Made with Wind Power
Since the beginning of Kuju Coffee, we’ve stayed close to our manufacturing processes. In fact, the very first Pocket PourOvers that were made to fulfill our Kickstarter campaign were individually hand-packed by yours truly and my co-founder (and brother), Jeff. We would measure out the exact amount of coffee to the gram, fill the filter, seal the filter, and nitrogen-flush every single pouch. It helped us ensure quality in every Pocket PourOver, but quite frankly we didn’t have the means to do it any other way.
However, we’ve come a long way. From Kickstarter to going nationwide with retail chains like REI and Academy Sports + Outdoors or our 2018 partnership with Subaru, the company has evolved, and so have our capabilities in producing Pocket PourOvers. We’ve made numerous investments into our packing and production lines, but just in the past few months, we made one of the most exciting changes.
...all Kuju Pocket PourOvers are now produced in facilities run 100% on Wind Power
As part of our commitment to sustainability and the environment, I am excited to share that all Kuju Pocket PourOvers are now produced in facilities run 100% on Wind Power. This new investment means all of our packing equipment, lights in our facility and anything else that requires electricity is run on renewable energy resources, and brings us one step closer to full sustainability.
We call it “Made with Wind Power”. Look for the icon on our packaging!
This initiative comes in addition to our membership with 1% for the Planet and our commitment to donate 1% of all sales to the National Park Foundation, as we will always strive to do right by our planet.
So next time you brew a Pocket PourOver, look for the “Made with Wind Power” icon and know that your cup of coffee not only tastes delicious, but is sustainable too.
To journeys near and far,
Justin Wiguna
Co-founder
Behind our “Send A Cup” Campaign - Why We Do It
Every year, Kuju launches our annual Send A Cup campaign - when we invite our fans and customers to choose someone to send a Pocket PourOver to, along with a special note they write (or type!) - all compliments of Kuju Coffee. Last year all 100 sends were claimed within the first few minutes of launch, so we’re stoked to do it again this year! Check it out here.
The most touching part of this are the notes people write. It’s frankly touching to see that Kuju could facilitate and be a part of some of these special relationships, so we thank you for letting us be part of that. Below are just a few to peruse and maybe act as some inspiration:
- Thank you for all your hard work and long hours to support our family. You are amazing, and I love you forever!
- Thanks for always being there for me and being such a great adventure companion 💙
- Surprise! Sending you a special treat because you deserve it: today and everyday!! You are my sunshine.
- You always have a smile on your face in the morning and tell me you love me, here’s something to brighten your day. I love you.
At the heart of Send A Cup is our mission - to inspire moments of rest & rejuvenation. We love the Pocket PourOver not only because it lets us experience fantastic coffee wherever we wander, but because the process of brewing it inherently asks us to take a moment to rest and be a bit more present.
The sequenced act of opening the filter, anchoring to your mug of choice, and then pouring hot water over the fresh bed of coffee grounds inside reminds us that all good things take time. It creates space for us to have a moment with ourselves or perhaps another and remember what truly matters to us.
Sharing this experience of rest & rejuvenation is what’s at the heart of Send A Cup and we are very glad to make it happen again. So think of someone who matters to you and send them a cup of Kuju - this week!
It’s on us. :)
How to Have Quality Coffee While Traveling During the Holidays
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful. You’re rushing to pack, there’s traffic on the way to the airport, your flight gets delayed, and by the time you get to your destination, you realize you forgot your toothbrush! With all that said, there’s one thing we often forget about until that first morning you wake up at your parents house, walk into the kitchen and realize...there’s no coffee!
Send a Cup for National Coffee Day
UPDATE: Thank you for your interest in our Send a Cup program! We've hit our 100 submission limit. To get in early next time and for exclusive discounts and promotions, sign up for our mailing list below!
9.29.2018 - Today is National Coffee Day and to celebrate, we’re here to help you surprise a deserving friend, family member or colleague with a cup of Kuju Coffee. We’re on a mission to make Quality coffee simple and accessible - wherever you wander. And to help make sure your loved ones have a Quality morning ritual - this round’s on us! Fill out the form below, we’ll package up your note with a Pocket PourOver and send the cheers along.
**Limited to the first 100 submissions!
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee with Kuju Coffee's One-Cup Pouches
Pour Over Coffee: What’s the Big Deal?
These days there is no shortage of ways to make your morning coffee. Espresso. AeroPress. French Press and perhaps the most buzzworthy - pour over. But what is pour over? Why is it better? How do you do it? We’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to pour over coffee. Let’s dig in!
Announcing: New Single Origin Pocket PourOvers by Kuju Coffee
The same ease and convenience of the Pocket PourOver with single origin beans artfully sourced from three of the world’s most celebrated coffee locales.
