Bespoke Post is a monthly men’s subscription box. Unlike most subscription boxes, you get to preview the new Bespoke Post box offerings on the first of each month, and you can easily skip any month you aren’t interested in your account section.
This is a review of the 'Crema' box.
This box is still available if you want to grab it!
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Bespoke Post
The Cost: $45 a month
The Products: Monthly lifestyle items, curated around a theme.
Ships to: US and Canada
Check out all of my Bespoke Post Reviews to get more information on this subscription. Check out all of our Men's Subscription Boxes in the Subscription Box List. Rate, review, and follow this subscription on the Bespoke Post profile page.
The Crema box features four items that all revolve around espresso, one of which was customizable - you could choose your mug and saucer color.
Crema comes with a little information packet detailing each item in the box. It also has a nice guide on how to use your new tools to make different types of coffee drinks!
Primula 6-Cup Espresso/Demitasse Maker – Value $14.99
First up this month we get this 6-cup espresso/demitasse maker from Primula. I’ve owned a smaller version of this for years but not in the iconic Bialetti style, so I was excited to have one that could make espresso for many people at once. The maker comes in 5 parts: the base which holds your water, the sieve which holds your coffee, the rubber washer and filter plate that keep the grinds out of your final product, and the pot which your espresso percolates into. Cleanup is easy - just knock the sieve on the side of a trash can or rinse the grinds down a garbage disposal. The particular one I got had some sharp edges around the seams and inside the base so be careful on your first wash!
Acme Demitasse Cups - Value $12.32 (Based on 6-pack pricing. Bespoke Post lists as $28 for cups and saucers)
Acme Saucers – Value $11.59 (Based on 6-pack pricing. Bespoke Post lists as $28 for cups and saucers)
Next up we get this nice, heavy, matching set of espresso cups and saucers! These are made by Acme in New Zealand and are featured in many coffeehouses around the world, including Toby’s Estate in New York and many Stumptown locations. These cups feel perfect for a shot of espresso and have a pleasant heft even when empty. They stack nicely for storage too.
Prepara Evak Medium Airtight Storage Container – Value $19.99 (Based on 2-pack pricing)
The third item this month is this airtight storage container from Prepara! The Evak series is a glass container with a low-profile lid. Simply fill with your favorite coffee (or other dry goods), push down the lid lightly, and it allows all air to escape and keeps your foods from being exposed. Coffee can lose it’s aroma quickly after being exposed to air, so it’s wise to keep it sealed up, and this canister is leaps and bounds better at that than rolling up a coffee bag! The medium size we get here is 24 ounces but holds about a half pound of coffee. I’ve been using airtight canisters to hold coffee for a while now, and can definitely attest to the fact that it stays fresher longer.
Jack's Stir Brew Coffee - Espresso Blend – Value $4.23 (Based on 1 pound)
Finally this month, we get a quarter pound of coffee from Jack’s Stir Brew. Jack’s has been featured in Bespoke Post boxes in the past (see my Bloom review from last year). It’s a decent coffee that I believe is a little over-roasted but does have a full flavor profile. It is organic and fair trade, and Jack’s “secret ingredient” is the Stir Brewer, a patented device that stirs the coffee throughout brewing, allowing a full extraction of flavor. I couldn’t exactly stir the coffee that was sealed away in the espresso maker, but I did end up making a nice pot of espresso with these!
First things first, I had to gather my new gear. I set a pot of water on to boil since the Bespoke Post guide mentions to start with hot water so you don’t let the beans sit too long.
Next, I measured out enough dry beans to fill the sieve, about 24 grams. After adding a few drops of water to the whole beans to reduce the static, I did a medium grind on the Jack’s beans. 24 grams ended up being a little too much for the sieve, so I scraped off the excess with the blade of my coffee spoon.
Once my beans were ready and my water had boiled, I added the hot water to the base of the Primula, filling it to just below the pressure valve. I then placed the sieve in the base and assembled the espresso maker. Make sure to tighten the top and bottom halves as much as you can - you want to keep the water and beans under pressure.
I put the maker on to boil on mid/low heat, and after a few minutes, my espresso started to bubble up into the pot! It started to spatter at the end but for most of the brew it just slowly trickled out the sides. Once I heard the water boil off in the base I turned off the heat.
I ended up with a ton of delicious, rich espresso! The beans from Jack’s were much better suited to this kind of coffee drink. Using just 24 grams of coffee to make 6 shots of espresso is fantastic! I use more than that to make a single thermos of Aeropress in the mornings, so this little tool is quite a value for me.
I didn’t make it for this review, but I highly recommend mixing a shot of espresso with a can of root beer over ice the next time you feel like an iced coffee drink.
Verdict: This was a really nicely curated collection of items for the aspiring or long-time coffee connoisseur. For $45 you get $63.12 worth of products, which is a pretty great deal. Check out the latest selections for October if you’re thinking of subscribing!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of publication, this box was still available!
Coupon – Save 25% off your first box! with coupon code ADDICT25
Value Breakdown: At $45 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Primula 6-Cup Espresso/Demitasse Maker: $10.69
- Acme Demitasse Cups: $8.78
- Acme Saucers: $8.26
- Prepara Evak Medium Airtight Storage Container: $14.25
- Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee – Espresso Blend: $3.02
What do you think of the Crema Bespoke Post box?
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