RISE Coffee Box: September coffee reveal

Our September box is here, and it’s a special one! This month we’re taking you on a journey from the mountains of Costa Rica to the high altitudes of Ethiopia, with coffees roasted by some of the UK’s most passionate independent roasters. Alongside your beans, we’ve packed in brewing tips, recipes, and even a chance to win a Sage Bambino espresso machine worth £329 for whoever refers the most friends by December 15th will win! Share your unique code here

🎁 This Month’s Chosen Coffees

🌍 River Coffee Roasters: Costa Rica, Carlos Montero

River Coffee Roasters was founded by Will, who spent a year living with farmers in Colombia and Costa Rica, learning coffee from the ground up. Now based in Hampshire, River is dedicated to fully traceable, specialty coffee.

This month’s pick comes from Carlos Montero and his family in Tarrazú, Costa Rica who are pioneers of honey processing and leaders in sustainable, shade-grown coffee. With tasting notes of smooth chocolate, sugar, and citrus, this coffee captures the best of Costa Rican.

Fun fact: Alice & Ben stayed with Carlos and his family for three days, enjoying fresh brews every morning straight from the farm!

Earlier this year, RISE founders Alice and Ben had the unforgettable experience of staying with Carlos Montero and his family at their home in Tarrazú, Costa Rica. Each morning began with Carlos brewing fresh coffee from his own harvest, often shared around the breakfast table with his granddaughter and Alice and Ben’s little boy who quickly became fast friends. Living alongside the Montero family offered a rare glimpse into the love, care, and tradition that goes into every cup. It’s this personal connection that makes featuring Carlos’ coffee in the September box so meaningful.

Roast: Medium
Process: Honey processed
Altitude: 1,500–1,700 masl
Tasting notes: Chocolate, sugar, citrus

🌍 Moon Roast – Ethiopia, Beshasha

Founded in 2012, Moon Roast is a family-run roastery in the Hampshire Downs with four generations of coffee heritage. Close to Alice’s hometown, this roastery holds a special place in RISE history.

Their Ethiopian Beshasha coffee is grown by Mustefa Abakeno in Jimma, Western Ethiopia at over 2,000 masl. Known for innovative washed processing, Mustefa creates vibrant, floral coffees with juicy fruit notes and a clean finish. Expect flavours of treacle, almond, and apricot in this beautifully balanced omni roast.

Roast: Medium
Process: Washed
Altitude: 2,000–2,100 masl
Tasting notes: Treacle, almond, apricot

Read all about Moon Roast coffee here

🌱 Decaf Coffee Picks

Prefer coffee without the buzz? Our decaf options this month are just as exciting:

• River Coffee, Mexico – Finca La Laja: Chocolate, sweet berries & lemon. Decaffeinated using mountain water for a clean, chemical-free cup.

• Moon Roast, Colombia – Popayan: Milk chocolate & caramel. Decaffeinated using the natural sugarcane process, supporting 65 smallholder farmers with up to 20% premiums.

🔧 Roaster’s Brew Tips

This month’s expert tips come from Dan, Head Roaster at Moon Roast. A few highlights:

• Espresso: 18.5g coffee, 36 seconds, for a sweet, balanced shot.

• AeroPress: Try the inverted method for brighter, cleaner brews.

• V60: Use a gooseneck kettle for better control, bloom for 30–45 seconds.

• Cafetiere: Skim the surface before plunging for a cleaner cup.

🍸 What’s Trending: Pistachio Iced Coffee

Cool down with this month’s featured recipe: the Pistachio Latte (hot or iced). Combine a double espresso with milk, pistachio syrup or paste, and garnish with cream or crushed pistachios. Rich, nutty, and indulgent, perfect with River’s Costa Rican bag.

Read full recipe here

☕ Coffee Community Highlights

🌟 Our Coffee Evening with Formative

Last month, 40 RISE members joined us at Formative Coffee in London for a tasting event with Head of Coffee Nick and World Barista Champion Ian Kissick. Guests sampled competition-level coffees and learned about brewing, sourcing, and sustainability. We’ll be hosting more events throughout the year - stay tuned!

🎉 Win a Sage Bambino!

Refer a friend to RISE and you’ll earn £10 credit for every successful referral — plus the chance to win a Sage Bambino Espresso Machine worth £329. The top referrer by December 15th will get their prize just in time for Christmas.

💛 Ethical Coffee, Always

As always, every coffee in your box is ethically sourced, freshly roasted, and B Corp certified. Plus, 1% of every sale goes to the Friendly Coffee Fund, supporting farming communities in Uganda with educational initiatives.

👉 Ready to try this month’s coffees?

Don’t miss out - shop the September RISE Coffee Box here and discover your next favourite brew.