If you are a morning coffee drinker, I’ve got an easy peasy travel hack for you! When I’m traveling, and even if I’m staying somewhere where there is a coffee shop on every corner, the last thing I want to do is buy a cup of coffee that isn’t organic. That’s because conventional coffee is typically imported and grown with large amounts of of pesticides and insecticides, including some that are considered too dangerous to use in the U.S. Not only do I want to avoid sipping on pesticides in the morning, but organic fair-trade coffee tastes better too!
And when it comes to what the hotel provides in your room or room service, you can forget it! Most likely the coffee isn’t organic, and I wouldn’t touch the little packets of dried non-dairy creamer packets in my hotel room with a ten foot pole. These are made with ingredients like corn syrup solids, heart wrecking trans fats, artificial flavors and emulsifiers – Bleh!!!
It doesn’t have to be this way! With a few simple supplies, you could be sipping on delicious organic coffee anywhere on the planet! Whether you enjoy traveling or just would like to drink organic coffee while you’re away at the office, in this short video I’ll show you how to set yourself up!
Watch: 2 Minute Travel Hack: Make Organic Coffee Anytime Anywhere
Want to try this on your next trip? Here are the 3 things you’ll need:
1. Stainless Steel Electric Kettle – Not only will this make hot water for your coffee, but you can use it to make tea and oatmeal too! It’s available here on Amazon. It’s well worth the investment and will pay for itself over and over again!
2. Organic Coconut Milk Powder – This simple powder can be found in the baking section of many grocery stores. An organic one can be found at Amazon here, or you can buy a similar type (but not organic) here on Thrive Market.
3. Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee – I know, I know, this instant coffee is not the type that I’d regularly be drinking at home, as I prefer to brew fresh organic coffee from organic coffee beans (Larry’s Beans brand is my favorite!). But, this instant version is a mess-free option that is perfect for when you are in a hotel room or somewhere else that you can’t easily brew a pot of coffee. It also tastes surprisingly good and has just one ingredient – Organic coffee! You can find it here on Amazon, or Thrive Market or any natural food store.
- 1 teaspoon organic instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon coconut milk powder
- 8 ounces hot filtered water
- ***Add more coffee if you like it stronger, or add more coconut milk powder if you like it creamier - have fun experimenting to find the perfect combination for your preferences. ***
- Add instant coffee and powdered coconut milk to a coffee mug.
- Pour filtered hot water over the top and stir.
I hope this tip helps you the next time you’re traveling away from home and want to steer clear of coffee shops that don’t serve organic coffee.
If you know anyone that needs to redo their coffee routine while on-the-go, please share this post with them and ask them to subscribe to my free newsletter!
Xo,
Vani
Also try adding a blend of Cacao Powder, Coconut Sugar and Cinnamon, its amazing!
Great ideas for additional yumminess 🙂
Really Vani! “On the moon” 😉 (crying/laughing emoji) lol.
Haha. Yes even on the moon!
I have been using this instant coffee in the jar and in the packets for a few years now. Discovered it on Vitacost website. I like to have with me when traveling . It really is very good for instant coffee. The tip about the creamer I appreciate as I haven’t come up with a good creamer idea. Will give it a try. Thanks.
Julie – Yes, I was surprised how good the instant organic coffee was compared to my home brewed coffee from fresh ground organic coffee beans – pretty darn tasty considering the convenience! 🙂
Julie- I lived in Papua New Guinea not far from Mt. Hagen. We LOVED the coffee that was grown in the area and couldn’t believe how good the instant version was compared to other brands we had tried back home. We know how the coffee is grown there (truly organic!) which makes it even better. I’m so glad other to see others discover (and Food Babe promoting) a product from this nearly forgotten country.
Even easier is Fat Coffee (ninjagoatnutrition.com) or Phatfudge.com — two different products with similar ingredients — all organic and grassfed dairy, coconut oil, tahini and other stuff that make coffee taste amazing. They come in individual packets so they are easy to transport and don’t take up room in the car or suitcase. Both also come dairy free or vegan.
