KaffeBox is a monthly specialty coffee box featuring Scandinavia’s top micro-roasteries. This coffee is available in small lots, sourced from roasteries who are committed to a fair and open dialogue with the coffee farmers, facilitate direct trade and are focused on extremely high-quality coffee. They also partner with water.org, and every bag of beans that you receive through this subscription provides three months of clean water to a person in a developing country.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is for the $37 per month, 2 bag subscription of whole bean coffee.
About KaffeBox
The Subscription Box: KaffeBox
The Cost: There are 4 levels of subscription available. The prices are listed in Swedish Kronas but I’ve included the estimated USD for review purposes.
- $22 USD / 1, 8.8 oz. bags
- $37 USD / 2, 8.8 oz. bags
- $52 USD / 3, 8.8 oz. bags
- $66 USD / 4, 8.8 oz. bags
The Products: 1 to 4 250 g (or 8.8 oz bags) of small lot, fair trade, Scandinavian micro-roast coffee.
Ships to: Worldwide! (Shipping costs vary based on destination.)
Good to know: Coffee is shipped within two days of roasting, you can choose the grind settings, amount of coffee and type you receive. If you’re unhappy with the coffee you receive, this subscription will refund your payment.
KaffeBox June 2018 Review
This month KaffeBox featured coffees from Ethiopia and Rwanda, that were roasted by Jacobsen Og Svart in Norway.
I brewed both coffees using the same process. First, I ground the beans fresh in a Burr grinder (using a medium course setting). Then, I used a French Press to brew. This is my preferred method, and we do this about two times a day at my house. I prefer medium to dark roasted blends with mild acidity.
Jacobsen Og Svart - Guji Gigessa / Burtukaana (Ethiopia) – Retail Value $19.55
Taste Profile: Blueberry, strawberry, sweet cherry
Roast Date: May 23rd, 2018. I sampled it on June 18th, 2018.
Each bag of coffee includes an information card, detailing attributes like taste, origin, producer, variety, harvest, and altitude. Note that the name of this coffee on the package and the card do not match, but I believe them to be interchangeable varieties from the same region.
Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and the only place for coffee to grow wild. This is an heirloom variety. I find Ethiopian coffees to be fairly sweet, and this definitely had a front note of berries. Without even reading the tasting card I would have guessed cherries and blueberries, so I was excited to see that I was right!
This was a lighter roast than I typically drink, but I found it pleasant and a nice, hot summer day brew!
Jacobsen Og Svart - Gataba (Rwanda) – Estimated Retail Value $18.15
Taste Profile: Peach, citrus fruits, brown sugar
Roast Date: May 21st, 2018. I sampled it on June 19th, 2018.
This is a medium-light roast, balanced coffee that is full and sweet with acidity. The citrus notes are stronger than I like, coupled with the peach make for almost a sour, lemony taste.
The beans themselves are small and light. This is a red bourbon variety of bean harvested last year, by Epiphanie and her son Samuel Muhirwa in Nyamagabe, Rwanda.
Verdict: This is a different type of subscription box for me – where the value is in supporting the coffee fair trade process and small Scandinavian micro roasteries. It allows you to taste of a cup of coffee you might have never stumbled across otherwise – and adds a bit of variety and culture to your mornings. This month, I love the Ethiopian brew but Rwanda is a little acidic/bitter for my taste. I like that every month brings something new – I didn’t realize how many different varieties of coffee could make me happy!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. The next box will be in your cup the week of July 7th.
Coupon - Save 25% off your first box with code MSA!
Value Breakdown: At $37 for the subscription you’re paying $18.50 for 250g (8.81 oz) of coffee, including shipping. This is expensive coffee - but you're paying for the novelty of great, micro-roasted Scandinavia coffee that you wouldn’t find in your local grocery store, and it’s probably still cheaper than a daily Starbucks habit!
Check out all of our KaffeBox Reviews, and discover more coffee subscriptions in the Drinks Subscription Box Directory!
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