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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
For many, the tradition goes like this: an early December morning, the family gathered around—still, perhaps, pajama-clad—opening a single Advent calendar door to reveal a tiny toy or bite-sized piece of chocolate.
The tradition of Advent calendars has broadened so much since its 19th-century origin that, today, it even accommodates coffee (and tea!) lovers. With a coffee or tea Advent calendar, you can brew a bag of beans or pop in a different pod throughout the holiday season. We've rounded up our favorite options below, breaking down their key details and what we like about each one. So grab your favorite mug, get a pot brewing, and spread a little cheer.
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This beautifully packaged Advent calendar from Bean Box comes with 12 limited-edition holiday coffees. Each bag has a 1.8-ounce capacity, which yields about four to six cups.
Taysha Murtaugh, our Editorial Commerce Director, tested a sampler from Bean Box and was impressed with everything from the presentation to the taste. "As a coffee lover, I would be thrilled to receive this gift that keeps giving every morning," she said of her Bean Box samples.
Part of the enjoyment of any coffee advent calendar is the surprise of learning what roast or blend you'll be drinking that day. Without ruining the surprise, we can tell you that there's a variety of flavors that appeal to all sorts of coffee lovers. Roasts range from light to dark, all curated by Bean Box's coffee experts. The brand offers free shipping within the U.S., with pre-orders open now for delivery starting October 30.
Days: 12 | Size: 1.8-ounce packets | Form: Whole-bean or ground coffee
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The long, agonizing wait for Christmas will suddenly become a joy when you can count down the days with the 24 delicious coffees in Yawn Brew's 2023 Advent calendar. The coffees are sourced from all over the world, including several bestsellers. It doesn't matter what type of brewing device you (or your possible giftee) own, as the coffee can be ordered in whole-bean form or pre-ground, and there are even special options for specific coffee makers including Moka pots and French presses. Perhaps the only downside to this wonderful Advent calendar is that each coffee comes in a fairly small sachet of 18 grams, which doesn't yield more than a cup or two. Keep this in mind if you own a drip coffee maker and were hoping to fill a full pot for the whole family.
Days: 24 | Size: 18-gram sachets | Form: Whole-bean or ground coffee (4 fineness options)
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Though not shaped like a traditional Advent calendar, this box of well-selected coffees is still eye-catching. The oblong burgundy box opens up to reveal 12 sachets of coffee inside the bright yellow lining. (We highly recommend reusing this box, it's too pretty to throw away). The coffees inside are sourced from all around the world, including blends from Honduras, China, Brazil, Colombia, and more. Each 30-gram pack is labeled for one of the 12 days and features a variety of tasting notes—from milk chocolate to lemon to almond, caramel, and tropical fruits.
Days: 12 | Size: 30-grams each | Form: Ground coffee
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Harrods is a London icon, but it's also known the world over for luxury goods—so you know this coffee Advent calendar is going to be amazing. The traditionally decorated red box contains 24 pods of Arabica coffee in six different festive flavors. There are notes of cinnamon, caramel, chestnuts, and more in the single-serve pods. The pods are designed for certain Nespresso and Dualit machine models, so make sure to double-check what you own before purchasing.
Days: 24 | Size: Single-serve pods (125 grams total) | Form: Ground coffee
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Keurig's simple and convenient K-Cups are one of the most popular pod-based brewing methods, and the company's Advent calendar offers a nice overview of the K-Cup options that are available. The cardboard box opens up to reveal a traditional Advent calendar design, with tear-open doors that each hide a different cup.
The assortment of coffees (regular and flavored, plus cocoa) here shows off Keurig's relationships with big-name brands, including Cinnabon, Caribou, and Kahlúa. This might not be a great gift option for a coffee geek, but it's certain a good one for a regular coffee drinker who has a Keurig machine and enjoys variety.
Days: 24 | Form: Keurig K-Cups (1 per day)
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This Advent calendar from Coffee Masters is one of the best budget options you can find, especially for those interested in pre-ground coffee instead of pods. Part of the reason it's affordable is that only 12 coffees are included rather than the standard 24 or 25. The good news is that each pouch contains 1.5 ounces of coffee, which is large enough to brew a full pot of 8 to 10 cups. The names of the flavored coffees sound delicious, from Christmas cookie and butter pecan to cranberry crème brûlée and turtle sundae.