Where do you get filtered water when you are traveling to make this coffee?
I usually buy water in glass bottles when I get the location or bring a filter – just depends if I am traveling by airplane or car 🙂
Here’s a link to help you find a spring to get clean water. I, myself, take two 5 gallon buckets and go drive once every two weeks to an aquifier and fill them up, and bring them home. It’s clean water, and it’s free to the public. Do a search for “aquifier” and put the name of your town, or city, or state with that, and see what comes up. Here’s the link to find a spring:
http://www.findaspring.com/
A couple of problems with this: 1) If I’m flying and only want to have carry-on, the electric tea kettle is not an option – too bulky and not very helpful when dealing with the TSA. Many hotels should provide an electric tea kettle of some kind, sometimes even in your room. 2) Not all hot water is created equal so you will still need to find a good water source for the tea pot. 3) Instant coffee…ugh! I’d much prefer using an Aeropress (http://www.aeropress.com/) together with your favorite freshly ground coffee for a great, smooth cup of coffee that is portable and can work with any electric/non-electric tea kettle! 4) Coconut milk powder is not the same as half and half. I’d say a local/organic half and half without AGH is fine.
A couple other notes: carrageenan is derived from seaweed and not a major health issue in small quantities. Having good filtered water and non-burnt coffee is far more important in being kind to your stomach/intestines…and the Aeropress helps with it too. Appreciate the tips on avoiding highly processed foods…particularly all the flavorings in Starbucks drinks. My goodness…I took a peak at the syrups and saw how many nasty (and unnatural) products are introduced with them. Yuk! And now that they screwed up Starbucks rewards, they are going to drive away those of us who want to stick with a basic brew without all the additives. Yay!
What products mentioned contain carrageenan, since you’re mentioning this? Neither the coffee or coconut milk powder on Amazon seem to.
I believe that things like tea kettles are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. Have you determined that they are not?
You will need to trust your water source whether you are buying coffee, drinking tap water, buying bottled water, or no matter what you are drinking. I’m not sure why you suggest this as though it has bearing on the discussion at hand.
You can offer what you think is a better option without saying “uagh!”
Wow! He didn’t say Vani is a bad person. He said instant coffee is ugh. It is his opinion and this is still America, so ugh ugh ugh. Lol. I too, have found every brand of instant I have ever tried to be ugh as well. The TSA seems to have varying degrees of pickiness depending where you travel to and from, so an electric tea kettle may be a problem for some. Who knows?
As far as Vani goes? She is great! Keep up the good work Vani!
The kettle is pretty small and fits in my carry bag pretty awesomely! 🙂 Besides – I fill mine with socks and other stuff so it doesn’t really take up that much space. Carrageenan has some very controversial findings: I received this from the Cornucopia Institute today – a watchdog group that is safe guarding organics:
“Carrageenan producers have long claimed that food-grade carrageenan and poligeenan (a known carcinogen) are two distinctly different substances. The industry still denies that food-grade carrageenan contains poligeenan, however, publicly funded scientific research has long found otherwise.
“Now, the industry’s own data has revealed that all twelve food-grade carrageenan samples tested did in fact contain poligeenan in varying quantities up to 25%,” said Linley Dixon, PhD, Cornucopia’s Senior Staff Scientist.
Carrageenan is such an efficient inflammatory agent and carcinogen, it is widely used to study the molecular signals involved in cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Publicly-funded researchers have published dozens of studies on the harmful health effects of consuming food-grade carrageenan, but the industry has aggressively responded by funding its own studies, many of which Cornucopia critiques in the new report.
Dr. Dixon stated, “Marinalg’s cover-up of this scientific data demonstrates how damaging the results could be to the carrageenan industry.”
University of Illinois researcher, Joanne Tobacman, M.D., who has published widely on the subject said, “The carrageenan industry has tried for decades to retain using carrageenan in food products because of its biological reactivity with ingredients. This same biological reactivity is what makes carrageenan harmful. Food-grade carrageenan inevitably contains some lower molecular weight forms naturally.”
