Bean Brothers

What's in the box: Roasted whole bean coffee chosen by Bean Brothers, usually drawn from its monthly seasonal single origins or its year-round blends.

Bean Brothers is a well-known specialty roaster based in Mapo-gu, Seoul. It sells beans online and runs a coffee subscription alongside its regular shop. The idea behind the subscription is simple: you leave the bean choice to the roaster and get coffee in the setup you want, whenever you need it. The front page doesn't list plan options, delivery frequency or subscription pricing, so check the subscribe page before you sign up. The shop range shows what you're likely to get. There is a monthly seasonal lineup, and October's includes single origins from Ethiopia, Costa Rica and East Timor. Their tasting notes include stone fruit, blackcurrant and milk chocolate, and each bag costs 21,000 to 23,000 won. There are also four year-round blends, from the brighter, citrusy Velvet White to the dark-roasted Seventy, priced at 16,000 to 18,000 won. Drip bags are sold too, which helps if you want coffee at work or while traveling. Customer service is by phone on weekdays from 9:30 to 17:30, and offices have their own line for subscription questions. The site is in Korean and aimed at buyers in Korea. Prices are at the specialty end of the market. If you live in Korea and want rotating specialty beans from an established roaster without choosing them yourself each month, this is a solid choice.