A foodie traveler is satisfied by pointing out ingredients, creating invoices and budgets, or planning ahead of time. Food is part of their lifestyle; it makes them feel alive in a new country.
But it's about more than sticking with the local cuisine; sometimes, you want to get away from it all by trying fresh meals or meeting people from across the world like you in one place. You can follow your taste buds into new cultures and meet local people who share your passion for food.
If you are a frequent traveler, you know what it is like to find yourself back in the hotel room with a tummy ache after eating in a new city you stumbled upon during your travels.
1. Carry a Few Key Kitchen Items
You only need part of the kitchen pantry to enjoy a great meal on the go. Consider buying a collapsible bowl, pot, and a metal set of utensils. These resources are easy to transport, and you can use them multiple times before washing them.
A travel berkey from Big Berkey Water Filters is a great travel companion that allows you to drink clean, pure water anywhere. This is especially important when traveling in countries with polluted standing water and you are still determining what is swimming in it.
2. Cut Corners
Simplify your recipes using basic tools and equipment like a blender or a sandwich toaster. If you use a pan, try to make it non-stick, so the food does not stick.
Besides saving on clean-up, having few utensils allows you to pack less stuff. If you are making a stew, use water instead of stock. This will give your dish more flavor and make it healthier. When traveling, every kilogram counts when it comes to luggage.
3. Cook Local and Cook Seasonal
Travelers should rely on something other than hotel restaurants due to the chance of cross-contamination. This can come in handy when you are staying in a place where there is no air conditioning and heaters are used. Try to visit local farmers markets and take a cooking class in your destination. You will learn recipes to bring home and share with your family and friends.
Cooking classes are a great way to get away from whatever stresses you might have at home and enjoy bonding time with the other people in the class. By cooking local and seasonal ingredients, you are getting a more authentic taste of the place you are in.
4. Carry Some Essential Ingredients
You do not have to bring hundreds of spices and condiments on your trip. You can always purchase them at your destination. By carrying ingredients you know will work well with any dish, you do not have to reinvent the wheel whenever you want a new meal.
Lighter foods such as vegetables and chicken breasts fit nicely in your suitcase or backpack, but if you have a very active day planned during your trip, pack some high-calorie snacks like nuts and energy bars.
5. Sometimes, it's Worth Buying Kitchen Equipment Even if You Leave it Behind
Keeping you healthy allows you to create amazing iced coffee and drinks perfect for hotter days. Even if you are not planning on leaving your kitchen at home, there may be some items that you want to keep for later use. You can use your credit card to purchase something like this online and leave it for future use.
6. Only Buy What You Need
If you are trying to collect only some of the kitchen equipment in every kitchen you visit, wait to buy it because it is on sale. This does not mean you have to say no to buying utensils because you have enough at home for basic cooking.
When you are in a tourist area, local restaurants will likely be more expensive, and you may find yourself paying more than if you had purchased your ingredients at a farmers market. This can lead to overspending, so before shopping around for an outdoor market close to where you are staying, stock up on supplies with fewer tourists.
Traveling can be a very exciting adventure. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget that food can make or break your trip.
You will want to go and try new things, but you want to do this while staying healthy and keeping your wallet intact. A water filtration system is a good idea if you plan to camp in or travel through areas without running water. You can take it with you, fill it up, and use it.