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Explorer Box Tasting
Taste the Explorer box with us!
Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour!
THREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO TASTE THE EXPLORER BOX
WEEKLY ZOOM TASTINGS
Grab your explorer box and join our customer-exclusive tastings every Saturday, led by Driftaway's coffee educators.
RECORDED TASTING
Can't make a Saturday tasting? Watch a recording instead! We record the first tasting of every month.
SELF-GUIDED TASTING
Can't join the Zoom tasting? Follow our step-by-step guide to do a tasting at your convenience, whether you have 10 minutes or 30!
"It was super informative! very accessible—I don't know a ton about coffee and had never done a tasting before, and James explained everything so well and even said if we couldn't pick out particular notes that there's nothing wrong with us 🙂 specialty coffee can be snobby at times and Driftaway seems wonderfully the opposite!" - @heyitslizb
HOW IT WORKS
1
Sign up for a coffee subscription, or just buy a Coffee Explorer box.
2
Prepare for the tasting with supplies you have in your kitchen. No coffee maker needed!
3
Join a tasting - either on Zoom on Saturdays, or self-guided or in-person (coming soon)
THE PERFECT WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE EXPLORER KIT
All Driftaway subscriptions start with an explorer box - five unique coffees from around the world.
Here's a chance to smell and taste them side by side in a "cupping", similar to how professionals taste and evaluate coffees.
BECOME A COFFEE CONNOISSEUR
This tasting is fun and easy to join! Just using the four Driftaway coffees that come in the Explorer Box and what you have already in your kitchen, you can join in and taste with us!
You will learn all about each of the coffees you've tasted, including their where they are from, how they have been roasted and more!
FAQ
Help! I can't find my tasting form & flavor wheel!
If your Explorer Box didn't include a tasting form, you can go here and print one out. The Flavor Wheel is on the back of the brochure that comes in the Box - and it's also available at the same link for printing.
What is the difference between the four types of tastings?
The Zoom tasting is the only one that is live with one of our Educators, and happens every other Saturday. The other three tastings are self-guided - you'll choose between them depending on if you prefer to spend 10, 30 or 45 minutes. The main difference between these three is the time you'll spend: for the Express Tasting (just 10 minutes), you'll make and drink the coffee as you normally would, utilizing our tips for learning a bit more about what you're tasting. For the Quick (30 min) & Comprehensive (45 min), you'll make all 5 coffees at the same time, steeping them side-by-side in your own mugs. For these, you'll go deeper into examining the aspects of a coffee's flavor and your own preferences.
My Explorer Box hasn't been delivered yet - should I still join the Zoom tasting?
You definitely can still join and follow along. You can also reschedule yourself to the following Saturday by clicking here, or choose to watch the recording.
Do I need to make five different cups of coffee with my coffee maker?
No - you won't need a coffee maker or filter at all. You'll be steeping each coffee in a mug, and then sipping off the top with a spoon.
How much water do I need to have?
You need 1.5L or 50oz.
Do I need a grinder?
We offer ground coffee as well as whole bean. You'll need a medium grind size for the tasting, so as long as you chose "Grind for Drip" when you purchased the Explorer Box or subscription, you'll be good.
My coffees are ground fine for espresso - can I still participate?
Yes, you should choose the "Express" self guided tasting. You can make yourself an espresso from each bag of coffee, either on the same day or different days. You can always leave the form and come back the next day - it saves your progress!
My coffees are ground coarse for French press - can I still participate?
Yes, you should choose the "Express" self guided tasting. You can make yourself an espresso from each bag of coffee, either on the same day or different days. You can always leave the form and come back the next day - it saves your progress!
I have coffees ground fine for espresso - can I do the Zoom tasting, or the Quick or Comprehensive self guided tasting?
Unfortunately, no. For this type of tasting, where we steep the coffees right in a mug with no filter required, the coffee needs to be ground medium. You can definitely follow along, but we don't recommend using such a fine grind for this side-by-side comparative tasting.
I have coffees ground coarse for French press - can I do the Zoom tasting, or the Quick or Comprehensive self guided tasting?
Unfortunately, no. For this type of tasting, where we steep the coffees right in a mug with no filter required, the coffee needs to be ground medium. You can definitely follow along, but we don't recommend using such a coarse grind for this side-by-side comparative tasting.
Do I need a kettle?
You can heat your water in a pot if you don't have a kettle.
I don't have a kitchen scale - can I still participate?
Yes! You'd need a tablespoon scoop and a measuring pitcher.
Is there a cost for the Zoom tasting?
No, all tastings are free.
Can I invite a friend to join?
Absolutely! Your friend can either share your coffees, or you can purchase an additional Explorer Kit here.