The Blend #1

• The Blend #1 combines coffee beans from Brazil and Guatemala – a mix that delivers a delightfully smooth, sweet flavor with a gentle tang.
• The Brazilian beans come from high-altitude estates in São Paulo (e.g., Fazenda Recreio at ~1100–1300 m elevation). The temperate mountain climate lets the coffee ripen slowly, which gives the beans extra sweetness and flavor.
• The Guatemalan component comes from the Central Highlands of Guatemala, a region renowned for quality coffee. Guatemala is considered the “jewel” of Central America: the country has the ideal climate for Arabica and produces a full-bodied, powerful cup with sweet notes and mild acidity.
• Brazil and Guatemala rank among the world’s leading coffee countries and supply specialty-grade beans. The Brazilian farm has even earned international acclaim – Fazenda Recreio won the prestigious Cup of Excellence competition in 2004.
• Thanks to these two top origins, Blend #1 unites the best of both worlds. The sweet, nutty base from Brazil is nicely balanced by the gently fresh nuances of the Guatemalan coffee. The result is a rich and approachable blend rooted in two world-class coffee regions.

• Blend #1 is roasted to a medium profile – a mid-dark roast that strikes a fine balance between bright acids and deep flavors. The beans take on a medium-brown hue with hardly any surface oil, indicating an even roast that preserves the aromas.
• This medium roast highlights both the sweeter notes and the gentler acids of the beans. The result is a balanced flavor without excessive bitterness and a smooth, full finish. Compared with a light roast, the acidity is slightly rounder while offering more body than lighter roasts.
• Because the coffee is roasted just around second crack (approx. 210–220 °C), it combines the best of both worlds: many of the original flavors are preserved while subtle roasted notes have developed. This gives the blend its pleasantly full character without harshness.
• The roasting is carried out by the skilled team at Heilige Boontjes in Rotterdam using professional equipment. They roast on a Giesen coffee roaster, giving them precise control over the roast profile. The process is small scale and artisan, which supports the coffee's consistently high quality.
• Thanks to its medium roast profile, this blend is highly versatile. The balanced roast makes it suitable for every brewing method (espresso and filter alike) and allows the flavour to shine both black and in milk drinks. In short, the roast is chosen so that the coffee can serve as an all-rounder in the daily routine of coffee lovers.

• The Blend #1 offers rich flavour notes of almond, dark chocolate and caramel, finished with a hint of citrus. On tasting, the sweet undertone (caramel and nut) is immediately apparent, refreshed by a light citrus touch in the finish.
• The coffee tastes beautifully balanced, full and smooth with both sweetness and a gentle acidity. The equilibrium comes from the combination of origins: the Brazil contributes a thick, sweet body and nutty chocolate flavour, while the Guatemala adds a subtle, fresh sparkle.
• Fans describe the body as round and mouth-filling. The coffee has enough strength to stand out in milk drinks but still keeps a smooth, approachable taste when served black. The full body pairs with a clean, bright aftertaste where that fresh citrus accent re-emerges.
• The aromas of this blend are equally inviting. During brewing you smell notes of roasted nuts and cocoa, mingled with a hint of fruitiness. That scent carries into the cup: first you taste the sweetness of nuts and chocolate, followed by a gentle citrus-like freshness.
• Because of the careful blend of two different coffees, Blend #1 delivers a complex flavour profile. You get both the full, chocolate-like characteristics and the floral, fresh nuances in a single cup. This layered taste and aroma make the coffee appealing to newcomers and connoisseurs alike.

• The coffee beans in Blend #1 are processed in different ways, adding to the complexity. The Brazilian beans undergo natural processing, meaning the coffee cherries are dried whole in the sun. This drying with the fruit flesh intact gives the beans a pronounced sweet, full character with notes of ripe fruit and a rich body.
• The Guatemalan beans, by contrast, are washed processed. After harvest the pulp is removed and the beans are fermented and rinsed in water, giving them a cleaner flavour profile. Washed coffees from Guatemala are known for their clear flavours, sparkling citrus acidity and clean finish.
• Guatemala's humid climate makes washing the standard method there, as natural drying would be too unreliable under those conditions. In Brazil the climate is better suited to dry processing, and Fazenda Recreio therefore uses this method extensively, with roughly half of their coffee dried as naturals.
• Naturally processed beans, like those from Brazil, often yield a sweet, full-bodied cup with intense fruity flavors and a gentler acidity. Washed beans from Guatemala, by contrast, produce a slightly lighter body but feature more refined, vibrant acids and distinct flavor nuances.
• By combining beans processed in two different ways, this blend develops a beautifully layered profile. The fruity, plush sweetness of the natural Brazilian coffee is balanced by the bright, crisp accents of the washed Guatemalan coffee. The interplay of these methods delivers a rich cup with both chocolate-like sweetness and clean, refreshing notes, the best of both worlds in a single blend.

