I guess there's no use denying that I'm a tea snob. And, when traveling, no self-respecting tea snob would ever drink tea made in a coffee maker in the room. And I don't want to wait till breakfast to have my first cup of the day. And who knows if that's going to be up to standard!
The answer I came up with on my last trip was: a tea travel kit. The question: which kettle? It seems most are made of plastic, and that just won't do. A few hours of research led me to the Bonavita Dual Voltage 0.5L Electric Travel Kettle and convinced me that it's the kettle for me.
Perfect for the person who is the lone tea-drinker in the office, it could also be used in a college dorm room, RV or boat. And for pour-over coffee as well as tea. Hmm ... I do happen to have a 0.5L French press.
Perfect for the person who is the lone tea-drinker in the office, it could also be used in a college dorm room, RV or boat. And for pour-over coffee as well as tea. Hmm ... I do happen to have a 0.5L French press.
The Bonavita Dual Voltage 0.5L Electric Travel Kettle is stainless steel, no plastic in contact with the water. It is compact, lightweight, easy to use and has auto shutoff after boiling. Dual voltage means it works anywhere; just take along an adapter plug and a coin for turning the button on the bottom of the kettle to the voltage required.
At 0.5 liters, it's just big enough to make 2 cups of tea, but my husband isn't quite as desperate for his morning cuppa as I am, so I put together my kit just for me. A mug setup is much simpler for travel purposes than a teapot, cup and saucer; so here's what I put together.
Update 03/18/19: These Amazon links are to the non-dual voltage version as the dual voltage version is not currently on Amazon. Here is a link to Bonavita Dual Voltage Kettle at the Bonavita site.
Update 03/18/19: These Amazon links are to the non-dual voltage version as the dual voltage version is not currently on Amazon. Here is a link to Bonavita Dual Voltage Kettle at the Bonavita site.
Tea Travel Kit
2 A mug and infuser for loose leaf tea. Like this ForLife Curve Tall Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid. Or whatever mug and strainer you are already using at home.
3 A small tray that is big enough to hold the kettle, mug and whatever else you might want to put on it AND small enough to fit into your bag. My tray is 11x7 inches/28x18cm.
4 A leftover tea tin into which you've measured the amount of tea you think you'll need for the length of trip you're taking; and don't forget the measuring spoon. Or just take a tin of teabags.
5 Paper towels for easy cleanup. (And maybe a few shortbread or digestive biscuits!)
5 Paper towels for easy cleanup. (And maybe a few shortbread or digestive biscuits!)
6 A bag to hold everything. Like the squishy and easily packable Thermos Raya Duffle Lunch Bag, which was available at my local Target in only a riotous multi-colored pattern, so I ordered this tamer one from Amazon. A soft cooler is not needed for this purpose, but it happened to be the right size and shape. Between trips, I can use it for lunch.
Having along one of my major comforts of home makes travel much more enjoyable. How about you? Do you take along tea or coffee kits or any other comforts from home when you travel?
Since January is National Hot Tea Month, I thought I'd celebrate by giving away a Bonavita Travel Kettle!
Update 01/11/17: The giveaway is now closed.
Since January is National Hot Tea Month, I thought I'd celebrate by giving away a Bonavita Travel Kettle!
Update 01/11/17: The giveaway is now closed.
Bonavita Dual Voltage 0.5L Electric
Travel Kettle Giveaway
This giveaway is open to US residents* 18 years of age or older. Leave a comment below (one entry per person) that includes where you want to take your Bonavita Travel Kettle. Please include your email address in the body of your comment. Must enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday January 11.
* If you are outside the US but would like to have this sent to someone in the US (you would have to send them a gift card separately on your own), go ahead and enter!
Winner will be chosen by random drawing and be announced here in the comments before noon Eastern time on Thursday January 12. If I don't hear back from the winner of the random drawing by noon Eastern time Sunday January 15, another drawing will be held and a new winner selected from the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).
Disclosure: Bonavita provided a kettle for review purposes and one for the giveaway. I received no compensation. The views expressed here are entirely my own. I always tell my readers what I really think!
Jean
Jean
115 comments:
Sounds like a cool kit :-)) Now I am off to make some tea
Happy New Year, Jean.
Thanks, Angie! I'll never be without a proper cup of tea again! Enjoy your tea.
Well isn't that the loveliest tea travel kit! You've thought of everything, Jean, and you will make some lucky person a very happy winner. I'll drink a sip of tea to that! Happy New Year blessings to you!
