Is coffee a new travel essential?

Wake up, roll over and glance out across the pristine South Pacific Ocean — its shores lapping calmly behind a palm tree and hammock.

The first few seconds are bliss . . . until your coffee craving hits.

Usually, you would either have to wait until you’re dressed and ready for the day to venture out, or settle for the second-class complimentary offering at the minibar.

In this instance, you need do neither because you’ve packed the ultimate modern-day travel essential, and it’s sitting in a bottle on your bedside table. Coffee concentrate — let’s talk about it.

This example wasn’t merely hypothetical — it was my sister Sophie’s honeymoon in Fiji.

She and her husband Jake belong to the “coffee-obsessed” section of the population and, to put it nicely, they can barely function before getting their first hit (no exaggeration — a wedding non-negotiable was hiring a coffee van for the morning after).

In their experience, and many others, I expect, travelling the world can be disappointing on the coffee front. Australia is known for its exceptional coffee, and unless you’re visiting Vietnam, Brazil or Columbia, the chances are the local offering won’t stack up to the your Australian palate’s expectations.

Ever since their honeymoon, at Outrigger Beach Resort Fiji in Sigatoka, a bottle of coffee concentrate has become a must-pack item on their travels. It means they can make a certified-delicious coffee anywhere, and all they need is milk or hot water.

Their preferred brand of choice is Dosed — a small business run out of Australia’s coffee capital Melbourne by Catherine and Brendan Gillen. A 200ml bottle contains 15 doses (or shots) but it’s important to note this is coffee concentrate, not cold brew — the latter of which is far weaker.

Unlike powdered coffee which can be dehydrated and stripped of its natural aromas and richness, coffee concentrate maintains its flavour potency.

Though their initial motivation when creating Dosed wasn’t heavily focused on travel, Catherine and Brendan say it has been interesting to see its take-up in that space.

“We’ve seen a lot of customers packing it for overseas trips because they can’t reliably find good coffee where they’re going,” Brendan says.

“It’s become popular with people staying in Airbnbs or short-stay accommodation where there’s no proper set-up, as well as caravaners who want something easy but still high-quality.

“One of our favourites was a hiking group in New Zealand who ordered boxes of Dosed specifically to take on their hike. They wanted something lightweight, simple, and reliable, but still smooth and high-quality. And we’ve also had customers tell us they pack it for resorts in Bali, because even on holiday they don’t want to roll the dice on coffee.”

Leaning into this, they have released a travel-size bottle so travellers can take it in carry-on luggage.

Dosed coffee has two ingredients: water and coffee beans. It is three times stronger than any other coffee concentrate in Australia.

There are other options on the market you can buy from Coles and Woolworths, but you’ll often see preservatives and acidity regulators on the ingredients list.

Like me, you’d be wrong to assume this item is only suited to international trips.

I finally got to try it while on a staycation at The Esplanade Hotel recently.

Sitting at the breakfast buffet with Sophie and Jake, I took a tentative sip — hesitant, but open-minded — and was genuinely surprised to find I liked it given I typically enjoy my coffee doused in caramel syrup and sugar.

In fact, Stephen mocks my coffee order on the regular by adding “oh, and a unicorn tear” when ordering at the till.

Like us, travel essentials come in all shapes and sizes. They’re different for everyone.

If this takes your fancy, you too can tumble out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, and pour yourself a cup of coffee ambition (of sorts) . . . anywhere.

getdosed.co