• The Blend #1 is composed of 100 % high-quality Arabica coffee beans. Heilige Boontjes works exclusively with specialty Arabica beans for their superior flavor and quality.
• Arabica coffee is renowned for its refined, complex flavor profile and significantly lower bitterness than Robusta. Because Arabica plants grow at higher elevations, usually above 1,000 meters, the beans develop subtler fruity and floral notes and finish smooth with minimal bitterness.
• The Brazilian component of Blend #1 comes from the *Yellow Bourbon* variety, a beloved Arabica known for sweet chocolate tones and a gentle acidity. Grown for generations at Fazenda Recreio, this variety lends the blend its creamy notes and caramel sweetness.
• The Guatemalan beans in this blend are also Arabica. Guatemala mainly cultivates traditional Arabica varieties such as *Typica* and *Bourbon*. These heritage varieties ensure high-grade coffee with abundant nuances, from delicate fruit notes to sweet, honey-like hints, all present in Blend #1.
• Arabica plants may be more delicate, yet they yield beans with greater aromatic complexity. The high growing altitudes, around 1,100 m in Brazil, and carefully selected varieties ensure that Blend #1 offers a refined, rich flavor without harsh bitterness. Thanks to its composition, the blend drinks smoothly and accessibly while still delivering real depth.

• Heilige Boontjes is more than a coffee roaster, it is a social enterprise. The company is committed to giving young people who face barriers to employment a fresh start. In practice, many former detainees and other at-risk youths from Rotterdam work within Heilige Boontjes. Everyone is given a fair opportunity, they roast the coffee, work behind the bar, and participate in every aspect of the business.
• This blend, and all other coffees, is produced in a socially responsible manner. Heilige Boontjes purchases coffee directly from local farmers in origin countries, bypassing middlemen. As a result, growers receive a fairer price for their beans and more income remains within the producing communities.
• Sustainability is ingrained in Heilige Boontjes’ DNA. The beans are cultivated organically, and whenever possible the company selects coffees with certifications such as UTZ or organic. Quality, transparency, and fair working conditions at the farm level are always paramount. In short, the coffee must be not only delicious but also produced ethically and responsibly.
• The roastery actively involves society in the coffee process. For example, the beans of the special *Hier en Daar* coffee are even roasted and packaged by inmates in Veenhuizen prison. Such initiatives give people in detention meaningful daytime activity and work experience, while we can enjoy a great cup of coffee with a story.
• In addition, Heilige Boontjes reinvests in the coffee communities. For every kilo of coffee sold, €1 flows back to the farmers as microcredit, enabling them to further develop their plantations. This circular approach—from fair purchasing to reinvestment—means that by drinking Blend #1 you not only treat yourself, but also contribute to a positive impact on people and the environment.

• Blend #1 is a real all-rounder and can be prepared in many ways. This coffee is suitable both for pulling espresso shots and for slow-coffee methods such as filter or cafetière. The blend was created to offer a balanced flavour in both brewing methods, making it ideal for anyone who likes to experiment with different brew styles.
• Thanks to its full body and rich flavour, Blend #1 is excellent for milk coffees. A cappuccino or latte macchiato made with this coffee retains a robust coffee taste that stands up well to the milk. The nutty chocolate undertones pair deliciously with creamy milk, while the fresh hint in the finish delivers a lively cappuccino experience.
• Those who drink their coffee black can also do anything with this blend. As a pure espresso it offers a powerful yet smooth shot with a sweet finish. In a longer lungo or Americano, its clarity and sweetness come forward without the coffee turning bitter. The light citrus nuance even gives an Americano a refreshing accent.
• When it comes to equipment, almost anything is possible. You can brew Blend #1 with a fully automatic coffee machine or a semi-automatic espresso machine—the blend is composed to deliver consistent results in both cases. It also performs well in a moka pot on the stove, giving a full, strong coffee with chocolate notes.
• Blend #1 is also a good choice for enthusiasts of manual brew methods. It behaves beautifully in a Chemex or V60 filter, producing a clean cup with lovely sweet and light fruity notes. In an Aeropress or French press (cafetiere) you can expect a rounded, powerful flavour without sharp edges. In short, this blend forgives small brewing errors and performs consistently across the board—ideal for both novice home baristas and the more advanced.