Dr. Tobacman continued, “Additional lower molecular weight forms are produced by processing, heat, acid, intestinal bacteria, and chewing.”
Research has shown that besides the initial contamination in food-grade carrageenan, stomach acid in the human digestive tract can convert a percentage of carrageenan that may otherwise be safe into the most dangerous, carcinogenic form.
Tobacman’s findings, along with others in her field, demonstrate the molecular mechanism by which food-grade carrageenan causes inflammation, cancer, insulin resistance, and an immunogenic response in humans.”
Tell ’em girl!
#teamfoodbabe
Do you know if the caffeine is removed without toxic solvents? Also, is the kettle’s electrical cord lead-free? Most electrical cords contain lead, which leaches out over time and rubs off on your hands and everything it touches. Lead is a carcinogen, as well as a brain toxin.
It’s a good practice to wash your hands anyway after plugging in and setting something up that you travel with to different hotel rooms, so it’s not like that’s a big deal.
Also, the link she posted was not for decaffeinated coffee. If you go to the decaffeinated version of the item through Amazon, it only says “The organic green beans are “Naturally Decaffeinated” using only the gentlest, 100% natural method with no chemicals.” I would confirm the process with the company.
Only if you eat it. That’s why lead paint was so toxic to children – they were peeling it and eating it. If you wash your hands before you eat, you’ll be fine. Avoiding electrical cords isn’t easy and is probably unnecessary.
Great tips for travelling!
I too will not leave home without my coffee.
I bring a small pour-over with filters and my pre-ground organic coffee beans, or have also brought the compact aeropress that Dan mentioned. I usually buy organic cream when I arrive but I do like the idea of the coconut milk powder for when I can’t get the cream and will give it a try. I also try to find those small packages of honey to sweeten it as well, or just pack a small container from home.
That sounds great…but where do you get the filtered water? Most hotels just have tap water.
Vani, thanks for the tips. I’ve been traveling a lot for work and there’s nothing worse than a bad cup of coffee in a foreign place! PS: it looks like your trolls are taking a new (nicer) approach after you called them out. It’s so easy for them to criticize someone like you. But I appreciate your work and your passion. Thank you
I will try coconut milk powder (never heard of it) but you did not mention how it taste?
But you are wearing too much rouge on. You must lighten it by about half. From the front concentrates too much.
Other than than that you look great!
This is a fabulous and easy way to drink organic coffee while traveling. I too travel all the time, and I’m grateful for this great solution!
Where did you get the tea kettle and which instant coffee do you use?
It’s all linked up in the post – but here it is again 🙂
Want to try this on your next trip? Here are the 3 things you’ll need:
1. Stainless Steel Electric Kettle – Not only will this make hot water for your coffee, but you can use it to make tea and oatmeal too! It’s available here on Amazon. It’s well worth the investment and will pay for itself over and over again!
2. Organic Coconut Milk Powder – This simple powder can be found in the baking section of many grocery stores. An organic one can be found at Amazon here, or you can buy a similar type (but not organic) here on Thrive Market.
3. Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee – I know, I know, this instant coffee is not the type that I’d regularly be drinking at home, as I prefer to brew fresh organic coffee from organic coffee beans (Larry’s Beans brand is my favorite!). But, this instant version is a mess-free option that is perfect for when you are in a hotel room or somewhere else that you can’t easily brew a pot of coffee. It also tastes surprisingly good and has just one ingredient – Organic coffee! You can find it here on Amazon, or Thrive Market or any natural food store.
Never mind…I see it!
Haha – good! 🙂
I’ve been using the powdered organic coconut milk when I travel for a few years now and love it. Although I find it hard to mix unless I have a tiny whisk with me. I’m definitely going to try the organic instant coffee. Not normally a fan of instant, but nice in a pinch!
I used to hate instant too, but this one is actually really good!
