In a perfect world, coffee would flow from the heavens endlessly into my favorite mug, with angels and mermaids singing a triumphant song all the while. Unfortunately, we do not live in my dreams, but we can get pretty close. Sohrab and I recently discovered a coffee subscription service – yes, you heard me right – from Blue Bottle Coffee. Our trial packet arrived in the mail yesterday, complete with 2 ounces of whole beans for us to grind to our hearts’ content.
This morning, we did just that. The 2-ounce package provided the perfect amount (with some left over!) for us to make our usual morning brew in our stovetop Bialetti Moka Express. This is one of my favorite ways to try out a new blend, because the brewing process brings out all of the subtleties that the roaster worked so hard to achieve. Part of what makes Blue Bottle so enticing is the freshness of the roast – the coffee was roasted on Wednesday and in my mailbox by Friday. That’s dedication – and you can taste the difference.
Coffee is grown all around the world, in different climates and soils, but there is one thing that unifies these places – a passion for the perfect cup of joe. Everyone’s vision of this perfection is different, so Blue Bottle has curated this coffee culture to bring unique beans to your doorstep. When you decide which subscription tier to go with, you are given control with a hint of mystery. You get to choose how much coffee you need and how often you receive it, but you are given a mere 3 options for what type of coffee you’d like: espresso, blends, or single origin coffees. This model is ideal for the coffee connoisseur who likes to pour an adventure into their cup each morning; you might wake up on the banks of the Nile River or in the depths of the Costa Rican rainforest. Once you find your paradise, you have the option to change up your subscription to really make it your own.
When we signed up to try Blue Bottle, we chose the “blends” option and were sent this adorable and aromatic bag of Mixtape Vol. V. Touted as having hints of black currant, pomelo, and fig, I knew I was in for a smooth and creamy pour. The smell and taste reminded me of what a small, hip coffee shop discovered on a trip up the coast would smell like. It draws you in and keeps you guessing from the first sip to the last gulp.
But, let’s be reasonable here. This was my first cup of Blue Bottle Coffee. My first bag. My first brew. I can’t truly know what this service will be like. But what I do know – and what I can say – is that if it continues on this trajectory, then we are in for a treat. While I wait for my first 6 ounce bag to arrive in a few weeks, I urge you to give it a try and let me know which beans you end up with. Who knows? This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
If you need further enticing, I leave you with this delicious slow motion shot. I can smell it already!
It’s worth noting that the single origin coffees are meant to be more exotic and limited run brews for those who want to further venture with their tastebuds.