• Heilige Boontjes has received much recognition for its social mission and coffee concept. In 2017 the project won the Hein Roethof Prize, a national award for the best reintegration initiative, presented by the Ministry of Justice. The jury praised the original approach that puts former inmates back into society in a positive way.
• In 2022 Heilige Boontjes and partner organisation Unique captured the Rotterdam 010 Inclusief Award. This prize was awarded for innovative actions in the field of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Heilige Boontjes beat other nominees thanks to its focus on individual guidance and directly recruiting young people "off the street" to work in the coffee bar.
• It is not just the mission that appeals; the coffee itself is also a hit. More than 1,000 customers and supporters have given Heilige Boontjes the maximum score of 5 stars online. This unanimous enthusiasm among coffee lovers shows that Blend #1 and the other coffees from Heilige Boontjes not only do good, they also simply taste good.
• One of Blend #1's bean suppliers—the Brazilian Fazenda Recreio—has earned accolades in the coffee world. The plantation won the 2004 Cup of Excellence (the highest quality award in coffee) and finished in Brazil's top five for several years. That speaks to the exceptional quality of the beans used in this blend.
• Finally, experts also confirm the quality of Heilige Boontjes coffee. All of the brand’s roasted beans are assessed and approved by some of the world’s best coffee tasters. In other words, Blend #1 has not only been tested and perfected internally but also carries the seal of approval from professional cup-tasters—recognition that underscores this blend’s status as a champion coffee.

The Blend #1 coffee beans come in the distinctive Heilige Boontjes packaging. The pouch has a sturdy, no-nonsense look that matches the brand’s Rotterdam roots: a kraft-coloured, resealable stand-up bag featuring the Heilige Boontjes logo and the blend name clearly on the label. The packaging is both functional and sustainable. The bag is fitted with a freshness valve and zip-lock so the aromas are preserved after opening, allowing it to be resealed each time. In addition, the material is recyclable plastic and attention is paid to the ecological footprint—the packages are CO2₂-neutral in production. The blend is available in both 250-gram and 1-kilogram packs, letting you choose a small trial bag or a larger stock for the café grinder. The design of the package really tells the Heilige Boontjes story: no unnecessary frills, just honest, sustainable quality with its own identity.

• The Blend #1 is easy to obtain through Heilige Boontjes’ own web shop and at selected coffee retailers. On the website you can choose to order the coffee as whole beans or pre-ground—ideal for anyone without a grinder or who prefers ground coffee.
• Two package sizes are available: a 250-gram bag and a larger 1-kilogram bag. This allows Heilige Boontjes to serve both home users and heavy consumers. A 250-gram pack is perfect for trying the blend or for the grinder at home, whereas the 1-kg bag is keenly priced for offices or frequent drinkers.
• In terms of pricing, The Blend #1 is competitively priced for specialty coffee. Direct from the Heilige Boontjes web shop, a 250-g bag costs about €9.25 and a one-kilogram bag €31.50. The web shop often offers value options such as bundle deals or subscriptions—for example, a monthly plan that delivers one kilogram of freshly roasted Blend #1 to your door each month.
• The coffee is usually in stock and ships quickly. Within the Netherlands you’ll receive your order in 1–3 working days, sent via PostNL. For orders above a certain amount (often around €35) shipping is free, making it even more attractive to order a kilo bag straight away.
• In addition to its online availability you can taste and buy Heilige Boontjes coffee in person. In Rotterdam the brand runs its own Grand Café on Eendrachtsplein, where you can enjoy a fresh cup of Blend #1 and take a bag of beans home with you. They also collaborate with partners such as the Cups & Beans webshop, widening the blend’s reach. In short, whether you shop online or prefer to buy locally, The Blend #1 is within reach for anyone who wants to experience this special coffee.