El Jefe
El Jefe was created as a steady, everyday coffee built around comfort and balance. Named after one of our founders, it has been our dark roast on drip for a decade, chosen for its chocolate-driven sweetness, low acidity, and easygoing nature. It performs beautifully across brew methods, offering a rounded cup on drip, a sublime cold brew, and a profile that pairs naturally with milk. El Jefe is familiar in the best way, designed to feel at home in your routine.
Choose options
DARK CHOCOLATE, SUGARCANE, WALNUTS
- Origin
- Costa Rica & Mexico
- Region
- Huehuetenango, Nueva Segovia
- Elevation
- 1,400–1,800 meters
- Variety
- Bourbon, Caturra
- Process
- Washed
- Roast Profile
- Medium-Dark
How to brew it
Starting recipes for the grind options on this bag. Weigh the coffee and the water — a scale is the single biggest upgrade in home brewing.
| Method | Grind option | Coffee | Water | Ratio | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic drip / batch brewer | Drip | 22 g | 355 g | 1:16 | 200-205°F | Machine controlled |
| French press | French Press | 24 g | 355 g | 1:15 | 200-205°F | 4:00 |
| Pour-over (Hario V60) | Pourover/V60 | 22 g | 355 g | 1:16 | 200-205°F | 2:30-3:30 |
| Espresso | Espresso | 18 g in | 36 g out | 1:2 | — | 26-30 sec |
| Cold brew concentrate | Cold Brew | 125 g | 1,000 g | 1:8 | Cold or room temp | 12-18 hrs |
Ratios are a starting point, not a rule. Weak and thin? Go stronger. Harsh and drying? Go lighter. If changing the ratio does not fix it, the lever is grind, not dose.
Sourcing with Integrity
Before you order
How fresh is Boxwood coffee?
Every bag is roasted to order at our Westfield, New Jersey roastery. We roast Monday through Thursday, and orders placed before 12pm ship the same day.
Which grind should I choose?
Our coffees ship in up to six grinds: Whole Bean, Drip, Pourover/V60, French Press, Espresso and Cold Brew. Pick the one that matches your brewer. If you own a grinder, choose Whole Bean — coffee stales fastest once it is ground.
How long does a 12oz bag last?
A 12oz bag holds roughly 340 g of coffee, which at a 1:16 ratio is about fifteen 12 oz cups. We recommend drinking it within four to six weeks of the roast date. Larger 1kg and 5lb sizes are available on most coffees.
Can I get Boxwood coffee on subscription?
Yes. We run three subscriptions — Staples for the everyday blends we pull on bar, Single Origin for seasonal lots at their peak, and Boxwood Labs for our experimental releases. You choose the size, the grind and the delivery frequency, and you can pause, skip or cancel from your account.