Yes I travel with whisk and coconut oil , and glass bottle water , but I also use butter so I have them send me some up
This is very good information regarding organic instant coffee! I didn’t know , that this type even exist . Thank you. What about DECAF organic instant Coffee ? Is it exist ? And where to buy? I recently give up my organic freshly ground coffee every morning due to sluggish thyroid and disfunctional adrenals . Caffein has big impact on Cortisol production. I vill be very happy to get information from you.
Thank you,
Esther
They now make a one cup (bodum brand) french press that is super easy to travel with and you can brew your own real (not freeze dried) coffee right in your room. If you don’t want to pack a kettle, run the in-room coffee machine a couple of times with plain water to clean it out. After that cleaning, run the coffee machine with plain bottled water and use that hot water with the french press. Easy and REAL coffee right in your hotel. Wrap your mini press in a piece of clothing – mine has never broken. Not great running water through plastic machine but I take risks every once in a while (;
What a great idea! I’m not a coffee drinker but I love my green tea. Being on the road does make for some difficult food choices, so the stainless steel container is going to be a life saver.
I will try the powdered coconut milk on my next trip ( in 2 days). I have had to drink black coffee in the past because I use raw milk. I usually carry a porcelain funnel/with unbleached filters and ground beans to make my coffee. ALWAYS clean out the hotels water heating equipment before using it. It is usually gross if you look inside. I always carry a ceramic mug and metal spoon as rooms sometimes have styrofoam and plastic only.
After you get through security there is usually a Starbucks or 2 that will give you a free cardboard cup of hot water that you can use to make coffee or tea. You can even take it on the plane.
I always carry several tea packets in my purse (more in my luggage) so I have something to drink in the evening.
I have been using this creamer for a while now. It is creamy and good. I use it to take on trips so I always have great coffee in the mornings. Thanks for the idea of the instant coffee! I would like to try this also! I didn’t know it even existed!
I usually have a packet of Organo Latte. How safe is that product?
Even better than plain instant coffee are packets of instant organic coffee with medicinal mushrooms from Four Sigmatic guys. You’ll be getting your morning coffee while at the same time boosting your immune system with mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane, etc… And it’s delicious and non-acidic coffee to boot. Since I need a sweetener, I use either chocolate-flavored Stevia or Mannuka Honey (which kills bacteria and viruses). To replace milk, I use almond or cashew milk. Can’t use coconut milk because, unfortunately, I’m allergic to coconuts.
I love your accent!
Is this organic coffee sustainable? I have heard that even some of the organic coffee producers have been exploiting the local growers in places like Honduras and Sumatra. I do not support this practice and will not spend money on organic coffee at the expense of those peoples lives.
Not sure who you’re asking, but the coffee I drink is grown sustainably.
Many coffee farms can’t afford the usda certification of organic, let alone pesticides. Coffee takes the flavor of whatever is in the soil, just like wine. If there were pesticides in your coffee, you’re likely to taste them. Organic certification is unfair to many coffee farms in third world countries that produce them.
My husband really likes this coffee too and we travel with it as well. He finds that all other coffees give him heart burn. I didn’t know there was powdered coconut milk. I’ll have to look for that! Awesome idea.
Listen Hotel in Vancouver B.C. I can’t say enough about this place for being pretty darned organic and green. Farm to table restaurant on site!
I noticed you didn’t sweeten your coffee, so am taking the opportunity to write about my new and absolute favorite sugar substitute – SOLA!!! Have you tried it? I have been a consumer of liquid and powdered Stevia for more than 25 years – long before it was popular but I am a total convert. Vani, please try SOLA and let us know what you think. Is the product really as good and pure as they claim? Unfortunately it is a bit more expensive but that’s because of the quality of the organic and natural ingredients, but to me it’s worth it. I’d like to see more food companies use Sola for their sweetening agent – it sure makes a difference.
I backpack a lot & I am a coffee snob. Weight & space are a premium. I used to grind my own beans, add a 1/2 tsp of ground egg shells, pour into coffee filter & tie off. Instant coffee bag.
GSI makes a combo coffee mug/French Press that works wonderfully.
Water isn’t an issue for me bc I get it directly from streams & creeks. My filter cleans out everything. And sunrise, sipping coffee, on top of a mountain takes my coffee to a completely new level.