Why is it that our coffee routine at home is one of our most cherished, protected morning rituals but when we’re away from home, we quickly lower our standards as we accept lower quality, “I guess this will do” options? Whether it’s in a hotel room, an airport or a campsite, we’ve all been there.
Asheville and Beyond
We first heard about Kuju Coffee from our friends at Asheville Trails. We do gear reviews for them and were super stoked when they gave us some coffee to try out on our next camping trip. We ended up packing it for an overnight trip not too far from Asheville knowing that if we didn’t like it, we’d be able to refuel in town without too much effort. But that wasn’t necessary.
The Ultimate Coffee Road Trip
Since we started Kuju Coffee, we've always believed in the idea that Quality Is Never Instant. Really good things take time and they take patience - quality relationships, road trips, brewing a fresh cup of pour over coffee in the morning. All these great things that add real value to our lives take time.
When I had the chance to take the new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek with Kuju Coffee Pocket PourOvers on a California road trip, I obviously took the opportunity. I mean who wouldn't want to take an adventure vehicle loaded with coffee for a ride?
However, this short trip was not about where we were going. We didn't have a true destination. Just a direction and the goal of finding quality moments - Kuju Moments - on the way. But of course, it takes time and a little driving to find truly quality places to enjoy.
With a full tank of gas, a stash of Kuju Coffee Pocket PourOvers, and a loaded trunk of gear, we took off from the steep hills of San Francisco and headed to the ocean with the plan to drive up and down the coast. As we cruised along the beautiful coast, we searched for turnoffs with stunning views of the classic California coast. We found ourselves near the Muir Woods National Monument amongst giant redwoods and curvy roads - perfect for the Crosstrek. After a quick stop under the shade of the forests to brew a fresh cup of coffee right in the car, it was time to head south to the beaches of Pacifica to enjoy the sunset.
A few hours of cruising down Highway 1 brought us to a golden sun setting against the glimmering ocean. We pulled off the road as soon as we could, popped the trunk, and cozied into the trunk to enjoy the view until dark. The perfect Kuju Moment. A moment of quality and rejuvenation that was only reached after a full day of driving. If we had decided to head straight for the sunset, the experience would not be nearly the same, and the memory of it would not have lived on with such vividness.
The mini road trip was not about the destination. It was about the pursuit of quality moments, which are by no means easy to come by. They don't come instantly, but they're always worth it. #KujuMoment
Why We Created the Pocket PourOver Travel 5-Pack
I think a lot of marketing out there attempts to justify the existence of a product that quite frankly just doesn't really need to exist. I'm not going to go into specifics but I think we can all remember a time learning of a product and just wondering, "What is this for?". And so I just want to keep this straightforward in explaining why we created the 5-pack.
The Travel 5-Pack was created because so many people had requests for a larger "bag" of Pocket PourOvers that they could bring with them any time they wanted quality coffee on-the-go. Whether it was to a hotel room for a few days or a weekend camping trip, having 5 in an easy-to-carry bag just simplified the whole experience.
The second piece was for people who have never experienced brewing a Pocket PourOver, the larger format just makes it easier to read and follow the directions, thereby assuring more people that they will get the incredibly flavorful cup of Kuju Coffee that is promised.
And my personal reason is actually because we think it looks beautiful. As entrepreneurs, we believe extending our work to pursue our mission of helping people reclaim their moments of rejuvenation is holistic - it happens in all parts of the business - not just supply chain and the actual coffee experience, but even in packaging design. The hope here is that the visual look of the Travel 5-Pack exudes a sense of rejuvenation whether you use it in your home kitchen, office or monthly travels.
So the next time you're brewing some coffee, grab your Pocket PourOver Travel 5-Pack and share the love!
Here's to Quality,
Jeff
CEO / Cofounder
Kuju Coffee
Just Send It
I started to hear this term a couple of months ago. It was used almost as a dare, or maybe a form of encouragement, I couldn’t really tell. “Bro, just send it”. The outcome to this mantra was usually either an epic story, stunt, or most often, a pitiful failure. Regardless of the outcome, it was used to spur people on to do something crazy, and I loved it.