A perfect size for my small apartment and also for traveling. I can picture this in my cabin on my next cruise.
Thanks, Kitty! I hope all my tea friends who travel will put one together for their next trip.
Yes, cak813, I hadn't thought of that, in your cabin on a cruise!
You must be the healthiest person on the planet, given the good press of tea. But then, what does that make me? Doctors give me rave reviews, and I hate tea. Maybe carrying a tea kit on trips will bridge the gap. I could put all those little skin lotion samplers they stock hotel rooms with in the pot and carry vitamins in the tea tin. Naw. I shall abstain from the giveaway. I do feel a smidgen healthier, however, just reading your column. Pip, pip!
Oh yes, I bring tea things when we travel to Florida for a month but on a grander scale with my own kettle, 6 cup teapot, cup and saucer, mug, local honey in a squeeze bear container and lots of different teas. Familiarity makes for a comfortable and special for me tea.
I use a stovetop kettle but have been reading about the benefits of an electric one - faster by far to boil the water.
I'm in Canada but can think of a number of tea friends who would love to win your giveaway Jen and your idea of surprising someone with this gift is an awesome idea.
Best wishes for this new year!
Sully, perhaps you could use the kettle for melting down coffee ice cream in a hurry? :D Much as a I recommend tea, I wouldn't want to mess with your regime when it is so clearly working for you!
Judith, I'm so glad you can enter this one! It's been decades since I last went somewhere for an entire month -- that would definitely call for the full-on tea gear!
I'd love a travel tea pot. I am not a coffer drinker and most hotels only have coffee makers. If you use it your tea tastes like coffee. I'd take this tea pot with me everywhere. Thank you. Koleka@hotmail
Koleka, you are so right about that. And coffee-flavored tea is not a good thing!
I'd love to take this to Israel with me! Such a fun giveaway!
Thanks, Regan! I must see Israel one day!
What a lovely tea kit for those of us who must have our tea when we travel. I would love to take this to England. I imagine I would need to use our voltage converter. Happy New Year Jean! ♥
Martha, just take a coin along to turn the button on the bottom of the kettle to the higher voltage and use your adapter plug. So easy even low-tech little me can handle it! Have a wonderful 2017 (and I'll want to hear all about your trip to England!).
Oh, please enter my name! We did not have power for several days after Hurricane Matthew and I remember thinking how much I wanted a hot water kettle that would plug in my car so I could have tea! What a useful giveaway.
Nita in SC
Nita, this would have been just the thing! It's the perfect emergency kit kettle!
I am so glad you popped into my blog and left a comment! It gave me a chance to come meet you. I have spent some time browsing your blog. Your recipes sound wonderful. I love this travel tea kit! I would take it with me whenever I travel, but I a hoping my next trip will be to Charleston, SC this spring.
Penny
Oh my, where do I want to go? Definitely someplace snowy and wintery! I don't get enough snow here in southern Missouri. We have a light dusting over the roads, but not even enough to cover the grass. I love how clean and fresh and bright it makes everything... at least at first. So, I'm not sure where exactly, but someplace north. Maybe Vermont where my friend Mrs. White lives, or maybe Colorado where my friend Roxy lives. My friend Linda is getting lots of snow in New York, but I don't feel inclined to go there. ~grin~
Be blessed Jean! You really should consider the I Want to Give You a Bear Hug book. It's really adorable.
Happy new year!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Penny, thank you! Oh to be in Charleston in the spring! I'm going to be so jealous. I've always wanted to go there. Maybe this will be the year I do.
Thanks, Laura. Those all sound like good choices, but I'd probably go with either Vermont or upstate New York. Colorado is gorgeous, too, but I can't do high altitudes.
What a wonderful giveaway! I can never wait for breakfast, but need my coffee right away, even when traveling. Besides, restaurant coffee is made for the masses. Lol. But because I would feel guilty using it for coffee instead of tea, I will pass so it can go to a true tea lover.
This is so adorable! I would love to have that for my home and to take on family getaways! Thanks didn't opportunity ��
My4pickles@yahoo.com
Judy, you can use the kettle for coffee as well. Just take a little pour-over coffee setup instead of the tea things!
Vicky, I'm glad you like it! It IS cute, isn't it!
I would take this camping!
Great idea, Elizabeth!