Days: 12 | Size: 1.5-ounce pouches | Form: Ground coffee
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What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than holiday-themed coffee? This Advent calendar features flavored blends like gingerbread cookie, merry mocha mint, eggnog, and more. Each one comes in a 1.5-ounce packet, enough to brew a full pot of drip coffee. Unfortunately, good things don't always last, as the calendar only has 12 days' worth of coffee. But the same company also makes 12-day tea and hot cocoa calendars at a similar price so you can buy a pair and get the full 24-day Advent-calendar experience.
Days: 12 | Size: 1.5-ounce packets | Form: Ground coffee
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Few things are cozier than a cup of tea on a frigid winter day, and that's why tea-themed Advent calendars are so popular. Our favorite comes from Paris-based brand Palais des Thés. The company's starry, midnight-blue calendar opens like a booklet to display 24 doors. Behind each one lies a different tea sachet, ranging in variety from black and green to rooibos and Scandinavian tea with cranberry and elderflower. Get a mug, blanket, and maybe a good book, and start sipping through the days of December.
Days: 24 | Form: Individual tea sachets
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Some of the finest tea in the world is grown in India, and Vahdam sources tea from more than 150 different growers in the country to make an astonishing range of products. Its 24 Teas of Christmas Advent calendar offers a nice overview, with traditional Darjeeling and Assam black teas alongside several different tea-and-spice chai blends as well as caffeine-free herb-and-spice tisanes. Each package of loose-leaf tea is 0.35 ounces, enough for about five cups. For some extra feel-good vibes, the company is carbon-neutral and donates a percentage of its profits to childhood education.
Days: 24 | Size: 0.35 ounces | Form: Loose-leaf tea
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One of the most unique coffee Advent calendars on the market is this 24-tube assortment of specialty coffee from Norway's KaffeBox. Each tube contains 50 grams (1.8 ounces, or enough for a full pot) of a different whole-bean single-origin coffee from one of 12 artisanal Scandinavian roasters. Such craftsmanship, plus the high price tag, makes it a good choice for die-hard coffee drinkers. KaffeBox mails the Advent calendar in two separate shipments (the first 12 tubes on November 17 and the second November 24) to preserve the coffee's freshness. While it's a little different than opening small cardboard doors, popping open these colorful tubes will win you over right away when you taste how good the coffee is. And since the holiday season is a time for charity and giving, each Advent calendar purchased will provide funds to clean drinking water in developing countries.
Days: 24 | Size: 50 grams of coffee | Form: Whole-bean coffee
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Danish roaster The Brew Company is known for its "coffeebrewer," a clever brewing system where the ground coffee is sealed in a filter inside an insulated zip-top bag that the company says works like a cross between a French press and pour-over. All you do is open the bag, pour in hot water, re-seal, let it sit for four to eight minutes depending on how strong you like your coffee, and pour through the nozzle. (You can even reuse the brewer by rinsing out the coffee grounds and refilling with new ones.)
The Brew Company's Advent calendar comes with 25 coffeebrewers filled with a truly global assortment of coffees from Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. However, each brewer bag can only make about one mugful per fill-up, so caffeine fiends might find themselves wanting to bust into the next day's coffee early. And the "calendar" presentation leaves a little something to be desired: It's a box with a stack of coffeebrewers inside that you pull out one by one, no fancy doors or design. (Tea fans should also check out The Brew Company's tea Advent calendar.)
Days: 25 | Size: 20- to 22-gram Coffeebrewers | Form: Ground coffee
Final Verdict
The Twelve Mornings of Coffee Advent Calendar from the experts at Bean Box is a fantastic sample of 12 great coffees in a fun package, and it's our top pick for coffee Advent calendar. Looking for something on the cheaper side? The Coffee Masters Twelve Coffees of Christmas Variety Pack gets you a dozen tasty flavored coffees for an excellent price.