3 Great Places to Use the Pocket PourOver
Coffee is a wondrous thing, but sometimes making it can be drag. Between the portioning, grinding, cleaning and dealing with bags that don’t seal stay closed, we think there are some steps that can be cut out. The Pocket PourOver isn’t specifically designed to make brewing coffee faster (it’s not instant!), but it sure as heck does cut out a ton of steps and let’s you focus on brewing and maybe even think some positive thoughts about life to get your day going on the right foot. With that in mind…
Here are 3 of our favorite places to use the Pocket PourOver:
1. On A Plane — We absolutely love brewing the Pocket PourOver on airplanes. All you have to do is ask for one cup of hot water and one empty cup and voila! You now have freshly brewed pour over coffee — on an airplane! Not only do you not have to deal with stale plane coffee, but you’ll surely spark more than a few fun conversations with those around us — and if not, your neighbors will definitely be eyeing you — or at least wondering where that great coffee smell is coming from. (What to do with the used filter? Stash back in the pouch until the flight attendant collects the trash).
2. At Home — Yea, this might be boring but more times than I can count, I’ve walked into my kitchen and just didn’t want to grab a bag of beans, portion it out, grind them into a filter, portion the water and turn the coffee maker on, and clean up… Instead, I’ve opted to heat some water in kettle (200ºF!), open and anchor my Pocket PourOver to my mug of choice and pour! This usually takes 3–5 minutes like any pour over, but it made my coffee brewing so simple. The best part is, it still tastes great.
3. At the Office — If you’re like most people and don’t work at Google where they provide an endless supply of any coffee or food you want, join the club! Most offices provide instant coffee or some manufactured version of coffee from either a Keurig or giant hot beverage machine that brews anything. With the Pocket PourOver, just bring a Kuju Coffee Hydro Flask and find some hot water and you’ll have the whole office wondering why your coffee is so good. The best part, it’s so easy to stash a few in your bag, purse or desk drawer.
Here’s to Quality!
Jeff
Kuju Cofounder & Eagle Scout
A Moment Can Change a Lifetime
A singular moment of rest can change everything. A single cup of coffee can set you up for a fabulous day. A simple act of care and love can literally change the world. This Memorial Day create your #KujuMoment and share it with us @kujucoffee.
This Summer - Are You Packing Instant or Quality?
Summer is around the corner and we’re all getting ready to commence our annual prep and pack rituals as we gear up for our next outdoor adventure. As two Eagle Scout brothers, this was a regular thing for myself and my co-founder Justin. Making sure you have the right gear is not only great preparation, but it’s fun!
But alas, all this time the only coffee we could pack was some instant stick, it was never great, but it was all we had. Even until 2015, if it wasn’t an instant stick, it was an jar of instant, still not great!
And this is why we were stoked to see that one of our fans, Ryan (IG: Ryan Noeker), had created this awesome stop motion video showing off what was in his adventure pack. It featured all the new cool stuff that we can do bring, in addition to some long-proven food staples: Mountain House, Stanley, Biolite, North Face, Nit-Ize and…Pocket PourOvers!
As we gear up towards Summer, what are you trekking with? And more interestingly, what coffee gear are you trekking with? You’re going to see some amazing sites and build some great memories with loved ones, friends and maybe even a dog or two. Why not have the coffee match the upcoming grandeur you are about to experience? Life’s too short to be content with instant.
Show us how you’re ditching instant on Instagram: @kujucoffee.
-Jeff
Want to watch the stop motion video? Click here.
Moral Taste Buds: How We Chose Our Coffee
Kuju is a coffee company. And naturally, when we first started, the biggest question we faced was, “What coffee should we sell?”
To some, this may seem like a simply question, but when you live in San Francisco — arguably one of the specialty coffee meccas of the world — picking your coffee is no easy task.
It was so difficult for us to make this decision that we simply delayed the decision and focused on other parts of building a company instead. I think Justin and I in some ways were hoping for the other person to make some headway. Overtime, neither of us did.
So what pushed us to make the final decision?
Well, at the end of the day I recall sitting in a church service and just thinking about all things Kuju. What are we really trying to achieve? What do we want to stand for? What do we want our coffee to taste like? How should it be roasted or brewed?
And it was in a split second moment that I remembered meeting a man named Paul who was sourcing coffee from a farm in Thailand. And what was unique about this farm was it employed former sex trafficked victims.
This struck a chord in me because my job before Kuju was selling fair-trade greeting cards, handcrafted by women who had escaped sex trafficking in the Philippines.
In that moment I decided for us that we would source from that farm with Paul’s help, not for any other reason than knowing deep in my gut that it was the right thing to do.
Amazingly, what has ended up providing Kuju with our unique and recognizable flavor is the coffee from this very farm.
I share this story because so many decisions we as a society make are often times based on the outcome we want to achieve. This makes perfect sense, but I do think sometimes it’s worth making decisions based on doing what we think is morally right, even at the risk of the most optimized outcome.
I believe that because of this decision, we brewed into Kuju Coffee a deeper, more caring soul from the very beginning and it’s something I hope we cultivate as we grow.
Here’s to Quality,
Jeff
CEO & Eagle Scout, Kuju Coffee