This Under-the-Radar Find Is My New Favorite Way to Make Coffee (So Quick and Delicious!)

I wish I could say that making my morning coffee is a ritual for me — that I wake up and set aside 10 minutes to carefully craft the perfect iced latte. Instead, I’m basically on a rampage to get caffeine into my body the second I open my eyes, so I don’t exactly spend the time to brew a fresh cup, froth the milk, and break the ice cubes out of their molds. For a while, I was brewing coffee at night and sticking it in the fridge for the next day, until I got the chance to try Kloo’s coffee concentrates. I already knew I was a fan of coffee concentrate, but there’s plenty about this relatively new brand that sets it apart from others. Its offerings not only helped simplify my morning (and nightly) routine, but they also allowed me to whip up barista-worthy beverages in my own kitchen without having to spare an extra minute before signing onto work. It doesn’t hurt that Kloo was co-founded by a Q grader. “What’s that?” you might ask. I’m more than happy to tell you.

If you, too, are a fan of iced coffee and easy beverage-making, Kloo is for you. The brand is unique in that it was co-founded by Mariella Cho, a Q grader, and her daughter, Claudia. I didn’t know what a Q grader was before trying the concentrates, but Mariella describes it as a “master sommelier of coffee.” In order to become one, a person has to pass more than 20 tests on coffee smell, taste, and knowledge. Then, they become certified to grade coffee bean quality. There are only about 8,000 Q graders in the world, according to the Coffee Quality Institute, so the fact that Kloo was started by one of them is pretty cool.

What’s also fun about Kloo is that it offers four different concentrates, all from different countries of origin. I got to try all of them in the brand’s tasting set, a convenient bundle that allows you to discover your favorite blend. Although each concentrate has a smooth yet bold kick that instantly wakes you up, it still maintains its own nuanced flavor. The Colombian concentrate, for example, has notes of almond, blackberry, and maple syrup. The Kenyan concentrate is a bit richer with notes of dark chocolate and citrusy lemongrass and grapefruit. I was surprised to find that the Ethiopian concentrate was my favorite. I didn’t anticipate gravitating toward its jasmine and wildberry notes, but I found it to be light and perfectly blended. Finally, there’s the Guatemalan blend, which has notes of toffee, burnt toast, and dark chocolate.

If you opt to have Kloo’s tasting set shipped to your home, you’ll be happy to learn that it’s packaged with ice packs, so the concentrates stay refrigerated even if you can’t pick them up ASAP. You have a choice between the mini set, which can make up to 20 cups total, or the standard set, which makes up to 48 cups total. No matter which one you choose, a little goes a long way. I find that less than a teaspoon of the concentrate is enough to wake me up, although I do sometimes go for a heavier pour if I want a bigger drink to sip on. And, of course, the convenience of using the concentrates is unmatched. I love being able to enjoy ice-cold coffee right after waking without having to brew it the night before. With Kloo, I simply pour the concentrate into my cup, add milk, creamer, and a little whipped cream on top for fun, and that’s it! My drinks always come out not only tasting great, but also looking incredibly appetizing — so much so that my camera roll is now filled with photos of cafe-worthy drinks.

Simply put, if you want a way to enjoy coffee in seconds without having to sacrifice taste, try Kloo. It’s infinitely better than basic instant coffee, and the fact that it sits in your fridge inside bougie glass bottles doesn’t hurt, either. Plus, you can subscribe to have it shipped to your door every 30 or 60 days! Even heavy coffee drinkers will find that the concentrates last a long time, so try your own tasting set today, and discover your favorite flavor.

Buy: Tasting Set, $75