I, too, am a backpacker. I may try the instant organic coffee with coconut milk powder next time I’m section hiking on the AT this summer. I’m guessing it’ll be a lot better than those little packets you get at Starbucks. Mixed with hot filtered stream water, mmmmm!
Ok, question. How often do you drink coffee because I know you do your lemon water every morning, and then have your green drinks. When do u fit the coffee into your daily regimen?
You are hilarious Vani!
Thx for the great info. I travel a lot too and am always looking for ways to streamline. Have seen the powdered coconut milk and glad to hear it’s good! And I really wasn’t aware there was organic instant coffee out there – just never thot to look.
You’re the bomb! 🙂 Thx again!
I was in the market for organic coffee and never considered instant. Thanks for the great Ideas.
What’s your take on organic decaf. I ser your favorite brand doesn’t carry decaf.
Thanks,
Some say coffee in general is toxic
I tried the coconut milk powder, same one you linked…it was super clumpy and therefore hard to mix into the coffee. (Tasted great though!) so I thought to pulse it in my blender, thinking it was powder & would just break up. Weeelllll…. Apparently it’s oily, because now I have coconut milk fluff in my jar
:-/ any suggestions on how to dry it out again? (It was actually melty-almost liquid on the blades of the blender!) help, please?
I would like to know about your coconut milk powder too….I just received mine from your link and it is clumpy. I couldn’t really measure it so I just grabbed a chunk and had to really stir it vigorously to break it up. Your’s didn’t look like that in the video so I am wondering if I have and old bag?? Thoughts?
Hi shells – I was doing some more digging on our “Clumpy powder” experience & here’s what a review on amazon said (seems yours wasn’t an old bag!) —
“Here’s how to deal with the clumps: First, I’m 99% sure that they vacuum-pack this stuff, much like those bricks of coffee, because when the package arrives it’s *very* firm, with no play at all. Once you open it, you can start wiggling near the top and the powder will start loosening up (but just a little, at the top). At this point, dump all of the powder (most of it will still be in a brick) into a gallon-size ziploc bag, zip it closed, and start working the clumps with your fingers (from the outside). It will easily break up into powder, with smaller clumps. At this point either a) put the powder, as is, in an airtight container (I put it in two canning jars), or b) before putting it in an airtight container, while it’s still in the ziploc bag, lightly go over it with a rolling pin and it will end up with very few (and only tiny) clumps.”
Hope this helps! I’m still stuck w/ a jar of Coconut Fluff… :-/
Been doing this for years. You can buy a hand grinder and grind your own beans, and it’s a good upper body morning workout and shoulder loosener! But it does take time. Just bought a Grayl water filter on Amazon. I’ve had a bunch of these and it’s the best. Make that coffee in an aero press and you’ve got the best road coffee you can make!
How do you brew coffee at home? I am trying to find a method where the hot water does not touch plastic pieces within the coffee maker. Thanks!
It has been a while just found your site what Green Powder do you recommend at FoodBabe?
Awesome article Vani! Great tips for great coffee on the go. I love the website…always looking for ways to improve my health and take care of what I eat and drink.
Actually when you brew coffee with cold filtered water over a period of 10-14 hours, you retain more caffeine content, more of the flavonoids and antioxidants, and any other beneficial aspect to the coffee that would otherwise be scortched with heat. Lighter roasts are higher in these as well as heating the beans for longer removes certain things. But a medium roast I think is best for cold brew for taste and potency.
Why is coconut milk powder ok but peanut butter powder is not? The peanut butter powder contains small amounts of sugar and salt but aren’t both powders processed? Your criticism of peanut butter powder seemed to me to be too harsh. Please explain. Also when I use 2 Tbsp of PNB powder and dilute it with about 5 tsp of water I get 2 Tbsp of spread that is more than enough to cover a normal sized piece of bread. I would attach a picture if allowed.
Hi,
In the past you had posted a glass electric kettle made in USA, do you remember the brand? Is there any other kettles you know made in the USA??