Review: Caffè Kosè By Kimbo Is A Delicious Surprise

This “Harmonious” blend is characterized by a delicate flavor, a balanced and harmonious taste and a soft and velvety body made with an intense aroma.

Kimbo Coffee

I’ve been a fan of Kimbo coffee for a few years now, so my decision to review this Caffè Kosè by Kimbo probably isn’t much of a surprise. My favorite style of coffee are the dark roasts from the south of Italy and Kimbo Neapolitan roast has specifically been my favorite at home long before we moved to Italy.

If you are unfamiliar with them, Kimbo S.p.A. was founded by the Rubino brothers in 1963, from which the Kimbo brand itself was born, a name that attempts to evoke the exotic lands of origin of coffee beans. In 1994 it conquered second place in the retail sector of the Italian packaged coffee market, a position it still maintains today. 

K by Kimbo

From a consonant that doesn’t exist in Italian, to a symbol of Neapolitanness, the K has a special meaning for Kimbo lovers: every day we discover new ways to read the letter that most of all smells of coffee.

The K is also being used in their Caffè Kosè, which I am reviewing today. Born about 30 years ago, Kosè officially joins the Kimbo family, becoming Kosè by Kimbo. It is meant to symbolize being  young and in step with the times. It is cheerful, lively and smart. It is Neapolitan. Its quality is guaranteed by Kimbo, its price has always been convenient.

To anthropomorphize this coffee even a bit further, Chicco Kosè, in the shape of a coffee bean, is a youthful mascot, a lover of technology, one who uses social media and gets information on digital channels. Buy online, but always at the right prices! Cheerful, festive and engaging.

My Review

I’m trying the “Armonioso” blend, which means harmonious, and I’m excited to see how this version varies from their traditional offerings. It actually jumped out at me in the grocery store because of its original packaging. Not placed near the other blends, this version did seem different in a way that interested me.

My intention with this review is to compare this roast with others from the Naples region of Italy and beyond, as well as trying to identify how well it aligns with the traditional blends offered by Kimbo that has driven it to the lofty heights that Kimbo now owns.

The Legacy Of Kimbo Caffè

Kimbo’s VISION 

Being the reference point for coffee lovers in Italy and around the world, interpreting its culture and current affairs has always been Kimbo’s goal. The pleasure of making coffee for everyone but not by everyone, dedicated to those who appreciate nuances, differences and details. 

Kimbo’s MISSION

Kimbo’s mission is to spread Italian coffee throughout the world by making available a quality product, Neapolitan, made in Italy and created with the most advanced technologies, respecting people and the environment. 

Kimbo’s View To The FUTURE 

The Research & Development sector has played a fundamental role in Kimbo’s growth in order to translate the traditional Kimbo quality into a range capable of always keeping pace with consumer needs.

Caffè Kosè: What’s The Blend

As of the writing of this article, I am not able to find any reference to the amounts of Robusta and Arabica beans that go into this blend. This is odd for two reasons:

• Typically, coffee roasters do like to disclose the blend because there are quite a few consumers that can use that information to decide if it is worth a try.
• Kimbo’s claim that Kosè was born 30 years ago seems like more than enough time to articulate the taste profile and bean blends.

The 250g vacuum sealed foil packaging does contain some clues: Their description is that Kosè has a strong flavor, a full body and a decidedly strong aroma. Let’s see if our review agrees with these claims.

Tasting Experience: Aroma, Flavor And Body

When I taste a new coffee, my preference is to try it from a commercial espresso machine. I do this because I believe the coffee roasters consider this the best method for getting an accurate taste from their beans. This is rarely possible, however, because unless they are already serving this roast, it is unlikely I can show up with my own coffee and ask them to brew it.

For this Kosè experience, I used my trusty moka for the tasting. I do lose out by not getting a proper crema, but I’m used to it. I brewed a single cup and I was surprised at the results because I was comparing it to another Kimbo roast: Espresso Napoletano.

The Kosè was less bitter and more balanced than the bitter coffee I prefer. There was no trailing flavor that I could appreciate, which is also unusual. In my view, this is a medium roast and a medium body coffee that doesn’t have a strong initial flavor. It allows you to ease into the taste, and even though I drank it black, I can imagine this working well with milk, like in a cappuccino.

Best Brewing Methods

While I contend that the best brewing methods for any espresso coffee are the big commercial espresso machines you will find in any bar, you also have to take into account how the coffee is intended to be consumed.

In this case, the coffee is ground to a size appropriate for a Moka, so home brewing is the target. This also aligns with the intention of making this coffee convenient. You can also use this grind in a French Press, but avoid using a US-style drip coffee maker because the grind is too fine for that method.

Price And Availability

This coffee is moderately priced, although it does vary. As a reference point, you can find this in an Italian grocery store for around €4. I found it available in both a Rome convenient store as well as a proper grocery store in Bari. I continue to get the feeling that this is a growing product offering from Kimbo, so we will continue to monitor the “off-line” availability.

As for online availability, the KimboCoffee.com store doesn’t seem to have it available and the US version of Amazon doesn’t currently offer it either. The Italian amazon site does, so it’s up to you if paying for the shipping will be worth it.

My Conclusion: Is Caffè Kosè Worth It?

This is a very good everyday coffee. For me, I prefer a more bitter coffee, so it probably wouldn’t be my choice for daily consumption, but if I was offered it, I would enjoy it. The smoothness of it reminded me of a coffee from a bit further north, like a 100% Arabica, but without the details being available, I can’t be certain there isn’t any Robusta in it.

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