Happy New Year and Hot Tea Month, Jean! Love your tea travel kit! Such a cute idea!
Thanks, Margie! Wishing you a wonderful 2017 and happy Hot Tea Month!
What a wonderful kit and kettle! I'd travel to the little cabin my daughter lives in in the snowy Cascades in northwest Washington state. rusthawk at gmail dot com
Thanks, rusthawk! I need to get a lighter tray for my kit, but other than that, it's perfect for me.
I love this! We are heading out on a two week road trip in February and this would be perfect for the trip we are heading down the Oregon and California coast and wherever else we can go in that time frame. avosslm at gmail dot com
What a wonderful giveaway. I'm in Canada, but I can think of a few US based friends who love their tea!
I'm inspired to make up such a kit for myself!
I get to travel quite a bit but I would be just as happy to stay in my own comfy environment with an individual guilt free serving size.
I do like an afternoon cup of tea with a cheese and pickle sandwich.
Thank you for such a lovely giveaway opportunity! I just love the whole Tea Travel Kit! It is really nice!
Annamarie, what a wonderful road trip you have planned! Wishing you a safe and fun trip!
Lorrie, thank you. I'm glad you like my kit! And this kettle would make a lovely gift.
Nancy, you can sign me up for an afternoon cup of tea with a cheese and pickle sandwich!
Karenann, thank you. Glad you like my kit! But I do need to get a lighter tray.
Leslie:
We will be living in our camper for a few months to visit family this summer. This would be a big help in a small kitchen with few of my tools.
leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
Oh, Leslie, how fun! Yes, this would be perfect for camper life!
I would love to use this Bonavita Travel Kettle on a trip to see my mom and brothers in Ohio. It's a long trip from here in southeastern NC, and we stay in a motel once on the way there and once on the way back. It isn't an exotic place, but it's family, and I love them. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Fonda rush88888 at gmail dot com Happy New Year to you!
Oh, my heavens!! I would love to have that! Hubby and I travel a lot and this would be perfect! Right now we are for three months in Florida -- I'm having to boil my water in a big saucepan. :-( Now I love coffee but I've become a tea snob too. I know it doesn't make sense but morning is no longer morning if I don't have my tea. I've really been enjoying Puh Ehr in the morning. In fact, it is dark but not acidic -- has an earthy flavor I really enjoy. I'm out of it so I have to try and get some more. What's your favorite? This set would be perfect for us. All totaled we travel six months out of the year. Have a wonderful weekend. marisa.stewart@comcast.net
Thanks, rush. I hope you have a wonderful 2017 and trip to Ohio. I don't mind that it isn't "an exotic place," I had one of the best months of my life there many years ago. Met some of the most wonderful people.
Marisa, it sounds like you could really use this kettle! My favorite teas are loose leaf black teas: English breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Assam. Happy travels!
would love to win this - a cousin gave me a collection of teas for a christmas present, and this would be perfect to test drive them. thanks for the chance to win. --suz in ohio
Suz, a collection of teas is just the best present in the world! I do love my tea!
I have a friend who is a tea lover and thinking she would love this travel kit as a gift. Thanks for linking up with Blogging Grandmothers.
Okay, time to admit something major. I have never had tea in my life. Or coffee. (Do you still like me?) I am a one-hot-beverage kind of guy, and that is cocoa. Weird, huh? However (and you don't need to include me in the giveaway), while I was in the U.K. these past few weeks, I fell in love with the electric kettles! So good for so many things!
Love your tea travel kit. My cocoa kit is smaller by along the same idea. My own wonderful Pernigotti cocoa and sugar. I can always buy milk wherever I go!
Candace, that's so nice of you to think of her. I'm sure she'd love it!
David, that's okay! My husband never liked hot beverages (even hot cocoa) until he hooked up with me, and only in recent years has he really taken to tea and has still never tasted so much as a sip of coffee. So, you see, I don't hold that sort of thing against a guy! I love that you ave a cocoa kit!
This tea travel kit looks awesome! What a great idea, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Cecilia! I'm sure enjoying it!
We love to cruise so it would be perfect for the cabins.
Thanks, Susan, it really would!
What a lovely idea. I always take my favorite teas when I travel.
Thank you, Mary! I'm glad to hear you take your favorites along, too.
