Introducing The Bites of Boston "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box & Mini Boxes

by Alyssa Schoenfeld June 16, 2020

Here at Bites of Boston Food Tours our mission is to support other small, local businesses just like ourself, and in fact our entire business model runs on that mutual support. Covid-19 has had a HUGE impact on us and all of the small, local businesses that we work with to run our food tours. As things have progressed we could not just sit back and watch so many small, local, Boston businesses continue to suffer and we wanted to do something to help.

Thus, the Bites of Boston Self-Care Box was born. Our first Bites of Boston Box was a huge success and was received very well by the community who was also looking to support small, local businesses. So, we couldn't stop there... We are excited to introduce you to our second "pivot project" box, the Bites of Boston "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box!

Created during quarantine as a way to support our fellow local, small business owners, the "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box is our second in the collection of Bites of Boston Boxes!

Born out of the realization that most everyone loves coffee in some capacity whether it be the smell, taste, feel, or all of the above, and small local businesses really need our support as we continue to weather this pandemic together, we set out to find a way to deliver both.

These boxes includes a carefully curated selection of coffee-themed items tailored to provide some inventive ways to incorporate coffee into your entire day (why stop after your morning cup of joe?), while also providing a creative way to support local Boston businesses...and you don't even have to put on pants or leave the house. What's not to love?

The "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box includes nine thoughtfully chosen items from small, local businesses in Boston to help you get your coffee fix all day long and keep you going during this difficult time. The box is a great way to treat yourself or to gift to someone who's a fellow coffee-lover.

We have three offerings currently -- the Bites of Boston "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box, the Bites of Boston "Cool Beans" Coffee Indulgence Box, and the Bites of Boston "Lil Beans" Mini Coffee Lovers Box

The full-sized Bites of Boston "Beantown" Coffee Lovers Box includes the following items:

Soy Wax Candle in 'Smokey Jo' Scent by Cannon Candles Founded by Madison Cannon

Coming from Connecticut, Madison began candle making just for fun and to get a little creative. She develops educational leadership initiatives in higher education in Boston and has turned an after-work hobby into a side hustle. When she's not working her 9-to-5 or making candles from her home in Medford, she's baking for Deep Cuts Deli & Brewery in Somerville.

Da Lat Spice Mix by Curio Spice Co. Founded by Claire Cheney

Claire founded Curio Spice Co in 2015 in Cambridge, MA. She is an adventurous, self-taught cook who has traveled throughout the world. Over the last decade she's visited spice farms and communities in over 12 countries sourcing the best spices to bring back to her native New England.

Package of Cafe Noir Caramels by McCrea's Candies Founded by Jason McCrea

A scientist with a background in chemistry and an abiding appreciation for natural ingredients, Jason McCrea is a man possessed by the single, simple idea to make the best caramel in the world—nothing less. Jason is a bit quirky, downright odd sometimes. But you’ll love him because woven into his eccentricities are integrity, honesty, and a firm commitment to quality. In the ways that matter, McCrea’s caramels are his best work.

Java Jolt Bar Soap by Organic Bath & Co. Founded by Gianne Doherty and Jay Weeks

In 2014, partners—in life and love!—Gianne and Jay founded Organic Bath Co. out of a need and have continued to grow the company using only clean ingredients. Upon discovering that women—and particularly women of color—are marketed toxic personal care products, they have made a commitment to creating a straightforward, unisex bath and body line using nothing unnecessary, harmful or synthetic. They have become passionate advocates for health, wellness, and accessible, safe skincare.

Gourmet Mocha Marshmallows by Sweet Lydia's Owned by Shannon Arenburg

Shannon Arenburg is a second generation business owner of Sweet Lydia's. Enrolled in the Baking and Pastry program at SNHU, she became Sweet Lydia's first intern in the early days of the business, working alongside Lydia. Over the next few years, Shannon continued to work and learn from Lydia while she completed school. She took some time away to learn from other pastry chefs in Boston and even studied abroad in Florence, Italy. But, once Lydia was ready to pass on the business to someone else, she knew Shannon was the right candidate. Coming back to Sweet Lydia's felt like coming home.

Espresso Booze Infuser by ParTea Founded by Sarah Wasser

ParTea was born from Sarah's desire to share the unique flavors and healthy cocktail alternatives available with infusions. Drawing on her years of bartending experience, she created five signature blends based on classic cocktail tastes. In 2015, she was working at a bed & breakfast in Lexington, Massachusetts. Set in an historic colonial home down the road from where the American Revolution began, she created a tea-based cocktail called The Boston Party Tea. It was made with loose leaf earl grey tea-infused gin. As she watched the fourth or fifth batch slowly drip through a paper coffee filter, she realized she could have used a tea bag and skipped the whole filtering process and that was her AHA moment!

Alpha, Altura and Misty Valley Instant Coffees by Gracenote Coffee Founded by Patrick Barter

Before getting into coffee, Patrick Barter studied percussion and digital music for eight years. In 2012, he started roasting coffee and created Gracenote, focusing on a detail-oriented hands on approach. In 2015, Gracenote opened their first standing-room only cafe in downtown Boston. In 2020, Gracenote opened up their second cafe, which also doubles as a wine bar in Cambridge. Gracenote is committed to sourcing the best green coffee on the market and focus on flavor and technique in the roasting process to present you with the perfect tasting cup. What makes them unique is their commitment to the coffees they work with—they attempt to see those coffees for what they are, and undertake the task of roasting in a manner that allows them to express what they imagine and understand to be a coffee’s full potential. They have also brought a whole new reputation to instant coffee with their unique individually packaged single servings, which are FULL of flavor!

Coffee Chocolate Disk by Taza Chocolate Founded by Alex Whitmore and Kathleen Fulton

Taza founder and CEO Alex Whitmore took his first bite of stone ground chocolate while traveling in Oaxaca, Mexico. He was so inspired by the rustic intensity that he decided to create a chocolate factory back home in Somerville, MA. Alex apprenticed under a molinero in Oaxaca to learn how to hand-carve granite mill stones to make a new kind of American chocolate that is simply crafted, but seriously good. In 2005, he officially launched Taza with his wife, Kathleen Fulton, who is Taza's Chief Design Officer and designed all of the packaging.

Coffee-Inspired Paint Chip Gradient Art Post Card by A Sweet History Founded by Hannah Spiegelman

Hannah Spiegelman is an ice cream artist, who makes flavors inspired by people and places of the past through her concept, A Sweet History. Hoping to educate and inspire through food, Hannah focuses on telling stories of marginalized people that are often forgotten or largely ignored. She is finishing her master's degree in Gastronomy at Boston University and has been a tour guide with Bites of Boston for the past year. If you are interested in supporting her work you can visit her Patreon: patreon.com/asweethistory.