KaffeBox Subscription Box Review – January 2016

Kaffe Box is a monthly coffee subscription featuring select whole bean coffees from Scandinavia’s best roasters.  Each month, you receive two bags of beans from a different roaster.

The interior of the box arrived lined with a coffee-themed sheet portraying scenes of coffee processing.  The paper was glossy and actually makes a cool approximately 10″x 16″ poster.

The info card has a giant Kaffe Box logo on one side and details on the coffee on the reverse side.

Information on the two coffees selected for this month’s box, as well as a bit of background on the roasters who produced it.  Kaffe Box lets the roasters select which beans will represent their work, ensuring that you receive the beans of which they are most proud.     This month’s offerings come from Koppi, a roaster and coffee bar in Helsingborg, Sweden.  

Everything in the box — coffee, info card, and a bonus surprise.

The bags are provided with the roaster’s labels, which is a bit different than most coffee subscriptions that rebag in their own branding.  I think this is a good thing — you get the coffee just as it would be packed for customers at the roasters, so you get the authentic experience.  Plus, you get to check out the distinct labelling of each roaster, which can be fun.  The only drawback I see is the potential for scant labelling from some roasters — but the Kaffe Box info card is very thorough, so I don’t think you’d miss much.

Koppi selected an Ethiopian blend and a Costa Rican bean.

Biftu Gudina Mixed Local Heirloom (Ethiopia):  This mix of local heirloom varieties from around Agaro is left to soak overnight after mechanical pulping, allowing slight fermentation.  This brew has a very tea-like flavor and would make a lovely iced coffee.    It is slightly tannic and is likely more tea-flavored than one would like for a daily cup.  It has some floral and fruit notes expected in Ethiopian beans.

Monte Copey Red Catuai – El Alto (Costa Rica):  Fully washed, these beans had a  very clean profile, with a dry chocolate base and some berry and stone fruit notes (generic peach/plum-type flavors).  The mid range and mouthfeel on this bean was very light.  I think this is a perfect bean for making espresso or other powerful coffee brews, as the clean profile would concentrate well without any strong bitter or off flavors.

The Costa Rican beans (left) actually had a slightly red tint to them.  Both varieties were very tiny beans, indicative of a high letter rating.

As a fun extra, Kaffe Box sends an entire sheet of temporary tattoos!

This is a good coffee subscription, and I like the geographic appeal — this is a nice way to sample some quality goods from Scandinavia without worrying about salted licorice or fermented fish!   The different roaster each month promises tons of variety, each with new packaging to admire while you sip.

Visit KaffeBox to subscribe or find out more!