What to Look for in a Coffee Advent Calendar
Beans vs. Pods
This is the first place to start when looking for a coffee Advent calendar. If you are buying one for your household, base your beans vs. pods decision on the type of brewing device you own. If you are buying for someone else and don't know what coffee maker they own, it's best to err on the side of caution and go with whole bean or ground coffee. Even if they have a pod-based brewer, they can add the grounds to a universal K-Cup.
"Coffee pods use pre-ground coffee, and it's hard to know how fresh it is. As such, it will usually have a little less flavor than a pot brewed from freshly ground coffee in a high-quality drip brewer," says Patrick Cotter, content marketing specialist for Seattle Coffee Gear. "The number one benefit of using a pod coffee maker is convenience."
Price
Like other food Advent calendars, coffee Advent calendars vary widely in price and, even though this can be overwhelming at first, it's nice to know there's an option to suit every type of budget. Calendars that use whole-bean or ground coffee are generally more expensive per serving than ones that contain pods. Price is also highly dependent on the amount of coffee included, so expect calendars with 24 days to be more expensive than ones with 12 days.
Variety
One of the many pleasant aspects of coffee Advent calendars is that you or a giftee get to sample a wide range of varieties, flavors, and blends. If this is important to you, keep an eye on the number of coffees included with the Advent calendar and if any are repeat flavors. Some brands don't list the exact coffees they use to keep it a surprise, but the product descriptions generally describe the number of varieties included.
Shipping
No one wants a stale gift, which can be an issue with some coffee Advent calendars, depending on when you order them and when they ship. The best-case scenario is that you can preorder the calendar and have it shipped right before December 1; that way, the coffee stays fresh. If not, try ordering the item as close to the holiday season as possible (but not so close that it could arrive late).
FAQs
What is an Advent calendar?
Advent calendars have long been used to celebrate the liturgical season of Advent or the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Even though the first Sunday of Advent can fall between November 27 and December 3, today’s Advent calendars generally count down the 24 days in December before Christmas. The calendars contain treats or gifts, such as pieces of chocolate or small toys, meant to be opened on each of the 24 days. But the creativity knows no bounds, as you can buy Advent calendars that contain just about anything, from wine and whiskey to socks and succulents or, of course, coffee.
How long have Advent calendars been a tradition?
It is thought that Advent has been celebrated since the 5th century. In comparison, Advent calendars as we know them today are a relatively recent tradition, beginning in the 1850s in Germany. Gerhard Lang is widely credited with the idea of printing Advent calendars. His conception of a 24-door Advent calendar was first published in the early 1900s, and the custom grew worldwide from there.
Do Advent calendars exclusively celebrate Advent?
While most Advent calendars naturally celebrate the season of Advent, there are alternatives unrelated to Advent that use the same concept of opening one surprise or gift per day. Some celebrate different holidays. Others aren’t even in calendar form at all and solely focus on the act of opening a different surprise over a specific stretch of days.
What is single-origin coffee?
While perusing coffee Advent calendars, you may have come across the term "single-origin coffee" a lot. Essentially, the answer is in the name. All of the coffee beans in the brew come from one, single farm (as opposed to multiple farms in various regions).
"With coffee, I think people lean toward single-origin beans, because if they are familiar with the flavor profile of that region, then they will get that profile in the cup. It doesn’t always equate to better taste, though," says Nigel Price, founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers in Brooklyn, New York. "I like single-origin coffee because you can trace it back to specific farms and know the farmers are being paid a living wage."
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches various coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. For this piece, he researched the history of Advent and Advent calendars. He also consulted customer reviews and brand information on coffee sourcing to select these products.
The Spruce Eats commerce editor Jason Horn updated this roundup. He lives in Los Angeles and starts work at 7 a.m. Pacific time, so he drinks a lot of coffee.
Allison Wignall, who updated this roundup, is a huge fan of flavored coffee. She wishes peppermint mocha was available all year round.
Sources
Nigel Price is the founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers in Brooklyn, New York, and has worked in the coffee industry for more than a decade. Established in 2015, Drip now has multiple locations.
Patrick Cotter is the Content Marketing Specialist for Seattle Coffee Gear. He manages the company's blog, social media, and content pages. Founded in 2005, Seattle Coffee Gear is a retailer that focuses on coffee education.
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