My sisters and I are planning a trip to England in the near future to see Beatrix Potter's home and also that of Jane Austen. We lived there for 2 years as kids, so we'd love to go back and see our home and school. That teapot would surely come in handy! kellam.susan@yahoo.com
Susan, how I envy you! You and your sisters won't mind if I tag along, will you? :-) When I was in the Lake District, I was so busy seeing my mother's family's home, etc, that I never got around to Beatrix Potter's.
I take mine on our trips...or I did until it finally died a few months ago...and have taken it on a cruise too! We always take our own teas. A wonderful giveaway! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth
Ruth, I might have known YOU would "have tea, will travel"!
I am not eligible for the really nice tea kit. Oh well, good thing that I am happy with coffee, I hope that is not swearing.
Kathleen thanks for commenting. And, yes, that kinda IS swearing! :D But, seriously, you *could* use the kettle for coffee, if you do pour-over or French press.
I thought I was picky about my tea, but you beat me. That is such a good idea to travel with your own kit!
Thanks, ARC, Sugar! One can never be too picky about one's tea!
I would love to have a way to make tea while traveling! I am excited that the carafe does not have a plastic interior. You have such good taste!
My husband is planning to move us, temporarily, while he gets his pilot's license. We may be going to Arizona for that , and I would bring this little tea maker along if I win. My email address is: simpleinspirations101@gmail.com
Thank you, Sister in the Mid-west! Enjoy your stay in Arizona! I've been there a few times, and it was beautiful. Be sure to learn in advance about the different types of desert there and then be on the lookout for them.
Hi Jean,
What a great give away. Lovely! I think this set would like a trip to the beach on the Oregon Coast... and would be happy to take it there.
Love,
Lily
I could relate to everything you were saying...I don't want my tea brewed in a pot that's made coffee.. I don't like that I have to wait until breakfast to have my first cup.What a great idea to have this travel kit....and wonder why I didn't think of it myself.
I would take my Bonavita Travel Kettle with me while Hubs and I travel around the US in our vintage trailer Minnie Driv'r. Its size would be prefect for our 88 sq foot traveling home. Every inch of space must be maximize and it would be using this and giving me the joy of drinking my need whenever like...
I live in il and my email is cathy@my1929charmer.com
Thanks ever so much for the great opportunity to possible get one.
Marilyn, thank you! Yes, and even when you're not traveling ... I'm thinking of carrying it with me when I visit friends in town who don't have proper tea making stuff!
Oh, dear Lily, I hope you get to take that trip -- it sounds wonderful to me! Hope you're staying warm and cozy and will have a wonderful 2017.
Cathy, I'm glad you like my idea! And it would be perfect for Minnie Driv'r. It must be such fun staying in Minnie!
Such a neat little kit! Would love to win but leery about exposing my email publicly. And no way would I ever use a coffee pot in a hotel room, not even for coffee! Thank you for partying with us at Blogging Grandmothers Link Party. I shared your post on my social media sites.
Grammy Dee, thank you so much for sharing my post on your social media! Much appreciated! I understand about the email address, which is why I and many others who have a need to put our email address on our blog write the email address in a way that helps prevent it from being harvested by spambots. But I know how to contact you (contact form), so you're in!
That looks like an amazing travel kit! I'm going to check out the kettle know!
ps- thank you for your kind comments on my blog!
Thank you, Deanna. And the kit is easy to put together; I've linked to everything you need! It's such a great little kettle!
Jean, this travel kit sounds very nice, Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. tweeting.
Thanks, Swathi! AND for the tweet!
I'm definitely sharing this post with a friend of mine who always takes a collection of teas when she travels but does use the coffee maker to heat her water. She will love it.
Jean,
I just love your Tea Travel Kit, I sometimes feel I am a Tea Snob. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Karen, thanks so much. Maybe your friend will win the kettle! Once she tries it, she'll never go back to heating her water in the coffee maker!
Thank you, Miz Helen! We tea snobs have to stick together! :-)
This post makes me so happy because I always take my own tea maker when traveling! Once when I did it as "carry on" I got a few curious looks from the TSA.... Hey, a girl needs her tea!
That's right, Pamela, a girl needs her tea! Glad you like the post!
I guess I'm a tea snob too as I completely agree with bringing a travel kettle! This looks like a great one :) Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam x
Thanks, Bridget! I love finding fellow tea snobs!
I bring a travel kettle when I do road trips. Just recently, I brought it along to LA and Vegas, and it was so useful; and definitely comforts me inside out when I have a cup of warm water in the chilly mornings.
