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Coffee Advent Calendar: New brews for the Christmas countdown
Coffee behind each door gives a regular drinker something new to try in December. Choose a calendar in their usual format, from instant sachets to ground coffee or compatible capsules.
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What will they do with the coffee?
The useful starting point is the drink they already make. An instant-coffee calendar needs little preparation; ground coffee needs a brewer, and beans need grinding. Capsules must fit their exact machine, not simply a machine from the same brand.
For a cafetiere or a pour-over set, find out whether the supplied grind suits that method. Coffee bags are different again: they steep in the cup, whereas ordinary grounds cannot just be stirred into hot water.
A new flavour, or a familiar favourite?
Some calendars explore origins and roast styles; others concentrate on flavoured coffees. Vanilla or hazelnut can be fun for someone who enjoys those drinks, but it is a less obvious choice for a person who likes their coffee plain. Tasting notes describe a coffee's character and do not always mean added flavouring.
Look for the number of different coffees, not just the number of doors.
Read the portion weight and brewing directions to see whether each packet makes one cup or several.
Confirm the caffeine content if they normally choose decaf.
Twelve days need not mean twenty-four cups
A calendar may run for 12, 24 or 25 days. Door count and coffee quantity are separate choices. A couple sharing a daily brew needs enough coffee in each portion; one person may prefer small samples that do not leave an open packet hanging around.
A coffee-and-biscuit calendar also needs a closer look at the included food and ingredients. Keep the original sachets and instructions with the gift, and follow the supplied storage guidance.
Arrange to give it before the intended countdown starts. If you are exchanging presents on Christmas Day, an undated coffee tasting set avoids most of the doors already being overdue. There are more ideas for their brewing routine in our Christmas gifts for coffee lovers guide.