In my quest for ever-greater knowledge, I discovered the monthly subscriptions available from roasters in France and other European countries. And I decided to give in to temptation…
As you may know, coffee is much more than just a beverage, and the bottomless pit that is specialty coffee may still scare you a little. For while specialty coffee is a sensory experience, awakening our taste buds and transporting us to a world of rich and varied flavors, it’s also a cost that not all of us are ready to assume when taking our first steps into this world.
As a barista for over 7 years, I first discovered coffee as a fine product through my studies in the hotel and catering industry, then as a gourmet pleasure during my various travels around the world. At the dawn of this new year, which promises to be full of enriching projects for me, I thought it would be interesting to learn more and more and discover a whole host of new coffees. That’s why I’m so curious about the roaster subscriptions. Receiving different, freshly roasted coffees every month – what a great idea! But is it really worth it? That’s the question I’d like to answer every month in 2024.
As we usher in the new year, I’m thrilled to introduce two renowned roasters for the month of January – KB Roasters and Kawa. Both are proudly based in the enchanting city of Paris, France.
Here at KB, I’ve made the delightful choice to opt for:
- 2x250gr espresso: €30.00
- 2x250gr filter: €30.00
At Kawa, I’ve made the delightful choice to receive:
- 2x200gr espresso “micro-lot”: €29.90
- 2x200gr “micro-lot” filter: €29.90
The “micro-lot 88+” option allows you to receive only exceptional coffees.
Welcome to KB Roasters!
Although KB Roasters chooses not to disclose the SCA (Q Grading) ratings for their coffee selection, this is where Kawa shines. They proudly display their coffees’ SCA ratings on their website, allowing you to make an informed choice.
I was genuinely impressed by the swift service provided by KB Roasters. I subscribed and received my order in less than three days, even during the busy festive season – that’s quite remarkable! The coffee bags I received were freshly roasted just a few days prior, so I had to patiently wait a few more days before indulging (as it’s widely known that coffee tastes best between 7 and 21 days post-roasting). The coffees I received were readily available on their online store at the time of delivery, and I was thrilled to save a tidy sum, albeit a small euro.
Here’s what the KB Roasters selection has in store for you:
- Limao Rosa: natural espresso from Brazil
- Aurora Anaerobic: anaerobic washed espresso from Nicaragua
- Huancas Fidel: Peru’s natural filter
- Chelichele Oro: anaerobic fermentation filter from Ethiopia
Within this selection of four coffees, we find a balanced mix of two traditional processes and two that are a bit more experimental. The geographical origins of these coffees aren’t particularly diverse, with three hailing from South and Central America, and one from Africa. However, a quick glance at the store and the roaster’s social media pages reveals an exciting array of coffees from Asian countries as well. This is a delightful bonus for me, as I’m always eager to explore and savor new flavors.
Imagine my astonishment when I found myself delighting in the Brazilian espresso, a pleasure I hadn’t anticipated. You see, I’ve often been skeptical about Brazilian coffees. As the world’s top producer, Brazil sends out a mix of both average and exceptional coffees. Unfortunately, amidst the sea of mediocrity, the true gems often elude me. However, KB Roasters has managed to present a wonderfully balanced, velvety coffee, graced with the flavors of milk chocolate, almonds, and a subtle hint of citrus.
The second espresso offers a delightful floral bouquet, complemented by a hint of acidity, yet devoid of any astringency. The two filter coffees, though distinct in their own ways, both carry a fruity essence and an exotic flair that I find particularly appealing in coffees brewed with gentle methods. A special mention goes to the Chelichele Oro, a filter coffee that strikes a perfect balance with zero acidity, a subtle touch of bitterness, and delightful notes of red fruit, berries, and cocoa. It’s a truly enjoyable experience.
Discover Micro Lots at Kawa
While Kawa ‘s delivery took a bit more time, I was pleasantly surprised to find that three out of the four coffees in my parcel had been freshly roasted after I placed my order. This certainly explains the extra time taken in preparation. Interestingly, none of the coffee varieties I received are currently listed in their online store, or at least not with the same roast. This makes it challenging to determine the value of the subscription. However, I’m keen to keep an eye on their offerings this month and the next, to see if the coffees I’ve received become available online.
Having been a regular customer of Kawa, both in-store and online, I was quite familiar with their offerings. Kawa is well-known for its unique and unconventional coffee varieties, often involving intriguing processes like the strawberry honey method. So, the contents of my package were not entirely unexpected, but still exciting nonetheless.
January brought us a delightful surprise in the form of two unique coffees from the farm of Nestor Lasso. Nestor is a young Colombian producer who, in collaboration with his brother, has gained international recognition for his innovative and experimental techniques. He’s a bit of an enigma in the coffee world, a true trailblazer. Additionally, we were thrilled to feature a coffee from Jhoan Vergara, whose Las Flores farm is closely associated with Nestor Lasso’s operations.
We’re excited to share with you our top selections for Kawa this January:
- Jhoan Vergara: anaerobic washed espresso from Colombia
- Nestor Lasso (Chiroso): anaerobic washed espresso from Colombia
- Finca Hartmann: Panama’s natural filter
- Nestor Lasso (Typica ): anaerobic washed filter from Colombia
We have an intriguing selection of coffee exclusively from Central and South America. It’s worth noting that Colombia and Panama, being neighboring countries, produce similar varieties of coffee, with only a few unique exceptions to each.
Jhoan Vergara’s farm produces a truly delightful coffee, a rich, syrupy Java that teases the palate with hints of exotic and yellow fruits. With its low acidity and natural sweetness, this coffee is a perfect choice for a creamy latte. Nestor Lasso’s two coffee varieties are a delightful surprise. From the refreshing, citrusy Chiroso to the sweet, candy-like Typica, there’s a world of flavors to explore. This has been a fascinating journey, and if you’re eager to uncover new tastes through speciality coffees, I wholeheartedly recommend trying El Diviso’s offerings.
The last coffee I had the pleasure of tasting truly stood out – the renowned Finca Hartmann from Panama. It presented a robust, full-bodied filter, intriguingly tinged with a hint of almond-like bitterness. The subtle brewing methods beautifully amplified the notes of red fruit and brown sugar, making it my absolute favorite.
As we wrap up this invigorating month of January, we’re excited to introduce you to two distinct roasters. Despite their contrasting values and methodologies, both bring a unique and captivating charm to the table. So, let’s dive in and explore what makes each of them so intriguing!
Having given it some thought, I’ve decided to stick with just the KB espresso and Kawa filter subscriptions for the upcoming month of February. This will allow me to use the leftover budget to explore offerings from a different roaster, ideally within the same price range. If you have any suggestions or a particular roaster that has piqued your interest, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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