If you are a coffee lover like me, it is so easy to go through your stash quickly and be left wanting. The amount of times I’ve gone into the cupboard after a particularly rough night to find that I used the last of my beans the day before. The disappointment is strong, Now, you can get that strength from the coffee that WILL be in the cupboard because Dog and Hat have launched a subscription service.
Each month, Dog and Hat carefully select coffee from speciality roasters to be included in their Coffee Lovers Club. They use their expert training to select the best there is on the market and, chances are, you won’t have heard of them. They sometimes feature the same roaster but you’ll never get the same coffee twice although if you like one you receive, you can order more. The coffee provided is whole bean only and you’ll get full tasting notes. They also throw in some treats if you’re lucky!
You can choose 2, 3 or 4 bags as part of your subscription and I tried their 2 bag box in August. The booklet that comes with the subscription is so interesting and introduces the roasters, tasting notes and how best to brew the coffee. There was also a sherbert dip as a little treat (remember those?) and an apology from Dog and Hat because the tubes are now made of plastic. I absolutely loved this honesty but more, that they suggested ways to reuse the tube. You’ll find everything else from the subscription is fully recyclable.
There are also a number of options when considering your subscription, depending on your coffee preference. You can choose from assorted, filter, espresso, dark, international filter or international espresso. There are full descriptions on the website though, so you can make the best choice for you and your coffee needs.
My first bag was Kaku from Rabbit Hole Roasters, who are based in Canada. They worked closely with Yunnan Coffee Traders to create a really unique blend and it really does show. Kaku is a reference to the Lahu people in Myanmar who pick the coffee, mid mountain. It is said to be one of the cleanest and freshest washed coffees in the area after most farmers abandoned the area in the late 1990s. The result is a really complex roast in my opinion, but still really drinkable with bitter cacao and a creaminess from vanilla. There is a delicious fruity note that comes out the more you sip too. A lovely coffee and one I would happily keep in my cupboard for an every morning brew.
The Indonesian Team Pegasing coffee from Gold Box Coffee Roasters in Newcastle is another delightful surprise. The roasters source unique and rare coffees directly from the farms and then roast them to perfection. Usually heavy and majorly earthy, this Indonesian coffee is totally different to anything else I have tasted from the region. Tropical fruit adds a lightness with a bit of weight from notes of burnt caramel and a touch of spice.
The Dog and Hat Coffee Lovers Subscription is a lovely way to try different roasts and blends from places you are likely to have never heard of. If you are missing any of the equipment you need to make your coffee, you can also grab this from the Dog and Hat website. They kindly sent me this 2 cup cafetière which is just perfect for when you live alone. I’ve never invested in one before as I just wouldn’t get through the amount of coffee the standard size ones brew. Well, I would, but I’d be even more annoying than I am now! This is a much more manageable size and I’d recommend grabbing one if you’re in a similar position to me. They’re only £8.50 as well, which I think is really reasonable.
The Dog and Hat Coffee Lovers Subscription Boxes start at £17 and you can buy yours on the Dog and Hat website. They currently have an offer of £4 off if you use the code IAMFOUR to celebrate their 4th birthday!
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