Thank you!
email: icewine34@gmail.com
I want to take my kettle with me to Amman when I study abroad in Jordan! Tea will be such a nice reminder of home :)
Thanks, tigerfish. Good to know others like to travel with kettles!
Caitlin, I've heard hot tea is very popular in Jordan but that they serve it very sweet. If, like me, you don't like it sweet, you might need to make your own.
Jean, what a great little travel kit. I would take it with me on a holiday to the beach. Any Beach, as long as it's warm. Heck, any Beach as long as I can hear the waves crashing! I miss living by the ocean. Bruce and I went to Mexico several years ago and our hotel was right on the beach with the patio overlooking the ocean. Every morning we would get up and make our own hot beverage, sit on the patio and greet the day. Is there anything more beautiful and calming than a cup and the waves? At the end of the night we would meet back on the patio with our cup of tea and listen to the waves and relax and talk about our day. It was the best vacation I've ever taken and we had such a great time.
Nikkifrankhamilton@gmail.com oops! Forgot!
Thanks, Nikki. Your description of that vacation just gave me a sort-of mini-vacation! We once stayed in a hotel room that was actually over the water. Standing on the balcony was like standing at the rail of a ship. They supplied earplugs in case you were bothered by the waves crashing at night. We didn't use them!
I want to take it on a road trip to Arizona to visit my son. :) shroomfrog at comcast dot net
Sounds wonderful, Carla!
I would take it to work. It is so cold in some classrooms! thanks
Nikki, yes, it's perfect for that!
Oh I love tea so much! I need this in my life! x
And I love your enthusiasm for tea, RCR!
Good morning, lovely Jean! My, what a delight traveling tea set and I must confess that I am with you and would not make my tea in coffee pot in the hotel room so I guess we can be tea snobs together {{smiles}}
Let's see, I would definitely use this set when traveling which my husband and I are hoping to do this year since it's out 10th wedding anniversary in May. We are talking about visiting Canada and seeing my family in Ontario so I would most definitely take this on that trip :)
Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. Hugs to you!
Oh, sweet Stephanie, how I would love to be taking my tea kit to Ontario! I would love to visit Stratford again, see several plays there, then move along to Niagara-on-the-Lake, see a few plays there, maybe go to Niagara Falls. Whatever you do, you'll have a lovely time!
Love the idea of this wonderful travel kettle, Jean. As you can imagine, I hate to be too far from a cup of tea and this would ensure I never was! Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul.
So true, April! That's the thing with me as well. So it's reassuring to have my travel tea kit with me!
What a perfect little set up for your travel. though I drink coffee (pour over) in the morning, I must have my afternoon cup of tea. I like your little bag and it's perfect (and stylish) for your intended use!
I would love to take this with us on trips. it would be great to be a little pampered early in the morning.
Vickie
grocerymoney15 @ yahoo.com
Thanks, podso. And, of course, you can use it for your pour-over coffee in the morning as well as your tea in the afternoon!
Yes, Vickie, that early morning pampering is soooo nice!
This would save me from taking the rather large electric pot I have now. fingers crossed!!!
earlgreyaddict@gmail.com
EGA, I'm so glad you entered! I was hoping you'd see this. I'm looking forward to your next Earl Grey review.
*Giveaway Winner Announced* - The winner of the Bonavita travel kettle, by random drawing, is Lorrie. Lorrie, as soon as you send me, delightfulrepast at aol dot com, the name, address and phone number (required by shipper), Bonavita will send the kettle. Congratulations!
If I don't hear from the winner of the random drawing by 11:59 am Eastern time Sunday, January 15, another drawing will be held and new winner selected from among the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).
This was fun! Watch for more giveaways here at Delightful Repast! In the meantime, follow me on Google, Pinterest and Twitter. You can even use the Follow Me By Email button in the right column.
I love a good cup of tea and it's always the very first thing that I miss when I'm away from home. This looks like the perfect set up for a tea connoisseur and definitely makes a handy travel pack. Great post and giveaway. Thanks for linking up with #DreamTeam x
Thanks, RWW! Once you try it, you'll never leave home without it! :-)
I just subscribed to your blog and will get the email when you post. After 40 years in the US I still bring my tea from Germany. I bring black and herbal teas . I travel very light these days but I love your little travel kit.
Gerlinde, I would do the same. It would be like a little taste of home! Thank you for subscribing. I don't know quite how that works, so let me know if you get the email next week.
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