with store-bought bottled water.
You don’t need specialty coffee or special grinds.
Whatever off-the-shelf ground coffee is at the local shop, supermarket, or convenience store will typically make a delicious pourover coffee. As brewing styles go, pourover is incredibly flexible and forgiving.
Simple pouring motions are fine, no fancy spirals or other techniques required.
We’ve made pourover coffee from Washington State to Florida and from Texas to Michigan, in nice hotels and rest stops where we parked our motorhome for a break during a long driving day. We’ve never poured in a spiral or anything else. We tip the kettle and pour, just slowly enough so the water doesn’t splash.
Some tips for brewing good pourover coffee while traveling
After the kettle boils, let it rest for about 30 seconds.
That’ll lower the temperature so there’s less chance of over-extraction and you’re more likely to have the water at a good temperature.
How much coffee to use?
We use about 3 tablespoons (approximately 15 grams) per 12–16 oz. cup, or 2 tablespoons (about 10 grams) for a 6–8 oz. cup.
Don’t worry about the grind.
Seriously: You do not have to be precious about the grind.
Yes, there are optimal grinds for pourover. But the beauty of pourover isn’t its finickiness, but its versatility.
You can brew pourover coffee with pretty much any grind on the shelf in the local market wherever you are. Or, if it’s a stall that sells and grinds whole bean coffee, odds are they’ll be happy to grind to a great grind for pourover.
We just grab whatever is on the shelf at the local market where we are. The end result has also been a tasty cup of coffee.
Get this for the coffee-loving traveler in your life
Looking for the perfect gift for the coffee-loving traveler in your life? Here’s all you need to get them:
Collapsible silicone pourover cone
Collapsible is key. We can slide our pourover cone into the slender front pocket on our carryon. Compact coffee goodness is true love and kindness.
A pack of #2 or #4 filters
Note the conical shape. That’s key. You don’t want the round, pleated style used for automatic drip coffee makers.
#2 is smaller. #4 is bigger. Jodie and I prefer #4. We also usually get packs of 50 or 100. So far they’ve been very easy to find when we need more, whether that’s a supermarket in Morocco or a Daiso in Japan.
Bonus: A coffee spoon
This could be a nice tablespoon or equivalent metric. We have a snazzy one that looks like a tree branch, which I brought back for Jodie when I was away for a conference.
And that’s it. You’ve just made the day, year, and trip for the coffee-loving traveler in your life.
